Check your pools now! Expert warns that heatwave will trigger funnel-web plague in backyard pools
- Residents across Australia's east warned of deadly funnel-web spider in pools
- Warmer weather in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and SA means they have emerged
- Australian Reptile Park has said funnel-webs favour cool and damp areas
Residents across Australia have been warned against deadly funnel-web spiders' attempts to seek shade in backyard pools.
The heatwave across New South Wales and Victoria has meant venomous male funnel-web spiders are venturing out of their burrows in a bid to cool down.
According to a spokeswoman from the Australian Reptile Park, the summer sun can lure funnel-webs into backyard pools across the country.
Residents across eastern Australia have been warned against deadly funnel-web spiders' attempts to seek shade in backyard pools
'Funnel-web spiders don't like the heat, instead they like cool and damp areas – just like a pool,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
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'In terms of pools they typically fall in and don't actually go swimming but (funnel-webs) do have the ability to go underwater.'
However, pools aren't the only seasonal hiding spot for the potentially deadly arachnid.
'(Funnel-webs) are pretty prevalent because they adapt so well to urban lifestyles and can often be found in shoes,' she said.
'Another place they tend to turn up is laundries because they're cool, damp areas. People leaving piles of laundry on the ground isn't ideal either.'
Although relatively common across the country, around 50 average of people are treated for suspected funnel-web bites each year.
Australia has 40 different species of funnel-web spiders and most vary between 1cm and 5cm in body length, according to the Australian Museum's website.
There have been 13 recorded deaths from funnel-web bites and it is believed all the bites were from Sydney spider dwellers.
The funnel-web typically lives underground in deep burrows with silk 'trip-lines' floating out of the hole to alert the spider when an insect or small lizard walks past.
According to a spokeswoman from the Australian Reptile Park, the summer sun can lure funnel-webs into backyard pools across the country
