Snakes and Spiders !
Question:
Dear all For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the way. Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and spiders? What about these "wonderful" creatures??? How to deal with? Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and tricks are welcome! Thanks, Pino.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino.
Yes, they exist. In general, they are more inclined to stay away from you than vice-versa. Wear good boots in thick grass, don’t stick your hand into anything hollow (logs, holes) and if you come across a snake just back up slowly (don’t run, you might look like dinner). As for spiders, avoid them in the same way as you would at home. Most are harmless, a few might cause a nasty welt (redbacks on the toilet seat), only a couple are downright hazardous to your health (funnelwebs spring to mind).
Response:
Originally posted by Pino – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South > Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp > along the > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like > snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, > information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino.
All in the eye of the be-holder. Just do not be a holder and you will get to keep your other eye. — Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Response:
I agree with everything that Raffi has to say. I would just like to add a few more tips: – Use a tent with a zip up fly screen to keep out more than just flies and mosquitos – Snakes will get out of your way if you give them a chance so don’t go running through the bush and don’t jump over logs without checking what is on the other side. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino. > Yes, they exist. In general, they are more inclined to stay away from you > than vice-versa. Wear good boots in thick grass, don’t stick your hand into > anything hollow (logs, holes) and if you come across a snake just back up > slowly (don’t run, you might look like dinner). > As for spiders, avoid them in the same way as you would at home. Most are > harmless, a few might cause a nasty welt (redbacks on the toilet seat), only > a couple are downright hazardous to your health (funnelwebs spring to mind).
Response:
> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the > way.
More of a worry than the snakes & spiders is what AQIS (quarantine service) will do to your tent if it is dirty. Make sure that it is completely clean of grass & soil – especially the pegs – wash them in bleach. AQIS has one of the toughest biosecurity programmes in the world (NZ possibly their equal). Aust & NZ have no anthrax, rabies, foot & mouth etc. We want to keep it that way. Vicki
Response:
Each year people are bitten by snakes and spiders in Australia (its a BIG place). Many of these are because the people involved did silly things like not watching were they were walking or trying to catch a snake. Despite this, we are lucky to record relatively few fatalities from these creatures. Our snakes can’t really see you if you’re about a metre away, however they can sense movement so Raffis advice is correct (as usual:). You’d have to be unlucky or looking to find one. They usually have a healthy respect for humans and vamoose quickly. Wear shoes and socks no matter how hot it is and don’t pick up sticks and insects. Live and let live. Mozzies,flies and the sun can be a worry so be prepared. Basically you’re far more likely to suffer from the sun than to suffer from our wildlife. Have fun and enjoy the holiday.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along the > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino. > Yes, they exist. In general, they are more inclined to stay away from you > than vice-versa. Wear good boots in thick grass, don’t stick your hand into > anything hollow (logs, holes) and if you come across a snake just back up > slowly (don’t run, you might look like dinner). > As for spiders, avoid them in the same way as you would at home. Most are > harmless, a few might cause a nasty welt (redbacks on the toilet seat), only > a couple are downright hazardous to your health (funnelwebs spring to mind).
Raffi You forgot to tell these people about the drop bears! Shame. 
Response:
> Raffi > You forgot to tell these people about the drop bears! Shame.
Doh! Of course! "I fought the fauna and the fauna won."
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Each year people are bitten by snakes and spiders in Australia (its a BIG > place). Many of these are because the people involved did silly things like > not watching were they were walking or trying to catch a snake. Despite > this, we are lucky to record relatively few fatalities from these creatures. > Our snakes can’t really see you if you’re about a metre away, however they > can sense movement so Raffis advice is correct (as usual:). You’d have to be > unlucky or looking to find one. They usually have a healthy respect for > humans and vamoose quickly. Wear shoes and socks no matter how hot it is and > don’t pick up sticks and insects. Live and let live. > Mozzies,flies and the sun can be a worry so be prepared. > Basically you’re far more likely to suffer from the sun than to suffer from > our wildlife.
Spot on. Don’t overlook Jim’s advice in the last part of this message – about the sun and the mozzies and flies. Sunscreen – extremely important!! At least 15 SPF and reapply it all the time. Wear a hat with a brim. Nothing ruins your holiday more than a bad burn, which happens quickly here. Don’t skimp on the stuff, slather it on. So it helps if you don’t buy the chi-chi designer stuff that’s so expensive that you worry about not putting too much on. For the flies and mozzies – Bushman Plus repellent is very effective. I find other repellents like Aeroguard to not be as good but then I’m a mozzie-magnet so I might need more industrial-strength stuff than the average person. The insects leave my husband and daughter alone, but all converge on my son and me like we were roadkill on a hot day. You can find Bushman Plus in camping stores here. Not sure where else, maybe the camping/outdoor sections of hardware shops, or fishing tackle shops. > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with?
I usually scream my head off and lose all dignity. Then I yell "Kill it!" to my husband and son. This only applies to spiders though. I wouldn’t expect them to do this for snakes. Seriously though, it really shouldn’t be a major problem. You’ll likely never see a snake, just a few spiders. Big ones, like Huntsmen, but they’re harmless. If they bite, it would have to be because you threatened it in some way, otherwise they usually play dead or run away. In my case, it’s always me who runs away. Good luck, and have fun. Helena
Response:
> I agree with everything that Raffi has to say. I would just like to add a > few more tips: > – Use a tent with a zip up fly screen to keep out more than just flies and > mosquitos
I would add that it should preferably have a sown in floor as well, and if you leave boots etc outside be prepared to shake them out as Scorpions are not uncommon in central Australia. They are not necessarily deadly to adults, but kid’s are another thing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> – Snakes will get out of your way if you give them a chance so don’t go > running through the bush and don’t jump over logs without checking what is > on the other side. > > Dear all > > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > > South Wales and Victoria. > > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along > the > > way. > > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes > and > > spiders? > > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > > How to deal with? > > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > > tricks are welcome! > > Thanks, > > Pino. > Yes, they exist. In general, they are more inclined to stay away from you > than vice-versa. Wear good boots in thick grass, don’t stick your hand > into > anything hollow (logs, holes) and if you come across a snake just back up > slowly (don’t run, you might look like dinner). > As for spiders, avoid them in the same way as you would at home. Most are > harmless, a few might cause a nasty welt (redbacks on the toilet seat), > only > a couple are downright hazardous to your health (funnelwebs spring to > mind).
Response:
I find snakes and spiders quite attractive. As everybody has said here Keep your hands where you can see them, make a little noise and watch where you walk. I remember on Wilson’s Prom where my mate and I had the misfortune to be stuck behind a guided tour and walking along a path saw a curled up tiger snake in the middle of the path on the other side of a small log. The tour group had walked past and over it without stepping on it. Last year I went to kick off my dog who had tried to fall asleep on my swag. As the weight went from a round weight to a long weight I realised I’d chained my dogs due to the number of dingoes around that evening. A black snake had wanted a little warmth. Thank goodness for thick canvas.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear all > For a few weeks we will drive from Alice Springs to South Australia, New > South Wales and Victoria. > As we like nature and peaceful, we plan to bring our tent to camp along t > way. > Is it true that there are plenty of unattractive creatures like snakes and > spiders? > What about these "wonderful" creatures??? > How to deal with? > Which measures to take in order to reduce the risk, information/tips and > tricks are welcome! > Thanks, > Pino.
Response:
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