Recent wet weather conditions will bring an increase in the amount of funnelweb spiders around Sydney, warned the Australian Reptile Park.

The recent rains and weather conditions during summer will create perfectconditions for funnel-web spiders to thrive, with male funnel-webs set to beleaving their burrows in search of a mate, sometimes ending up in houses orresidential gardens.

Sam Herrmann, Reptiles and Spider keeper, said the public must remainvigilant, aware, and safe when dealing with funnel-web spiders.

“Summer is funnel web season and with the recent rain brings during conditionswhere funnel web spiders thrive so now is the time people will be seeingfunnel webs more and more. We need to public to assist us with bringing funnelweb spiders to the Australian Reptile Park.”

The Australian Reptile Park is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider venom,which creates lifesaving antivenom.

“It’s important that Australians know how to safely catch the spiders so thatwe can continue to milk them and save lives. We rely on public donations offunnel-web spiders to build up our milking individuals.”

Herrmann said the spiders prefer cool, damp places like the laundry or garage,or in shoes left outside.

“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 groundbefore putting your foot in blindly as shoes can be the perfect little burrowfor funnel-webs. Pool filters should also be checked and cleaned regularly.”

Once caught, there are a number of a of drop-off locations across NSW.

Tagged: Australian reptile park, funnel-web spider

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