has anyone else seen a huge spider at AKL?

[momtotwinglesx4]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Some studies have stated that you can find a spider within three feet of you at all times.

I've heard this horrifying fact before. Very disturbing to a true arachnophobe like myself.

 

[dreamflight99]

Especially sitting at my desk...in my office, knowing one is watching me with 6-eyes somewhere close by!

Also...not to mention the exceedingly HIGH number of VERY healthy and LARGE "Wolf and Huntsman" spiders I have recently had to chase with a plastic cup and RELEASE into the night!! The one on the Stairs last eve was surprisingly FAST...and was so terrified of me he nearly JUMPED on my in an effort to escape!! I finally waited until he calmed down, and coaxed him into the cup with a piece of paper. Once in the cup...I gently "gyrate" it to prevent them from coming up the sides...and open the door to set them FREE!!! I just can not get myself to KILL anything...especially because it accidentally wandered into my home.
I know...not everyone feels this way.

TTFN...DF99

 

[lts862]

We saw a snake on the a walkway between the pool and the Hawaii building at the Poly. It was about 1 1/2 feet long and whit/grey in color. Scared the heck out of me!

 

[chilis]

This thread has provided me with WAY too much information.

Lisa

 

[chilis]

I know I just said this was information overload, but.......

I read an article the other day that said you are never more than 3 1/2 feet away from a spider! Yuck!

Lisa

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by chilis
I know I just said this was information overload, but.......

I read an article the other day that said you are never more than 3 1/2 feet away from a spider! Yuck!

Lisa

That's what I wrote in my post above!~That must mean they are also in my VEHICLES!!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[chilis]

Sorry about repeating the info, dreamflight99! I have to admit that I had to stop reading this thread about mid way through page 3. Like I said, this is way more than I ever wanted to know!

I too was bitten by a brown recluse 2 years ago. It was terrible, but not even near as severe as some of the reactions I have heard of. I went to the ER and, unfortunately, the doctor there had no clue what was going on. He was convinced that I had come in contact with something that I had an allergic reaction to.....yeah dimwit, it was a SPIDER!! I insisted to him that I had been bitten, not tried a new lotion or soap or been near posison ivy or oak, but he just gave me some hydrocortisone and sent me home. Needless to say, 2 days later the nasty spot on my arm had grown from the size of a quarter to the size of a softball. So, I called my trusty doctor and he had me in the office within minutes. He immediately prescribed me Cipro and a topical cream also. Turns out I am allergic to just about every antibiotic under the sun, so not only did I have this big ole oozing, itchy thing on my arm, I had hives everywhere else. The bite left a big red spot on my arm that lasted for months. You can still see the outline of the area where it was. It was not pleasant. I know we should try to co exist with all earthly creatures, but after that experience I'm not taking any chances. Those eight legged freaks don't last long at my house. Beware, spiders!!

Lisa

 

[TheBellhop]

Wow, what an enlightening thread! I now know that spiders are not that scary! Woo am I glad I'm not in Florida, however!

 

[Taratink]

I believe that this tread will be causing a few nightmares. When I get to WL, I will be checking between the sheets!
AAAAHHHHHHHHH!

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I would just like to state that I have lived in Florida for over 4 years and have never been bit by a spider. Fire ants on the other hand...

 

[mbtiser]

Spiders were one of the deciding factors when I moved from NY to Arizona. When I had my site visit I asked about all the "critters" that I might encounter if I moved here. They told me to just get a cat. Well I got a cat and so far I've seen 6 spiders and I'm one of those people who can spot a spider a 500 yards!!!! Working in a hospital I see the effects of spider bites (and I've seen many) and they always seem to bite people in the same regions of the body. The fingers and the well let me just say.......gluteal region. Now the first one I figured out because you're reaching into areas without looking but the second one..........most seem to happen while people are sleeping.
I should explain at this point, that I work nights and work at a facility that gives you an hour "lunch" break and that you can leave the facility and go home. I have 2 large bushes in front of my front door. I usually go home about 3am and I have a procedure I go thru before I even unlock to door. I always have long sleeves on and a rather large keg ring attached to my keys. I wave my arm in front of the door (Thank god everyone is sleeping in the neighborhood) 10 times then inspect the area. If I see anything that looks the least bit shiney I do the whole process all over again until I see nothing shiney in the area. Now going to bed in the morning is another process.......I first get at the foot of the bed and slap my hand over the bed linens, then repeat on the left and right. Now I have the cat trained that this is a game that we play every morning and she now wants to get under the cover........who am I to interfer with her game. They I have to pick up the pillows and inspect them. Now having said all this, and I have to confess I've never told anyone what my ritual is, I am knocking on wood like crazy!!! Also the people at the local Wal-mart know me for all the spider spray I buy and spray around to outside of my house. Now I have to say the cat stays inside at all times so I am the only one breathing in all the fumes but after reading an article on the number of spiders that a person eats in there lifetime I figure no spider is going to be going in my mouth I would like to Thank You all, I've now added spider spray to my pack list for my October trip. At this point I have to ask the expert.........Does Florida have a spider season?

