Spiders in my Argosy

[mrmossyone]

Just an interesting note on brown recluses. I at one time did a great deal of research on the brownies and came upon an interesting study that I believe was conducted at the University of Iowa. They took a brown recluse a black widow and another insect and placed them in a small geranium box. Upon arriving the next day they found the brown recluse missing a leg and the black widow and the insect gone. Brownies are bad, bbbbbad, bbbbad, bad to the bone.

[Aria]

Spiders dislike rubbing alcohol the first aid antiseptic. And yes the Bounce sheets. Aria

[love vintage]

Have major phobia with spiders!!!!!!!!!!!.
Cast Iron frypans and steel toed boots, have always been my weapons of choice, in a panic.

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by love vintage

Have major phobia with spiders!!!!!!!!!!!.

I couldn't agree more. That's probably a secondary reason for moving to Maine. According to my bug guy - who treats the exterior of the house every three months, and the outside of the Airstream as well, he has never seen a brown recluse in our area of Maine. Every time he replaces the sticky pads that he places around the house in strategic locations, he gives me three or four for the Airstream. The pads are primarily used to register what kind of insects are showing up - not as a control method - and, as such, they have no toxic chemicals. So far, I've never seen a single insect (---or mouse!) on the Airstream pads. I'm parked on an asphalt drive in the open - with the nearest tree being about 40' away. The way the bug guy treats the Airstream is to spray the pavement all around, especially around the landing gear and tires. This treatment also covers the dreaded carpenter ants that show up during the spring. We very lightly, treat the interior of the house around the baseboards - basement, kitchen, and bathrooms only. No airborne sprays in the house and no treatment of any sort in the interior of the Airstream! This program costs just under $400 per year and, for us, with no children or pets, we personally think that it's money well spent! My only recommendation would be to make certain the pest service you use is state licensed. Most every state has very exacting standards for pest control services.

[Melody Ranch]

I think I live at ground zero for every bad pest around. Fiddlebacks, Black Widows, scorpions, etc. I have been bitten by the Brownie and nearly lost my arm...or died. It was not fun. I keep the areas clean, minimal sprays and watch where I put my hands.( Yes, watch out for closets.) One of my best spider eliminators is another of my least favorite critters....Mud Daubers (and I have lots here) eliminate them by the thousands and pack 'em away for snacks. I am a firm believer in beneficial insects.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I think I live at ground zero for every bad pest around. Fiddlebacks, Black Widows, scorpions, etc. I have been bitten by the Brownie and nearly lost my arm...or died. It was not fun. I keep the areas clean, minimal sprays and watch where I put my hands.( Yes, watch out for closets.) One of my best spider eliminators is another of my least favorite critters....Mud Daubers (and I have lots here) eliminate them by the thousands and pack 'em away for snacks. I am a firm believer in beneficial insects.

I feel for you. I have had them on me 5 or 6 times and only bitten once and that time on my hand where the skin is thick. I'm also a lucky one who isn't highly effected by their bites. I found out that some people are so effected by the venom that the necrosis can go away and then years later they could get an insect bite such as a mosquito bite in the same area and the venom be re-released and the necrosis begins again. One lady I read about has been battling necrosis from one bite for over ten years. Nasty little buggers.

[Mackhopp]

I know I live in Canada, and thus have a natural geographical defense against lovely critters such as brown recluse spiders. Reading through this thread however, made me think about another defense I'm providing for my AS: I work with spiders and mites, and one of the lovely "benefits" of my job is working in an environment that reeks of mothballs (naphthalene). I can no longer really detect the smell of mothballs, but my friends and family are all quick to assure me that my clothing has the lovely odor. I even get occasional funny looks if I pop into a store right after work...

I must be a walking, talking insect deterrent, keeping my AS free and clear!