The presence of a funnel web spider hole near a home causes concern, given the reputation of certain species. These spiders remain concealed in their burrows, using the silk-lined entrance as an ambush point for prey. While many funnel-web species exist globally, the most dangerous are the Australian Atrax species, such as the Sydney funnel-web. Addressing the burrows effectively involves proper identification, strict safety protocols, and targeted elimination methods.
Confirming the Pest and Essential Safety Measures
Identifying a funnel web spider burrow relies on recognizing its distinct silk structure. The entrance is a simple opening in the ground, but its key feature is a series of irregular, messy silk threads, or trip lines, that radiate outward across the surface. Burrows are commonly located in cool, moist, and sheltered spots, such as under rocks, logs, or dense shrubbery. A small, neat hole with a tidy silk collar and no radiating lines likely belongs to a trapdoor or mouse spider.
Prioritize personal safety before attempting any action near a suspected burrow. Wear thick gloves and shoes when working in the garden, as the fangs of a large funnel-web can penetrate soft materials. If a bite occurs, especially from a highly venomous Australian species, immediate medical attention is necessary. The recommended first aid protocol is to apply a pressure immobilization bandage to the affected limb to slow the spread of venom.
Physical Methods for Disturbing and Eliminating Burrows
The most direct, non-chemical method for eliminating a ground-dwelling funnel web spider is thermal destruction. Pouring boiling water directly into the burrow is a widely accepted technique to kill the spider inside. Use caution when performing this method, as any spider not immediately killed may be driven out and attempt to escape.
Flooding the burrow with cold water is ineffective for eradication. Funnel-web spiders, particularly the Sydney species, can survive submerged for extended periods by trapping an air bubble near their abdomen. Filling the hole with soil or sand also does not guarantee the spider’s demise. The spider may simply dig out or abandon the burrow and relocate to a nearby area, potentially bringing it closer to the home.
Targeted Chemical Treatments for Burrow Eradication
Chemical control for funnel-web burrows must be targeted, as general surface spraying is often ineffective against the spiders. Many general insecticides are not lethal due to the spider’s thick, protective exoskeleton, and can sometimes cause them to wander. The preferred chemical approach involves using a registered insecticidal dust or a potent liquid insecticide applied directly into the burrow entrance.
Residual dusts are effective because they adhere to the spider’s body as it moves through the silk-lined tunnel, eventually leading to death. A bulb duster should be used to puff a generous amount of the product directly down the hole, ensuring the powder coats the silk webbing inside. For liquid treatments, a high-concentration solution of a pyrethroid-based insecticide can be flushed down the burrow. This application aims to coat the spider and the inner silk lining completely, providing a lethal dose as the spider attempts to clean itself.
Long-Term Prevention and Professional Intervention
Preventative landscaping is a strategy to make your property less appealing to burrowing spiders. Funnel-webs are attracted to cool, damp, and sheltered environments, so removing potential harborage points is beneficial. Clear away leaf litter, woodpiles, and dense ground cover immediately adjacent to the home’s foundation.
Good drainage is essential, as saturated soil can force spiders to abandon burrows and seek refuge in dry areas, sometimes leading them indoors. Homeowners should consider professional intervention if they observe a high density of burrows or if they are located in high-traffic areas, such as near doorways or children’s play spaces. Licensed pest control operators can use professional-grade, long-residual insecticides to create an effective barrier treatment around the home’s perimeter. This eliminates the spiders’ insect food source, making the area less hospitable, and intercepts wandering male spiders before they can enter the dwelling.