Deadly spiders flee into homes after flooding Sydney | Abroad

Continued rainfall has caused massive flooding in New South Wales, which is home to around a third of all Australians. Some Sydney suburbs are still underwater. The weather appears to be improving in the Australian state on Wednesday and the sun is shining for the first time after days of rain. However, relief was short-lived for some after receiving an ‘urgent warning’ about Australian tunnel spiders.

“The warm weather ahead and high humidity provide the perfect conditions for a massive increase in the number of tunnel spiders,” said Tim Faulkner, director of the Australian Reptile Park. “The incredible floods we have seen in the Sydney area have driven the spiders out of their burrows and are taking refuge in drier places. Unfortunately, this means that they quickly find their way to their homes. “

Thousands of spiders

In recent days, images of thousands of spiders trying to escape the rising waters have already been shared by many on social media. Spider phobics were terrified of photos of eight-legged creatures scaling fences and buildings.

The tunnel web spider is greatly feared in Sydney for its powerful and fast-acting venom. As far as is known, the spider has killed at least 13 human victims. Since an antidote was developed in the 1980s, there have been no more tunnel spider bite deaths. The Australian Reptile Park, which provides the antidote, encourages people “who feel safe enough” to catch the spiders and take them to collection points.