Summer’s on its way and with the warmer weather out come those pesky venomous spiders and snakes.
There are 3 which we come across all of the time and you should make sure you can recognise them and know what to do if you, or someone else, gets bitten.
Eastern Brown Snake
What is it?
Only the second most poisonous snake in the world!
But you probably already knew that…
The Eastern brown snake is a serious deal. Responsible for around 60 percent of deaths caused by snakebite in Australia, a run-in with this snake is serious business…
Where does it live?
The eastern brown snake can be found all along the east coast of Australia. From the tip of Cape York in Queensland right down through New South Wales, Victoria and even into South Australia.
With a diet consisting mainly of rodents, the brown snake is often found around farming communities where there is often a large population of prey. There are plenty within a 200km radius of Dubbo.
The brown snake is more active during the summer months.
It’s not uncommon to find these snakes warming themselves on man-made items that provide both warmth and security such as inside meter boxes, around hot water systems and inside pump housings.
How to avoid being bitten?
The eastern brown snake is deadly.
Early detection and prevention of this snake can save a lot of heartache.
Living in our area, where this reptile is known to be, you must remain vigilant. Snakes are extremely adaptable and are able to gain entry to almost any place they want to explore.
Keeping your property free from any potential access points is critical. A small hole in a screen door, a cracked window or even a loose floorboard may be exploited by this cunning invader.
Make sure you keep your yard tidy with no items being stacked on each other like old tyres, pavers or old bricks. Make sure you don’t leave out pet food as this can attract rodents which in turn attracts snakes.
Lastly and most obviously…
….if you see a brown snake on your property, don’t try and move it.
Call a snake catcher to come and relocate it. Many people have been bitten by trying to kill them with certain gardening tools without realising how aggressive this snake can be when provoked…
That means put the shovel down, pick up the telephone and call this guy to come and remove it: Stephen 0429 149 278.
How to identify it?
The eastern brown is easily identifiable by it’s shade of brown but can often be grey or black in colour. Some individuals are also banded but most of the species typically have a cream underbelly 
with pink or orange spots. They can grow up to two metres in length and juveniles can be plain or banded but are as deadly as a fully grown adult. Once again if you see a snake and aren’t sure if it’s venomous or not, don’t take the risk. Call a snake catcher.
FIRST ACTION STEPS IF BITTEN BY A BROWN SNAKE
A bite from an eastern brown snake can kill you within 24 hours.
So if bitten…. fast action is required.
- First thing you must do is dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and keep as calm and as still as possible whilst you wait for an ambulance. Remain calm in the knowledge that anti-venom can now be administered to snake bite victims that counteracts the snake bite venom saving the your life. Keeping calm stops the venom moving through your body as quickly.
- A bite from a brown snake is not generally painful to start with however that soon changes. Symptoms of a brown snake bite include nausea, dizziness, problems swallowing, confusion, stomach pain and breathing difficulties.
The Red-Back Spider:
What is it?
Most Australians are familiar with the little black spider with the red hourglass pattern. If you’ve never seen one before you’ve more than likely heard about it.
Although it’s a small species of spider, it’s highly toxic venom is very dangerous to pets, children and the elderly as their immune system is less equipped to deal with the toxins.
The female spider is the one that needs the most respect. The smaller male doesn’t pose a threat to people – although care should be exercised when a male is present as they often spend time in close proximity to a females nest hoping for a date…
Where does it live?
The Red-back spider has a bad habit of building nests within, or near, human structures due to their preference of staying warm and dry.
If not disturbed, they will remain in the same place for the duration of their life.
Garages, barbecues, woodpiles and pot-plants are all great places for red-backs to set up shop with a steady stream of prey frequenting these areas, also looking for shelter.
As they’re mainly nocturnal, they usually remain concealed during the day working on their web of a night time.
