Chilling warning not to walk barefoot at night as perfect conditions see deadly funnel web spider numbers soar in Sydney
- Male funnel web spider bites are ‘100 per cent fatal’ without treatment
- February peak month for funnel webs, conditions perfect with recent humidity
- Spiders so widespread experts recommending footwear in and around Sydney
- It takes 150 spiders to make one vial of life-saving funnel web anti-venom serum
- Mild bites need one vial of anti-venom, severe cases can require 10-12 vials
- An estimated 200 spiders needed to produce the anti-venom needed for 2021
- The anti-venom program relies on the public to catch and deliver the spiders
A wet summer has caused funnel web spiders to spike in the suburbs, and experts are warning Sydney residents not to walk around barefoot at night.
Deadly male funnel webs are surging in and around Sydney homes because of the warm weather and high rainfall, and are especially active in the evening.
Despite the summer spike the Australia Reptile Park said low numbers mean they need members of the public to catch and donate funnel webs to make antivenom.
Deadly male funnel web spiders are out in force hunting females around Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast because of the humid conditions – and you’re wanted to help capture them
‘If you are bitten by a male funnel web and you don’t get antivenom you will die. There’s a 100 per cent fatality rate for an untreated envenomation,’ said Jake Meney, Spider Keeper at the Australian Reptile Park, which runs Australia’s antivenom program.
‘Funnel web spiders are not something to muck around with.’
‘Before we had the antivenom, two people died in just over an hour. One was an adult who died in about 75 minutes and the other was a toddler who was gone in 15 minutes.’
Funnel webs love shoes that have been left out, so be very very careful making sure they are safe to put on
‘Spider Keeper’ Jake Meney recomends using a serving spoon to coax a funnel web into a jar
The antivenom program – the only one of its kind in Australia – relies on the public to catch and donate funnel web spiders to be milked for their antivenom.
Despite the spike in spiders in Sydney, the Australian Reptile Park is experiencing a low in numbers at the park and has needs about 200 funnel web spiders.
‘If you are an adult and feel safe to do so, please catch the funnel webs using a big glass jar and keeping your hands away from the spider, coax the spider into the jar and bring it to us or one of our drop-off points,’ Mr Meney said.
‘You will literally be helping us save lives.
‘We have videos on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel showing people how to safely catch funnel web spiders and the list for drop-off points can be found on our website.’
The male Sydney funnel web spider is the second most poisonous spider in the world, but no Australians have died from a funnel web spider bite since 1979.
Around Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast, funnel webs can be found just about anywhere on a humid night – including near or inside the house, in laundry baskets, inside shoes and even in the pool.
The funnel web can survive for 48 hours underwater, creating bubbles on its hairy legs. This means a spider that looks to have drowned could still be dangerous.
The pool skimmer box is another common place for them to hide.
Demonstration of a pressure immobilisation bandage fully wrapped around a limb. This is needed after a funnel web spider spider bite
Especially at risk are children, who may not understand they’ve found a dangerous spider, and elderly people not taking precautions.
In January, a 79 year old Central Coast woman was rushed to hospital after being bitten on her right ring finger at Caves Beach.
In 2017, a 10 year old boy had to be given ten vials of anti-venom after being bitten on the finger by a male funnel web at Berkeley Vale, also on the Central Coast.
To find your nearest funnel web spider drop-off point, go to the list here on the Australian Reptile Park’s website.
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