Sydney warned of funnel-web spider influx after storms

Sydney has been warned to brace for an influx of venomous spiders after weeks of storms and wet weather created ideal mating conditions.

Sydneysiders have been warned of an upcoming influx of venomous funnel-web spiders in their homes.

Weeks of wet weather and torrential storms have created “perfect” conditions for the creatures, prompting the males to leave their burrows in search of a mate, the Australian Reptile Park said in a statement.

This could see them end up in homes and gardens, with residents urged to keep their floors clear and shake out their shoes before putting them on.

“When found inside homes, Sydney funnel webs prefer cool, damp places like the laundry, garage or in shoes left out on the ground,” Reptiles and Spider keeper, Sam Herrmann said.

“It is best to ensure you are not leaving washing and clothing on the floors. If you leave your shoes outside – make sure you give them a tap on the ground before putting your foot in blindly, as shoes can be the perfect little burrow for funnel-webs.

“Pool filters should also be checked and cleaned regularly.”

The Sydney funnel-web typically makes its home in cool, shaded areas, making well-vegetated gardens another likely target.

Recent rainy weather combined with intensely humid weather has provided the perfect conditions for funnel-web spiders to thrive

While the spider influx likely strikes fear into the heart of many, Mr Herrmann has urged any adult who sees a funnel-web not to squash it, but to safely collect it and bring it to the reptile park.

The Australian Reptile Park is the nation’s only supplier of funnel-web spider venom, which is used to create lifesaving antivenom – a program which has saved countless lives, with not a single death recorded from the spider’s bite since the early 1980s.

The NSW Government recommends anyone catching the spiders wears gardening gloves and long trousers tucked into socks with sturdy shoes or boots.

Any adult who spots a Sydney funnel-web spider is urged to capture it in a glass jar.

How to catch a Sydney funnel-web spider

– Find a glass jar with a wide mouth.

– Remove the lid and pierce it with air holes.

– Invert the jar over the spider. Take care as funnel-webs are highly defensive and may strike; however, they cannot jump or climb glass.

– When the spider is within the jar, slide a piece of heavy cardboard or solid plastic under the opening to completely cover it.

– Invert the jar, keeping the top covered.

– Check the spider is in the bottom, carefully drop a moist cotton bud into the jar with the spider, then put on the lid.

– Keep it away from direct sun and heat.

While most spider bites are harmless, a person who has been bitten by a big black spider or funnel-web, should consider it a medical emergency.

If someone is bitten, you should keep them still, call an ambulance and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, with a further bandage to the entire limb.

A bite from a funnel-web can cause severe pain, sweating, vomiting, difficulty breathing and muscle twitching.