The gum-footed tangle web is a tangle of silk that looks fine but is very tough. The threads look random compared to other spider webs but are securely and strategically placed for support and entrapment of prey. The rear portion of the web forms a funnel like retreat where the spider is usually found, along with her egg sacks…
This funnel has sticky threads that run down to anchor points on the ground. Easily identifiable as a red-back web, these strands act as trip wires to alert the the spider to the presence of prey or threats. They are also used as lines to haul prey up to the the nest when it’s caught in the sticky strands that break when the prey is thrashing around trying to escape.
How to avoid being bitten?
Unfortunately, this spider is rather difficult to avoid as it is found in large numbers across Australia. There are of course certain actions you can take to discourage them from moving in and putting you at risk…
- Keep the perimeter of your property clean and tidy by cleaning up kids toys, litter and any clutter.
- Always check shoes before putting them on and always wear gloves when gardening.
- Never reach under any outside ornaments such as pot plants or decorations without first checking that they are free from any nests.
Lastly, don’t ‘play with’ or ‘poke’ a spider in general.
How to identify it?
Fortunately the female red-back spider has very distinguishable features. She is a small black spider growing up to an inch in length. Black all over except for a stripe up her back and the signature hourglass shape on her underbelly, the stripe and hourglass are either red or orange in colour and are quite striking. The male on the other hand is noticeably smaller than the female and is a dull 
brown in colour.
FIRST ACTION STEPS IF BITTEN BY A RED-BACK SPIDER
If bitten by a red-back spider you may experience the following symptoms:
- Sweating
- Muscular weakness
- Loss of co-ordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- In serious cases you may also experience convulsions.
A bite is a serious issue for the elderly, pregnant women and children and you won’t want to be bitten whatever your circumstances.
- Apply an ice pack to help with the pain.
- If the casualty is a child, a pregnant woman, someone with existing heart conditions, or if pain is severe, transport the casualty to emergency medical treatment where anti-venom is available.
- As always in an emergency situation dial 000
Do NOT apply immobilisation bandages. DO take a picture of the spider if you can safely do so.
No-one has died from a Red-Back Spider bite since 1956, when anti-venom became available.
The White Tail Spider:
What is it?
The White-tailed spider is a medium sized spider aptly named for the white tip at the end of its abdomen. Unlike the red-back spider, the white tail is a hunting spider who actively seeks out its prey instead of spinning a web to capture it.
It’s venom is not deadly but a bite from one of these roaming little 8 legged freaks has been described as feeling like a white hot knife so you’ll definitely know if you get bitten.
Where does it live?
Common all around NSW, this spider hunts prey on the move so is never in one location for long.
We get a lot of calls regarding this spider and see many people who get bitten. Due to it’s roaming nature it can often be found hunting prey inside peoples homes…nice eh?
How to avoid being bitten?
The majority of bites people receive from white tail spiders are due to the spider being inside clothing, bedding or on towels.
Never leave clothing on the floor and always check inside your clothes before putting them on, especially if you have seen the spider around the property.
And lastly always check your sheets and pillows before going to sleep!
How to identify it?
The white tailed spider is easily identifiable by the white marking at the end of it’s abdomen. It can also be identified due to it’s nature as a roaming spider. It’s never seen in a web and can often be seen running along walls or ceilings in search of prey. 
A bite can be identified as it can have some redness and swelling but is not likely to cause necrotising arachnidism, which is a condition which causes ulceration, skin loss and tissue damage…lovely stuff!
FIRST ACTION STEPS IF BITTEN BY A WHITE TAIL SPIDER
Don’t panic!
The bite is not known to be fatal but it can be very painful. Symptoms usually include a small lump accompanied by a stinging or burning sensation, swelling, discolouration of the skin and in rare cases nausea and vomiting.
If bitten apply an ice pack to the area to reduce pain and swelling.
See your doctor if the skin starts to blister or ulcerate, as the bite may have become infected.
Hospitalisation is very rarely needed but if a casualty starts presenting with unusual symptoms it may be a good idea to seek medical attention.
Stay safe this summer – join us on Facebook and we’ll let you know what pests we’re getting called out for by location within 200km of Dubbo.
