With warmer and wetter weather forecast, funnel-web spider activity is expected to increase in the Newcastle area. Jake Meney, a spider keeper at the Australian Reptile Park, warns that conditions are ideal for the spiders to become more active.
Male Sydney funnel-web spiders, like the 7.5cm specimen 'Big Boy' found by a Newcastle resident in January 2016, are particularly dangerous. Meney advises residents to be cautious and take safety measures.
To stay safe, people should check shoes and clothing before wearing them, avoid walking barefoot outdoors, and keep gardens tidy. The Australian Reptile Park encourages anyone who finds a funnel-web to capture it safely and bring it in for venom milking.
Meney notes that the park expects a busy season due to the favorable conditions. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report sightings to help with antivenom production.
