Now Australia hit by explosion of deadly alien-like funnel web spiders invading homes after fires and floods
ALIEN-looking spiders are invading homes in Australia after being driven from their natural habitat by heavy rain and soaring temperatures.
The shocking revelations come as those living Down Under are still reeling from the onslaught of the fires and floods which pushed the country to the brink.
Aussies are now being warned to watch out for a bug“bonanza” with recent wet weather creating perfect conditions for the deadly spider to thrive inside.
The Australian Reptile Park has even issued an urgent warning to the public to be on their guard.
Today’s alert comes after photographer Haley Bella Rouge shared terrifying snaps after finding the world’s most venomous spider in her mother-in-law’s pool north of Sydney.
The mum-of-two told Daily Mail Australia she prodded the giant spider with a stick to make sure it was dead before taking close-up shots of its large red and black fangs.
“I didn’t know the spider was in there until I emptied the pool net, but I’ve heard people say before to make sure to check leaf litter on the bottom of pools.”
However she claims she’s not actually scared of spiders but “thought it was cool to see because it’s not often you see one up close.”
Reptiles and spider keeper Jake Meney revealed the public needed to remain vigilant, aware and safe when dealing with funnel webs.
“The weekend rain brings humid conditions where funnel web spiders thrive,” he said.
How dangerous is a funnel web spider?
The funnel web spider is native to Australia and it’s regarded as the world’s most dangerous arachnid in the world because it can kill in just 15 minutes.
There are around 30 species of funnel spider and just one bite can be fatal to humans.
Between 1927 and 1981 there are thought to have been 15 deaths from bites.
Male funnel spiders have a much more poisonous bite than females but they live for around eight years less.
They live within a 100 miles (160km) range of Sydney and are most likely to be found under houses, in crevices between rocks or in holes in trees.
And humans are more susceptible to bites than other animals such as cats and dogs.
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While Warren Bailey, owner of ABC Pest Control Sydney, warned: “The funnel webs are now out with the recent rains, (and) they can go into people’s houses on the ground or from the roof.”