The funnel-web spider expert lists five things Australians need to know about the deadly creature

A funnel web hunter has revealed details and tips on how to protect yourself from one of the world’s deadliest spiders.

Scott Johnson, who collects venom from the venomous spiders, warned they can survive in Australian backyard pool water for five hours and will “walk” over bug spray unfazed.

Male funnel webs, which are responsible for the 13 deaths from bites in Australia, are regularly found on residential properties preying on females.

Mr Johnson told Daily Mail Australia they don’t have good eyesight and as a result can stumble into household pools, dog bowls and ponds.

He said the spiders can survive in the water for up to five hours because of the “book lungs” on their abdomens.

Scott Johnson, who collects venom from the venomous spiders (pictured), said funnel-web spiders can drown in as little as 2mm of water

Unlike other spiders, such as huntsman and redback spiders, funnel webs cannot scale smooth, non-porous glass and plastic surfaces

Mr Johnson (pictured), who collects venom from the venomous spiders, warned they can survive in backyard pool water for five hours and “walk” unfazed over bug spray

“It’s like a book filter, the air goes through the pages of a book and it filters through, sooner or later it gets wet and they drown.”

The moderator of Australia’s online spider identification site said they can drown in as little as 2mm of water.

Unlike other spiders such as huntsman and redback spiders, funnel webs cannot climb smooth, non-porous glass and plastic surfaces.

They usually die from being unable to scale the pool walls “because they can’t hold on”.

But he warned against picking spiders out of the water with your hands.

“They may look dead, but they don’t have to be. Sometimes people take a funnel net out of a pool and put it aside and within five minutes it’s back to life,” he said.

“It’s almost dead, but if they dehydrate they can revive and get well again.”

The critters hate the sun, so after roaming around at night, they often enter houses at sunrise to seek shelter from it.

“So they’re put under fridges, wall units, wall units, lounges and loose clothing that people leave lying around,” he said.

“They will seek dark, cool cover as the sun rises. A good precaution is to shake your clothes whenever you pick them up off the floor.’

The spiders are found in the wetter forest regions of the east coast and highlands of Australia from Tasmania to northern Queensland.

There are several types of funnel webs in the country, but only the male species in Sydney has caused the 13 recorded human deaths.

No fatalities are recorded by funnel-web females, as the male is five to six times more venomous after maturity.

Mr Johnson said the first aid needed after a bite is the same as people in Australia would use to treat venomous snake bites.

“Pressure, dressing and immobilization techniques. Get the patient to lie down, remain calm and let the emergency services come to you,” Mr Johnson said.

“If you get up and walk around, the flow of venom will increase and depending on how much venom the spider has put in you will determine how bad the symptoms get.”

Funnel-web spiders (pictured) hate the sun, so after roaming around at night, they often enter homes at sunrise to seek shelter from it

There are a few preventative measures to keep the dangerous creatures from entering your home — but surface sprays won’t work.

“Because it’s a migratory spider, surface sprays and sprays don’t affect it, it just walks over it,” Mr Johnson said.

But for those who want top-notch protection, he recommended putting up physical barriers where the spiders were seen — like a Bunnings-style garden border.

“If it’s smooth, non-porous plastic that’s at least 10 cm high, the funnel nets can’t climb over it,” he said.