NSW Ambulance is asking people to be mindful that the arrival of spring and warmer weather has coincided with increased snake and spider activity and the potential for bites.

Snakes in particular are on the move, looking for food and a mate after their winter hibernation.

Regional co-ordinator for Wildlife Rescue South Coast inc Southern Highlands region Richard "Woody" Woodman said in the Southern Highlands, the most common sighting is of the Highland copperhead.

"About 90 per cent of calls we receive about snakes would be about the Highlands copperhead," he said.

"There are quite a few red bellied black snakes around too. In Hill Top there are a lot of brown snakes."

Woody said the red bellies were generally out in the mornings and afternoons while brown snakes came out in the warmer parts of the day.

"The warmer weather is bringing out the snakes, but the Highland copperhead is a year-round reptile that you'll see on a warm day in the middle of winter."

He said the copperhead was in the top 10 most venomous snakes and was reactive - it would rather flight than fight.

Woody said the number of red back spiders was increasing in the Highlands and people should be on the look out.

Since July 1, 2014, NSW Ambulance paramedics have attended 27 Triple Zero (000) calls for suspected snake bites.

Another 55 calls involved suspected spider bite injuries, and three cases of patients swallowing spiders.

This season's first funnel web spider bite was responded to on July 17 - there have been 11 suspected bites so far.

Redback spider activity is also expected to pick up after their winter hibernation.

Funnel webs, which are Australia's deadliest spider, are active year-round.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan said in the event of a snake or spider bite, people should call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

First aid for snake and spider bites varied depending on the species. See breakout box for first aid tips.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) advised snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat.

They will only attack humans if hurt, provoked or cornered - most bites occur when people try to kill or capture snakes.

If people come across a snake in the bush, they are advised to back slowly away and leave the snake alone.

Around the home, remove piled up debris from the yard and keep lawns mowed to reduce the potential for reptilian surprises.

Insp Buchanan said people should check clothing that had been left outside before wearing it.

"Paramedics have attended many cases where people have put on boots and gloves and been bitten by spiders and even snakes which were hidden inside," he said.

If you find a snake in your home or garden, call OEH on 1300 361 967 for contact details on licensed reptile handlers, or the Ask Environment Line at www.environment.nsw.gov.au.

Alternatively, if you need assistance or advice on reptiles, contact WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Inc) on 1300 094 737, or go to www.wires.org.au.