Huntsman spider influx, Queensland: Residents warned they’ll be ‘bigger’ than before
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Aussies warned to prepare for an influx of giant huntsman spiders this summer: ‘They’re bigger and there are more of them than ever before’
- Arachnophobes have been warned of an invasion of large, hairy huntsman spiders
- Hot, wet weather is ideal for them, especially with plenty of food sources nearby
- The people of South East Queensland had to watch out for an influx of hunters
Arachnophobes across Australia are in for their worst nightmare this summer as experts warn of an influx of huge and hairy huntsman spiders.
The residents of South East Queensland in particular have been warned to be wary – with the warmer weather and endless rain helping the spiders thrive in perfect conditions and grow larger than before.
The hot and wet weather has also increased the ‘abundance of prey’ for hunters.
“Having a lot of adult skuas at the moment reflects a good breeding season, that means the last two years have provided the perfect weather conditions for breeding and prey abundance,” arachnologist Dr Jeremy Wilson told the Courier Mail.
“Because there has been more prey around, those hunters will be even bigger than normal, these years of perfect conditions have resulted in bigger specimens.”
A huge huntsman spider is pictured outside an Australian home. Their number is currently increasing enormously
The good news is that huntsman spiders, despite their menacing demeanor, are not considered dangerous.
The bad news is that they can still bite, but their venom does little to humans.
‘As with most spiders, (hunter spiders) possess venom and a bite can have some ill effects,’ says the Australian Museum.
“However, they are quite reluctant to bite and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive.”
Hunters also eat other more nasty creepy critters around homes such as mosquitoes, flies and sometimes much larger creatures such as lizards.
Their prey is not caught in a web, but chased and run down with speed and inconspicuousness.
Huntsman’s fangs are large and powerful, holding their prey until it is immobilized by their venom.
There are better ways to get rid of hunter spiders than the option in this photo
Australians have been warned to prepare for an influx of huntsman spiders (pictured) this summer
The message from connoisseurs is not to be afraid of the spiders because they mean no harm to you.
If you find one in the house and want it outside, they are fairly easy to catch with a piece of cardboard and a container.
But if you see a hunter in your house a few hours later, it may or may not be the same creature you brought out earlier.
Jake Gray found a huge huntsman spider (pictured) on the wall of his home in Cairns in north Queensland and said it’s been living there for about a year
Much more worrying, however, is the news that the number of funnel-web spiders will also rise in the summer.
Funnel webs are considered the most dangerous spiders in the world and their venom is extremely poisonous.
At least 13 Australians have died from funnel web spider bites, but no deaths have occurred since the creation of an antidote in 1981.
The Australian Reptile Park said “perfect” wet weather and damp weather conditions at the start of their mating season will cause a huge jump in their numbers.
Funnel webs are mainly found on the east coast of Australia in dense undergrowth or under rocks and logs.
But they can also sometimes be found in gardens, garages, and even shoes.