The rain is bringing more than a soaking to Sutherland Shire. Also on the move are funnel web spiders.
Liz Stevens of Caringbah found a large female funnel web in her backyard pool on Tuesday – luckily before her curious toddler spotted it.
“It was big, black and scary,” she said. “After all this rain, they are out.
“It was very still but then sprung back to life after two hours. It was pretending to be dead but was very much alive.
“My son thought it was amazing and wanted to keep it as a pet.”
She captured the spider in an empty plastic milk bottle and took it to Sutherland Hospital.
The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District manages supplies of anti-venom, according to location, and spider populations and history of bites.
Funnel web bites should be left untouched, says NSW Health, except for the use of an elasticised bandage, and the victim should remain still until medical help arrives.
Redback spiders on the other hand, are often found in dark and dry places, including shoes left outside, helmets, under outdoor furniture and sometimes in play and garden equipment. Their bites are not life-threatening but the area bitten should be washed and advice sought from NSW Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26.
