As the mercury rises, so do reports of Australia's least welcome backyard visitors.
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Snakes are a very common sight in the Bega Valley, but perhaps less so is the funnel-web spider.
Several reports of funnel webs have come across our desk this week, prompting a request to NSW Health for helpful first aid tips.
Anthony from Jellat came across the first two pictured - the larger one outside near his chook pen, but the smaller of the two on their lounge room rug.
He wasn't sure what species of spider they were so took them to the Bega Ambulance Station to confirm they were indeed funnel-webs, possibly both females.
Chris from Brogo has also come across several funnel-web spiders at his property over the years.
He said while the latest find was in a hole housing a tap for his veggie garden, the majority of them have been found in conjunction with a large pile of soil he uses on occasion.
Chris went to turn on his garden tap to find this spider party. How many can you spot?
"I've never seen them at the pile while I've been digging and loading the trailer by hand, but twice I've found them in the trailer while emptying it."
As the result of an increase in sightings of snakes and spiders in the district, Southern NSW Local Health District shared some simple, but very effective, first aid tips.
Spider bites
Funnel-web spiders - and any large black-looking spiders that may be a funnel-web - must be managed as a medical emergency. If in doubt, always treat as a funnel-web bite.
Calm the person and call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Steps to take:
- apply a pressure immobilisation bandage
- keep the victim from moving around
- keep the bitten limb down
- bandage the limb from the area of the bite to the hand or foot, then back up to the body
- immobilise the limb by splinting if possible
- tell the victim to keep calm
- do not move them at all
- wait for the ambulance
For all other spider bites, including from red-backed spiders, apply a cold compress or ice pack directly over the bite site to help relieve the pain. Seek medical assistance if symptoms, including sweating, muscular weakness, loss of coordination, nausea, or signs of infection develop.
Snake Bites
In event of a snake bite, swift administration of first aid is crucial and has been medically proven to be lifesaving.
In most cases the vast majority of venomous snakebites occur on the victim's arm or leg.
First aid procedures for snake bites include:
- never interfere with the bite in any way by cutting or attempting to suck out the venom
- don't wash or clean the venom from the skin, venom is not absorbed from the outside
- place a firm bandage to the limb starting at the bite site, then going down to the fingers or toes and then up the limb to the hip or shoulder
- several bandages may be required, or use whatever material is available such as clothing
- keep the limb still
- if the bite is to the leg, splint the legs together. If the bite is to the arm, splint the arm to the trunk of the body
- mark the location of the bite on the outside of the bandage, if possible
- bring transport to the patient, never allow the patient to attempt to walk or run
- under no circumstances should the bandage be removed until the patient has reached hospital
- call 000 once first aid has been applied
All local hospitals have a comprehensive list of local species and treatment protocols. Hospital emergency departments have antivenom which enables the emergency treatment of bites from black, brown and tiger snakes.
Our notorious fauna
The Australian Museum says there are at least 40 species of funnel-web species, varying from 1cm to 5cm in body length.
Males are smaller and more lightly built than females, but are the more venomous of the two. The male of the renowned Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) is believed to be responsible for all recorded deaths, of which there have been 13. The museum says no deaths have occurred since the development of an antivenom in 1981.
For more details on how to identify a funnel-web, their behaviour and habitat, click here for more from the Australian Museum
Another deadly inhabitant of the South Coast is the blue-ringed octopus.
There are several species of blue-ringed octopuses in Australia, with the most common one found in Sydney being the Blue-lined Octopus. All species are brown and it is only when they are disturbed that the vibrant blue markings appear as a warning.
They are usually found in intertidal rocky shores and in coastal waters to a depth of 15m. The Australian Museum website reports Australia has several species of blue-ringed octopus, averaging around five centimetres.
The big danger is that small children who are attracted to their bright colour displays may be tempted to pick them up. Blue-ringed octopuses may ''bite'' if handled but the bite may not be felt due to the small size of the injecting apparatus.
However, within minutes symptoms include numbness of the lips and tongue, difficulty in breathing, followed by complete paralysis of the breathing muscles. Victims appear to lose consciousness as they cannot respond to their name being called. However, after recovering, they have reported being able to hear everything around them.
Call for help, monitor breathing and airways. Apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The story Funnel-web spiders on the march in Bega first appeared in the Bega District News
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Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
