The hotter months see a rise in the incidence of accidental encounters with spiders.
Funnel Web spiders particularly are on the move in summer as they search for a mate.
Redback Spiders also thrive in warm conditions.
Ambulance officers recommend some simple precautions to avoid a painful or possibly fatal spider bite:
Do not poke at or aggravate a spider.
Check all clothing and footwear, particularly if the items have been lying on the floor.
Make a habit of checking in and around outdoor toilets and garden sheds before using them.
Wear protective gloves when gardening or landscaping and check them also before putting them on.
Sensible footwear is advised when in the garden and in the bush.
If the spider can be caught safely, dead or alive, it should be taken with the patient to assist with identification and treatment.
People should be aware that initial treatments for Funnel Web bites and Red Back bites are very different.
Email a friend