Gardener’s warning to Australians after fatal outdoor discovery: ‘Be careful’

Australians are being urged to “exercise caution” outdoors at this time of year. A recent encounter with a gardener is a stark reminder to “be on guard” against “deadly” threats.

Daniel Smith, owner of commercial horticulture business Out of Time Services, was working at a reserve in Gosford on the New South Wales coast last month when he came within centimeters of a dangerous Sydney funnel-web spider.

“I was pulling out some dead plant roots when I saw him. Luckily I had gloves on,” Smith told Yahoo News Australia this week.

The arachnid species, endemic to Australia, has long been considered the deadliest spider species in the world due to its “highly toxic and fast-acting venom.” They are commonly found in eastern Australia, particularly throughout New South Wales.

After spending years outdoors, Smith wasn’t too surprised by what he found. Especially because it was early in the day and had “lots of shade” – just what they like.

“The funnel-web spiders like a moist, dark environment where they can easily burrow into the ground and build their little nest,” he explained.

Funnel webs burrow in moist, cool, sheltered habitats, including under rocks, in and under rotting logs, crevices, rot, and borer holes in trees with rough bark. In gardens, they prefer rock gardens and dense bushes and are rarely found in more open environments such as lawns, says the Australian Museum.

“You don’t want him hanging around the yard when you’re trying to garden because they can get a little cranky if you disturb their nest, and they nest underground,” Smith added.

The gardener assumes that it was probably a man who was looking for a partner. In warmer weather they are most active between November and April. They are also most commonly spotted at this time of year when “people are also more active in gardens.”

Male funnel-web spiders are responsible for all deaths in Australia

Males that roam suburban yards can sometimes become trapped in homes or garages, especially those with concrete slab foundations where entry points under doors are easy to reach.

Although not all funnel-web spiders are considered dangerous, according to the Australian Museum, male Sydney funnel-web spiders (Atrax robustus)are responsible for all recorded deaths (13) and many “medically serious bites”.

The venom found in men is considered “very toxic” because it contains a unique component called robustoxin (δ-atracotoxin-Ar1), which severely and similarly affects the nervous system of humans and monkeys, but not other mammals.

“The absence of this chemical in the venom of the female Sydney funnel-web spider likely explains why bites from these females have not caused deaths,” the Australian Museum says. However, one should not assume that bites from females are “safe,” they warn.

A gardener’s advice for Australians after a funnel web discovery

Smith recommends always wearing gloves when gardening at home and using a small spade when digging in the soil to avoid contact with it.

“Just be vigilant and careful when you’re out in the garden,” he warned

Spiders commonly confused with funnel-web spiders:

• Sydney Brown Trapdoor Spider (Arbanitis villosus)

• mouse spider (Missulena sp) female

• Black house spider (Badumna Insignia).

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