Male funnel-web spiders leave their burrows in search of a mate and can sometimes end up in homes or gardens.
The wet weather over the past weeks is expected to bring an increase in the number of spiders wandering about.
Their natural habitat is rainforests but private well-vegetated gardens also make a perfect home.
Sydney funnel-webs prefer cool, damp places like the laundry, garage or shoes left on the ground.
People are advised not to not leave washing and clothing on the floor and if shoes/boots are left outside it’s best to give them a tap before "putting your foot in blindly".
The Australian Reptile Park , just north of Sydney, is the sole supplier of the lifesaving antivenom and request anyone (very carefully) catching a spider to bring it to them for ‘milking’.
Since the introduction of the program, there has not been a single death due to a deadly funnel-web.
They advise if you're to get bitten by a funnel-web spider, to stay as calm as possible and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and get to hospital as quickly as possible.
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