Have a magical Day
Mary Beth

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by PneumaticTransit
I would just like to state that I have lived in Florida for over 4 years and have never been bit by a spider. Fire ants on the other hand...

Been in So. Cali for more than 28 years total...and have NEVER been bit by a venomous spider to date (several others...yes, but none deadly, etc). Last night, as I walked outside to call in our little Dutch rabbit, and Silkie Bantam...I "noticed" something out of the corner of my eye. It was a WIDOW, slowly making her way across the patio to the left of me. I crouched down, and watched her walk...in an awkward manner...to the underside of a bush. Such a shy little thing. When I got too close, she rolled up in a tight ball, pretending to be either dead/invisible. I left her alone, and went on with my business.

I've also had dealings with those NASTY fireants!! WOW..they are AGGRESSIVE and their bites STING like the dickens! I am not a fan of these insects, and try to avoid contact with them at all times.

Since I experienced a severe bout of idiopathic angioedema in 1998, I have also experienced near-catastrophic allergic/anaphylactic reactions to insect bites of any type. I have to carry special meds (including injectable epinephrine) to avoid serious complications, etc. which could invariably arise from such an encounter. I've had to use the injection on more than one occasion while vacationing in Florida.

mbtiser~Are you sure your name is not TRACY?!? My DS is a RN, and absolutely terrified of SPIDERS~!! She has the same tendencies as you, and performs similar "rituals" before entering her home, bed, etc.! She has no pines around her home, as she thinks spiders PREFER pines!! (LOL). She has lots of cats, as they keep the spiders from her home (they are all spider-hunters!). No, Florida has no special "season" for spiders...but they are more likely active in the summer months. Insects are not fond of any extreme temperatures...especially cold.

I'm happy to read most are finding this thread beneficial and interesting! Education is the key to understanding most everything on the planet/in our lives.

Enjoy the week...and stay clear of the arachnids!!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[mar524]

I am leaving for WDW on Monday, and you can bet that I will be watching out for these now that I know they are there. Just looking at these pictures is making my skin crawl....I feel like I need to take a shower!

 

[PamNC]

I'm so scared of them that I've actually passed out at the site of one. Now, it was a big one...carrying an egg on it's back if you can believe that. I completely fainted.

Lord knows I need help but I just can't stand these pathetic creatures. They must be destroyed. In fact I have a hard time sitting throw It's Tough to Be a Bug - the spider part makes me dizzy.

Ridiculous - I know!

PamNC

 

[G&J's Mom]

Today was spider day here at my house in GA. As I was walking down my hallway this morning the biggest hariest black spider was jogging next to me. His body had to be an inch and a half long. I freaked! DH said that it was not a poisonous spider. WHO CARES! I want it gone gone gone. It ran under the couch. We could not find it, and I have not stopped thinking about it all day. We had one just like it run through my front door one day last summer. DH smacked it with a shoe and all these spider babies popped out of it and started running around. I almost had a heart attack!!!!

Then as we were getting ready to drive away this morning. It was still dark and my neighbors car lights caught the silhouette of a HUGE web and an equally HUGE spider hanging in the middle of it between my neighbors trees. I was about 30 feet away and could see it clearly. My mouth dropped, I could not believe I was seeing another spider, and DH calmly said, now those will bite you. Guess he has some spider hunting to do when he gets home.

Talk about your heebee jeebees!

Denise

 

[CindyBella]

M baby brother, who is now a big, strong, handsome man is terrified of spiders. When he was 2 or 3 and fascinated with a spider that was crawling across the kitchen floor. My Mom saw that he was about to pick it up so she ran over and stepped on it with her shoe. When she picked up her foot.........about 100 BABY SPIDERS came running out all over the kitchen!!!



