BUSY: Paramedics responded to more than 400 callouts for snake and spider bites across NSW this past spring and summer, including 18 in the northern region. Pictured are Julie Mendezona, head of reptiles and spiders at the Australian Reptile Park, NSW Ambulance paramedic Kelly Ferguson and John Mostyn, the manager of Venom at the Park, milking Tigger the tiger snake for venom.
SNAKES and spiders were responsible for 18 paramedic callouts in the northern region this past spring and summer.
The eight-legged creatures caused 11 bites, with their slithery counterparts responsible for seven.
Tamworth and surrounds proved to be the deadliest area, with 10 callouts.
These included Kootingal, Westdale, Oxley Vale, Nemingha and Winton.
Armidale saw two spider bites and a snake bite.
The most dangerous month across the region was November, with two snake bites and five spider bites responded to by paramedics.
Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary venom manager John Mostyn said spring was the time when snakes were on the move, looking for food and a mate.
But snake activity was starting to wind down, he said, and from the end of April until September seeing the reptiles around was unlikely.
Head of reptiles and spiders Julie Mendezona said redback spider activity would also slow down over winter, but funnel-webs were active year-round.
There were 288 callouts for spider bites and 136 for snake bites across NSW during the season.
If bitten by a snake or spider, call triple-0 immediately.
If a snake bite is on a limb, a pressure immobilisation bandage should be applied, but not so tightly that circulation is cut off.
If the bite is not on a limb, direct, firm pressure should be applied to the bite site with hands and the patient should keep still.
Under no circumstances should an attempt be made to catch the snake.
For spider bites, an ice pack or cold compress should be applied to relieve the pain.