Trapdoor spiders (Mygalomorphae) in Western Australia are an area of active research, both from a taxonomic and conservation perspective. Requirements for field collection for genetic studies, as well as the potential translocation of individuals away from proposed land disturbance, require living specimens to be extracted from their burrows. However, trapdoor spiders are typically a highly immobile group of species, which rarely leave the protection of these burrows. Currently, individuals are collected by excavation, a process that is both time consuming, and has poor success rates, as well as having a high risk of poor outcomes for the individual, microhabitats, and progeny. To mitigate the potential for adverse outcomes of trapdoor spider excavation, a new method has been developed that removes the risk of harm to the individuals, as well as damage to the existing burrow. Through the utilisation of this method, a greater proportion of samples can be taken without harm to the individual, burrow, or microhabitat. This method unlocks a multitude of potential research pathways (i.e. returning individuals to their burrow, decreased stress in translocation, post-extraction behavioural studies), and a higher rate of success and efficiency in trapdoor spider collection.