He still gets chills when he thinks about it!

 

[MEM]

You can count me among the people who think it is bad luck to kill a spider - I always re-locate them instead and fortunately married a man who feels the same way. I honestly think that a very early exposure to the book and movie Charlotte's Web instilled in me a respect for spiders. Also, my grandfather liked to let Daddy-longlegs crawl up his bare arm to show us they are harmless. I still don't want a spider in my hair, but that goes for bees, bats, and so on.

Anyone else raised this way? I received the same indoctrination about snakes.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by MEM
You can count me among the people who think it is bad luck to kill a spider - I always re-locate them instead and fortunately married a man who feels the same way. I honestly think that a very early exposure to the book and movie Charlotte's Web instilled in me a respect for spiders. Also, my grandfather liked to let Daddy-longlegs crawl up his bare arm to show us they are harmless. I still don't want a spider in my hair, but that goes for bees, bats, and so on.

Anyone else raised this way? I received the same indoctrination about snakes.

Count me in with you...I was also raised the same way. Both my DM & DF have the indisputable "live and let live" philosophy...and this transcends to EVERY living creature on this earth. I commend you for following in the path in which you were raised, and maintaining the lessons taught by your parents.

My own mother would gently pick up Daddy long legs, and "show" them to us. The same with Praying Mantis (The greens are the males, browns are the females), dragonflies, etc. My own DD has incorporated all of our lessons, and "saves" moths, spiders and beetles at school! All the classmates have known her nature for years, and know she is the one to call for removal of such creatures (from classrooms, etc). Even my own DH knows to grab a "cup" (AKA: transporter) when I call to him with a little sense of urgency (as I do not want the little invader to hide somewhere!). We have bats whom come out in the eves and fly a circular path overhead, consuming mosquitoes and other pests. They are incredible animals. I continue to be fascinated with the wild array of insects and other living creatures sharing this planet with all of us.

We have had some snakes (Colubrids), in our care (before releasing them back into the wild). I have literally come across the beautiful Black and White banded California KING snake while walking in our So. California outback. I have always reached down and carefully picked them up...just to admire them more closely for a moment, before releasing them. They are truly something to behold. They are the only snake on this coast which can kill a rattle snake,(not immune to venom but has tolerance towards it) ,yet they are SUCH gentle creatures.

I also LOVE Charlotte's web...as do DD & DH. There are MANY wonderful movies which raise awareness and a love for other creatures, such as:

*RIKKI TIKKI TAVI!

Oh, how I LOVE this story...and the mongoose!

*along with Orwell's Animal Farm, All Creatures GREAT & SMALL, BUGS LIFE, Jungle Book!...etc!!

"One can measure the greatness and moral progress of a nation by the manner in which it treats it's animals." (Mahatma Ghandi).

Even though my sister was raised in the same home, with the same parents...she is TERRIFIED of spiders. I think it began when she tried to swat at a giant BARN spider, and it JUMPED onto her head. It never hurt her...but she went BONKERS! She was about 15...and has never been the same (*with respect to spiders). She still screams when I say, "look at THAT spider" and RUNS in the opposite direction.

Most everyone whom dislikes spiders, either has had terrifying experiences in their youth...or simply does not stop to think of all the simple facts revealed in this thread...such as:

*Spiders are not evil.
*Spiders are not out to get us.
*Spiders RUN to get away!
*Spiders have a wonderful "purpose" on this earth.
*Spiders...(so much more).

One of my favorite aphorisms...

For in the end,
We will conserve only what we love,
We will love only what we understand,
We will understand only what we are taught.--Baba Dioum

DF99

 

[kbkids]

Originally posted by PneumaticTransit
I would just like to state that I have lived in Florida for over 4 years and have never been bit by a spider. Fire ants on the other hand...

DITTO! I've been here 37 years - no spider bites - but been scared to death by cockroaches, and them fire ants are indeed vicious!!

 

[kbkids]

Originally posted by CindyBella
M baby brother, who is now a big, strong, handsome man is terrified of spiders. When he was 2 or 3 and fascinated with a spider that was crawling across the kitchen floor. My Mom saw that he was about to pick it up so she ran over and stepped on it with her shoe. When she picked up her foot.........about 100 BABY SPIDERS came running out all over the kitchen!!!



He still gets chills when he thinks about it!

Alright!! I just about choked on my drink!! I am now officially grossed out!!