Tarantulas in Missouri (moving to, eat, radio)

[sickofMN]

Originally Posted by jdslady

DO WHAT???????????????????????? YIKES< maybe I need to find somewhere else to move to !!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't do spiders, or snakes for that matter, very well at all

I would love to get out of MN and either move to MO or OK, but the thought of bugs...scorpions & spiders...I would rather deal with -50 temps than see a nasty hairy spider or a scorpion. Please say there are parts of MO that don't have scorpions or tarantulas!! it's not that I'm scared they will bite me...I just hate creepy things that crawl. Disgusting. I absolutely hate mice and snakes too. I can deal with a snake..most of them don't come in the house...maybe I should just stay in MN!

[Darlynn0217]

It's not like they are just covering the ground!
Most of the critters you named would not want to be near you either!
Seriously, you might see a tarantula crossing the road, and could find a black widow or brown recluse in your house or yard. I have not seen a scorpion in the 8 yrs I have been here, but I did see a huge copperhead.

Oh, yeah......

There are spiders and snakes where you live, too.......

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I have NEVER seen a scorpion or tarantula in the wild in the 18 years I've lived in MO. My Grandma's seen 1 or 2 black widows in her life.

If you really love a place you just learn to deal with it.

I have seen a couple of snakes, but they were in a park and not dangerous.

[tambre]

Hi,
Does anyone have any experience with brown recluse spiders? I've read that Missouri is part of their habitat, that they are quite common, and won't bite unless you accidentally squish one. Do folks in Missouri usually spray their homes/outbuilding for them? Other precautions? (Mock oranges, chesnuts placed in corners, wearing gloves) Is it a concern, to be on the lookout for them on a daily basis? Do they "infest" certain places, and it's close to impossible to get rid of them? Has anyone every gotten bitten by one? Sorry if I am responding to hype, but we don't have them here in NY, and I would love to know more about them from your personal experiences, not from internet info. Thanks!

[Darlynn0217]

I haven't been bitten, but I know people who have. It's not pretty!! Causes tissue damage, sometimes severe!! This is a link that is very right on! G7386 Spiders, MU Extension

It isn't something I dwell on, but I am aware, so haven't ever had issues with them! Hope this helps!

[tambre]

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

I haven't been bitten, but I know people who have. It's not pretty!! Causes tissue damage, sometimes severe!! This is a link that is very right on! G7386 Spiders, MU Extension

It isn't something I dwell on, but I am aware, so haven't ever had issues with them! Hope this helps!

Hi Darlynn,

From the article, it seems like a spider prevention program through maintenance is needed? Cleaning clutter, using pesticides, etc? Guess if you live in Recluse habitat, you get used to it, and it becomes second nature? I'm really glad you were never bitten...the bites seem really nasty. Thanks for the helpful information.

[firebll31]

One of the best things you can do is store items in plastic lidded tubs,not cardboard boxes in the attic and basement. For some reason those critters LOVE boxes, and many people get bitten when they shove hands into the box.My husband was bitten when he rolled over on one while sleeping in our crappy rental house. He had a little red spot for a day. The next day he got nauseous and it was turning black. He went to the ER and got some heavy-duty antibiotics. This stopped the damage from spreading but the black spot made a small crater that filled with scar tissue. We started regular treatments with an exterminatior which includes spiders and ants and have seen very few since then. Just keeping watch when being in dark quiet or unused places will go a long way in prevention.

[tambre]

Hi Firebll,

Sorry to hear about your husband's bite...glad he healed up okay. Is there any way to tell if you have brown recluses in your house, aside from the obvious..getting bitten? How much does it cost for an exterminator and how often do you need to have your house exterminated? Do they spray inside, or just outside? Are the chemicals they use safe for animals/children?

[firebll31]

You can usually see the brown recluses if you look in corners at night if you have a bad problem. In Missouri, if you haven't had your house treated, assume you have them. We use Alert-One pest control, they spray 4 times a year and the treatment varies depending on the time of year. Usually its in and out, yes it is safe for pets and kids, odorless and I think each treatment is $80.00. Might be different depending on house size, I don't know how they figure it.

[tambre]

Thanks, great information!