Australia’s recent deluges brought some much-needed relief to the devastating bushfires ravaging the country, and saw several drought-stricken areas experience rainfall for the first time in nearly a year. 

But in addition to causing destructive flash floods which damaged homes, businesses and left two people injured, wildlife experts are now warning that the weather poses a new threat. 

Residents of New South Wales have been warned to expect a “bonanza” of funnel-web spider sightings in the coming days. 

The downpour and hot days that followed have provided perfect conditions for what is regarded as the world’s most venomous spider, the Australian Reptile Park said. 

Spider season has arrived later than usual this year due to the dry conditions, but the funnel-webs’ mating season has now begun.  Males, which are six times more venomous, tend to go looking for a female mate on more humid nights, while increased rainfall can also flood their their nests. 

Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Show all 20 1 /20 Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A child running towards a dust storm in Mullengudgery in New South Wales Marcia Macmillan/AFP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Wind gusts of 66 mph were recorded as a dust storm descended over Dubbo.  Storms hit many parts of Australia's western New South Wales Ian Harris via AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Hail covers vehicles in an intersection in Canberra.  As well as dust storms, hail and flash floods have battered beleaguered Australian cities as extreme weather has diminished the threat from scores of wildfires that continue to blaze across the country's southeast Australia Institute via AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A dust cloud billows over a street in Dubbo Ian Harris via AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A man holds golf ball-size hail outside Parliament House after a severe hail storm hit Canberra EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A koala holding on to a tree before it was moved to a dryer enclosure during a flash-flood at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby Australian Reptile Park/EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Bushland is seen burnt by fire as rain pools in large puddles at Bilpin, in the Blue Mountains AAP Image/Reuters Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A staff member carrying koalas during a flash flood at the Australian Reptile Park Australian Reptile Park/AFP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A dust storm in Mullengudgery Marcia Macmillan/AFP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A submerged car on Gold Coast AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Damaged cars parked outside the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia after a hail storm hit Canberra EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Golf ball-sized hail at Parliament House Getty Images Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Aftermath of a hail storm at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) glasshouses in Canberra EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed A fallen tree sits on top of a car at Caringbah in Sydney.  Storms in New South Wales left more than 2,200 homes without power EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Damage at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) glasshouses in Canberra EPA Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Hail stones outside the Parliament House in Canberra Don Arthur/AFP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Storm clouds gather over Sydney Harbour AFP via Getty Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Hail covers vehicles in Canberra AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed Flooded fields on Gold Coast AP Australia fires: Dust storm and flooding that followed An aerial view as rain begins to fall on drought and fire-ravaged country near Tamworth Getty Images

“Funnel-web spiders are potentially one of the most dangerous spiders on the planet, in terms of a bite towards humans, and we have to treat it very seriously," said Daniel Rumsey, the park’s head of reptiles. 

While raising awareness of the dangers, Mr Rumsey also encouraged adults to capture the arachnids, if they felt able, and to bring them to the park. 

The park can use the venom from live spiders to create antidotes, and since its programme began in the 1980s there have been no deaths caused by funnel-webs. 

While dangerous, they’re “very, very easy to catch”, which can be done using a long spoon and jar, while keeping your hands at a safe distance of around 15 centimetres away. 

“Because they’re a ground-dwelling spider, they can’t climb smooth surfaces like plastic or glass,” Mr Rumsey said, and thus they can be transported in a jar, preferably with a some damp cotton wool to stop them from drying out. 

The reptile park has likely only recently dried out itself – gaining global media attention last week after it was struck by severe flash floods.