This little pest has given me a few nights of worry.
Paige came running in the house last week, going on about some ginormous spider she’d found outside. She generally over-exaggerates and tends to be overly worried when it comes to our eight legged friends, so I was not too alarmed. But, I was in a good mood and went outside to kill the beast.
That’s when I decided it was time Taylor learned how to kill a spider. Yes, I actually told him he should do it, because at the moment, he was the man of the house.
He opted instead to catch it in a jar for further examination. The beast didn’t even put up a chase.
It stayed on display for about a day, being offered moths and flies by Paige – never even nibbled. During a family get together, Todd and bro-in-law, Joe, put their sleuthing skills to work and decided to find out what kind of spider we’re dealing with exactly.
After much “research” via the internet, it was determined that we were sharing our living quarters with a brown recluse.
I feel a bit panicked. I made my 11 year old (almost 12) catch a spider that could possibly do this:
And that is 6 days after the bite – here is day 10 (don’t look if you’re squeamish) Ew.
I realize that it’s worst case scenario – but who’s willing to be the guinea pig?!
Noted:
- as the name suggests, “recluse” spiders are shy
- where one is found, there are more likely hiding (uh…duh)
- pesticides will not kill it unless there is direct contact (great news!)
- they have non-aggressive behavior - won’t bite unless it feels threatened (hmmm… like being trapped in a glass jar?)
- bite is painless – may even go unnoticed
- the most poisonous spider in the U.S.
I wanted to study the beast for myself, but he met a cruel fate with the garbage disposal before I could get to him again.
Really, I’m hoping that Mr. Sherlock and Dr. Watson were wrong – that it’s just a really large spider that had no business hanging around my house. May its harmless family members choose to not seek revenge for their murdered loved one.
10 comments:
I HATE SPIDERS!!! Doesn't look to nice to me.
EWWW I HATE spiders too!!!! Especially ones that can kill you! A couple years ago, a lady here pulled a sweater out of her closet, put it on and died not long after. Turns out a brown recluse was trapped in the material of the sweater and was biting her over and over. I ALWAYS turn my clothes inside out before I put them on to check for spiders now. Call me paranoid but **shudder**.
um, oh holy crap to that last comment. suddenly i'm not feeling so bad about my roaches. scariest. spider. ever. that first picture is the worst.
OK, PLEASE tell me those are web pictures and it didn't bite anyone? Right?? Scary never the less. SCA-ree.
holy cow, that story! i would be shaking my clothes out, too. FREAK. OUT!
yes, they're web photos. no crazy biting spiders, yet. but the photos are enough to get me paranoid. again, hoping the guys are wrong about the type of spider it was.
I will never wear a sweater again. Checking out the day 10 photo will probably be the best appetite suppressant I've ever come across.
I have officially crawled out of my skin!!!
I did a bit of research on spiders (more obsessed really, having a slight phobia) when I moved back from England, and I was horrified about being in a State with not only scorpions and poisonous spiders again...but particularly black widows and the dreaded Brown Recluse!!
I can't believe that is what was sitting on your counter when we came over that night!!
So between double and tripple checking my shoes, I too will be turning clothes inside out before draping my body with them!!
Please tell me it lives no more!
It does not.
Taylor dared me to eat it for $5.
O M G !! I already have a totally irrational fear of insects!! So I just kind of glanced at this post and actually thought this was Todd r Taylor's hand!! Then I read further,so glad it's not!!!! I always keep Hairspray in my kitchen for spider emergencies!!
um, grossed out. glad it wasn't found INSIDE the house. thanks for ruining my night. :) maybe we won't be coming over next week....
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