About Funnel-web Spider
Several funnel-web spider species(Atrax robustus and Hadronyche sp.) may be found across Australia. The Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus, is the most well-known of them. The female is roughly 20-35 millimeters long including the leg spread, but the male is about 9mm long and 4mm wide. Males are more evenly colored with bands of orange-brown coloring on their backsides, whilst females are brownish or grey with a pattern of black stripes on their belly and legs. Males have larger front legs with bigger black spines that they employ to subjugate females during mating.
Habits
The appearance of a sequence of uneven silk ‘trip-lines’ spreading out from the entrance distinguishes funnel-web burrows from other holes in the ground. If a spider burrow has visible silk trip-lines around the rim, it is almost certainly the work of a funnel-web spider.
Habitats
Funnel weaver spiders may enter houses looking for prey or mates. Because these pests like dark places with lots of insects to consume, they hide in garages and sheds. Clutter in basements and attics also provides an excellent environment for bugs to weave their webs. Individual funnel weavers may stray inside homes unintentionally when plant watering or other disturbances flush the spiders from their webs. When looking for partners, mature males may mistakenly enter the home.
Threats
If you have a large number of funnel-web spiders, you must take action. While funnel webs are not often harmful to people, they can be hazardous. Funnel-web spider bites carry a toxin that targets the nerve system, causing paralysis and, in extreme cases, death in its prey. They have teeth that inject poison into their victim, and part of this venom also enters the circulation, prompting the human body to react. The symptoms vary depending on the amount of venom administered.
Prevention
If you don’t want a funnel-web to reappear, be sure to seal up any gaps or cracks in your home using foam sealant- it’s the simplest and best method to do it. Safety glasses and gloves when doing this since spiders are deadly! Also, bear in mind how they can get in if they have discovered a way into your house, such as a hole in the foundation, seal that up as well. Finally, once you’ve discovered their access point, catch them with a jar or sticky traps within your home.
