Spiders (Tampa, Orlando, Madison: apartment, house, university)

[j_rode]

I've spent about two weeks of my life in Florida, primarily Orlando and Tampa. My question is about house spiders. I hate spiders of all shapes and sizes, even real small ones. I live in Wisconsin and we just get tiny little house spiders in the summer and early fall. Those are enough to creep me out. If they're outside and in the woods or whatever, I could care less. But do they often find their way inside? Obviously, I know that Florida has more insects, which does not necessarily bother me unless they get in the house, especially spiders.

Just wondering if anyone can fill me in on the spider situation in the Orlando/Tampa areas as far as them getting in your home goes. I would probably be looking into living near the city in a studio apartment or something to that effect if that helps at all.

[jenlando]

Ewww! I hate spiders too! I'm also from WI- Madison actually. I've lived here for 3 years and wow are there amazing bugs here. My husband had a spider the size of his hand outstreatched, jump - yes, jump into his car to get out of the rain! We found out after calling bug specialists at the university that it was likely a wolf spider.

I know what you're thinking - we have those in WI. Yes, but not the size of a small dog. Luckily they're not poisionous, but told the bite would hurt like hell. We were told by the bug-people that it couldn't survive more than 4 days locked in a car without food/water. Well, we waited, but I didn't set toe in that car for nearly a month. We never saw it again.

But thankfully, as far as in the home goes, I live in an apartment and I've only come across a few moderate sized WI sized spiders. I have heard of friends that get bigger ones inside, but I bet if you seal your house really well it would happen a lot less.

One cool bug down here that I love are these giant grasshoppers. Locals hate them - I guess they eat a lot of good plants. These things are about 5" long, thick girth to match and won't hop away when provoked. They actually stick out their leg as if to challenge you, or make you go away.

My fear is bees, and we've got some wasps the size of small birds that make me run in the other direction! They're supposed to be docile to people though - won't take my chances!

Also don't freak about roaches - I've only had a few and pest control always fixes it.

[Kappy]

jenlando: You've got it wrong. The giant grasshoppers stick out their leg to trip you!!

[nicke09]

[/quote]i dont ikes spiders of tamp is tamp bay spiders it you see tamp bay 1 say ok it you can i am not to going to go to see spiders i dont ikes the 100967 or see you have see 780945123 or 4545454545909 its it is not i am not good to it i see a lot of tamp 1 as i am not on the toy r u it is good r it i am not on my bed it is fun not ikes that is it is good for you is you see it of tamp or of tampbay it is not good

[nicke09]

i dont ikes spiders of tamp is tamp bay spiders it you see tamp bay 1 say ok it you can i am not to going to go to see spiders i dont ikes the 100967 or see you have see 780945123 or 4545454545909 its it is not i am not good to it i see a lot of tamp 1 as i am not on the toy r u it is good r it i am not on my bed it is fun not ikes that is it is good for you is you see it of tamp or of tampbay it is not good

[nicke09]

Kappy i donot ikes spidreokit is not good in tampa bay and tampa

[nicke09]

It is no t go to go that is are is you

[AONE]

There are some large wolf spiders here for sure and our roaches are so large we call them palmetto bugs it is just a nuclear roach. I was showing a house today and found a snake in the pool. they don't bother me so I rescued it.
When I find a wolf spider in my home I gett he vacuum out with a long hose attachment. i turn it on and point it slowy towards the house guest. when the hair on its legs begin to move he is a goner. That keeps me 5 ' from these jumping ba$tard$. They can survive a long time in a car.

Here is your house tip for roaches. take boric acid and put lots of it behind stoves fridges and other places out of site. that will eliminate your roach problem and no need for the pest people for those at least.

[poodlestix]

nicke09, what's with all the nonsense postings?

j_rode, I hate spiders too. I moved here from TX, but so far TX beats FL for the number of spiders. The spiders I've seen here aren't as hideous as the ones I saw in TX (so far) either. Hope that helps.