Summer in Sutherland Shire is traditionally a time for sun, surf and sand but it is also the season for something far less pleasant - funnel-web spiders.
Sutherland Hospital takes an active role in protecting its residents from the effects of a funnel-web spider bite as one of only eight official collection points in Sydney for the Australian Reptile Park's Spider Venom Program.
The program sees venom collected from deadly spiders to be used in the manufacture of antivenoms that can save the life of a spider-bite victim.
To keep up the supply, highly trained staff of the Australian Reptile Park regularly 'milk' spiders. Since Australia's funnel-web spider antivenom program began in 1981, there have been no recorded deaths from a funnel-web bite.
But with the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in Victoria recently increasing its minimum venom requirement from 300ml a year to 600ml due to an increase in funnel-web spider bites, the reptile park is relying on public collection of live spiders more than ever.
Funnel-web spiders traditionally come out of hiding in summer as they thrive in warm, humid and wet conditions, and are particularly active at night.
There are four types of funnel-web spiders found in southern Sydney - the Sydney funnel-web, Illawarra funnel-web, southern tree-dwelling funnel web and Blue Mountains funnel-web.
Kane Christensen, Head of Spiders, Australian Reptile Park makes the round trip from the central coast to Sutherland Hospital once a week to pick up live funnel-web spiders that have been handed in to the hospital's emergency department.
Mr Christensen said Sutherland was a very important collection point because it was one of the only ones in southern Sydney, and was a prime funnel-web habitat.
"It is a very good area for funnel-webs. We got 30 to 40 funnel-webs over a three to four-month period last summer," he said.
Mr Christensen said they need 300-400 spiders a year to keep up with demand for venom because males only live about six to nine months after reaching maturity.
"A male I pick up from a hospital today will only live another four to six months if everything goes well and I can only milk it once a week," he said.
Mr Christensen said while the female funnel-web mostly stays hidden in its burrow, the much more venomous male leaves its burrow in summer to look for a mate as it nears maturity.
That is when unsuspecting people are most likely to come into contact with a funnel-web, either in the garden, pool, under towels and clothing or hidden in a shoe.
Mr Christensen said funnel-web spiders love bushy, sloping areas, creeks and gullies. Backyard pools or anywhere wet or damp are also favourite hiding spots, with funnel-web spiders able to survive underwater for long periods.
Retaining walls, sleepers and garden beds may also harbour funnel-webs, which are a type of "colonising" spider.
"Where there is one funnel-web spider there is often more. A 10-metre retaining wall could have 20 to 30 funnel-web spiders in there," Mr Christensen said.
While the current dry conditions means there have been fewer funnel-web sightings so far this season, Mr Christensen warned the first sign of rain might bring high numbers of funnel-webs out into the open, especially at night.
Mr Christensen said funnel-web spiders can only be milked if they are alive. He suggests placing a wide-mouthed jar, preferably with a screw-top lid, directly in front of the spider so it walks in. Cheaper-style takeaway containers are not ideal as the lid can come off and the container can be brittle.
If possible, place damp cotton wool, soil or potting mix in the bottom of the jar and take it to the nearest collection point as soon as possible. Do not leave it in direct sunlight or a hot car or it will die.
Residents should take the following steps to protect themselves from funnel-web or other spider bites:
Do not leave clothes, shoes, towels, etc. on the floor
Check shoes before putting them on
Do not walk about at night without footwear
Do not handle spiders that appear to have drowned in pools, buckets, etc.
Wear gloves when gardening or working outside
The following first-aid steps apply:
Keep the bite victim calm and immobile
Apply a pressure-immobilization bandage to the bite site and the adjacent limb. For example, a bite on the finger should be treated by bandaging the entire arm. Further restrict movement by applying a splint
Seek emergency medical assistance immediately
For safety guidelines and more information click here
