Some may say living in Australia is only for the brave! With some of the world’s most venomous snakes, blue-ringed octopuses, sharks and spiders calling Australia home. There are certainly a few creatures worth keeping an eye out for. With our weather providing ideal conditions for funnel-web spiders, the Australian Reptile Park has warned residents in Lake Macquarie and surrounding areas to be on the lookout as these spiders become more active. So, if you’re heading into the garden, keep an eye out, funnel-web spiders are on the move!
Damp conditions = funnel-webs
During the warmer months, male funnel-web spiders leave their burrows in search of a mate. They are attracted to damp, sheltered areas, so you may find them in gardens or even inside your home. If you’re outside at night, always wear shoes and avoid leaving wet towels or clothing on the ground. It’s also a good idea to check inside your shoes before putting them on. If a funnel-web makes its way inside, it’s most likely to turn up in damp areas such as the garage or laundry. It can even hide among clothes left on an indoor airer. There have been cases where people are bitten after putting on clothing without checking it first. So it’s worth giving clothes and shoes a quick check before use.
Check your swimming pool
If you have a swimming pool, always check it before the kids jump in. Funnel-web spiders can survive in water for surprisingly long periods, so don’t assume one lying on the bottom of the pool is dead. They can trap an air bubble against their abdomen, allowing them to breathe and remain afloat for extended periods. In fact, funnel-webs have been known to survive in pools for up to 30 hours. You may also find them hiding in pool filters, so take extra care when opening or cleaning your filter.
In the garden
Funnel-web spiders can become defensive when they feel threatened, and digging in the garden can disturb one without you even realising it. They often make burrows in damp soil around the bases of plants, so always take care when gardening and wear good-quality gardening gloves. And if you spot a kookaburra watching you dig, it might just be waiting for a funnel-web snack! One more interesting fact: despite what you may have heard, funnel-web spiders cannot jump.
First aid for a funnel-web bite
If you’re bitten by a funnel-web spider, stay calm and call 000 immediately. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage over the bite, wrapping firmly enough that you can’t easily slip a finger underneath. Use a second bandage to wrap the entire limb, starting at the fingers or toes and working upwards towards the body. Splint the limb to keep it completely still and, if possible, mark the bite location on the bandage. Do not move the person or the bitten limb unless absolutely necessary. Keeping the person and limb still helps slow the movement of venom through the body while waiting for emergency medical help.
Australian Reptile Park antivenom program
The good news is that since funnel-web antivenom was introduced in 1981, there have been no recorded deaths from funnel-web spider bites in Australia. The Australian Reptile Park’s program plays an important role in collecting funnel-webs for this purpose. It takes the venom from many spiders to produce antivenom. If you safely come across a funnel-web, never put yourself at risk trying to catch it. If you can safely contain it, contact the Australian Reptile Park for advice on how to get it to their venom-milking program. The venom collected is used to produce antivenom that helps save lives across Australia.
References:
Australian Museum: Funnel Web Spiders {Accessed 23/10/20}
Health Direct: Spider Bites {Accessed 23/10/20)
Daily Telegraph: The dad who died – then revived – from a spider bite {Accessed 23/10/20}
News.com.au: Weather Australia: NSW warned about funnel-web spiders amid wet weather {Accessed 23/10/20}
Australian Reptile Park: Venom Program {Accessed 23/10/20}
