SPIDER experts are urging southeast Queensland residents to be on guard as the population of venomous redback spiders hits a 15-year peak.

Four victims of potentially lethal spider bites have been recorded in the southeast this year, with the Gold Coast’s Pacific Pines and Upper Coomera emerging as the hot spots.

SNAKES ALIVE: Spot the eastern brown

Gold Coast Pest Management Solutions owner Michael Azzopardi said calls for extermination of redback spiders had spiked with 35 per cent more than the same time last year.

“It’s a lot busier than last year,” he said.

“There is definitely an increase of activity so I’m not surprised other experts are saying there are more of them.”

Expert Queensland arachnologist Robert Raven, who has been studying the species for two decades, said rain was responsible for the explosion in spider numbers.

He said they had been kept in check by years of drought.

“It’s extremely likely that people are going to be seeing them. It’s the largest increase in numbers in about 15 years,” he said.

While no one has died from a confirmed spider bite in Australia since 1979, he said fatal bites were still “on the cards”.

Dr Raven warned that children were at particular risk of coming into contact with redbacks which preferred to live in playgrounds, toys, crevices and outdoor furniture.

Funnel webs were also having a bumper year, but Dr Raven said they were less likely to come into contact with humans, as they usually lived in forests.

Mr Azzopardi said residents of hinterland areas should be on the lookout for funnel webs.

“We’re quite lucky with funnel web spiders because they are more common down south in New South Wales,” Mr Azzopardi said.

Battle of the deadly spider and the poisonous snake In footage, filmed by Australian farmer Neale Postlethwaite, the eight-legged redback spider can be seen perched on the eastern brown snake, which is trapped by its tail in a carefully spun web.

St John Ambulance first aid expert Paul Neuendorf said redback bites caused intense pain and required immediate attention.

Symptoms included profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and severe localised pain at the bite.

“Casualties should seek medical attention, especially young children and the elderly,” he said.

The Queensland Museum has a 24-hour emergency telephone identification service for spider bites on 0412 848 467.