Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I opened my storage closet today to grab some fruitfly cultures to start the daily feeding when, to my surprise, I found a very large male brown recluse staring right back at me.

I don't have a serious phobia of spiders or anything, but it wasn't a very comfortable way to start my day to say the least.

I usually let any spider in my home live, especially jumping spiders. I find that they do a good job of helping to control the population of fruitfly escapees and they're kinda neat to watch hunt. Plus, they keep they're distance, I don't mess with them, they don't mess with me and it's worked out great for over a year....but this spider got personal.

As soon as I crouched in for a closer look, I noticed the tell-tale fiddle marking of a brown recluse. I decided then and there that this spider's goin' down...

The only thing I had handy was a little green tropical fish net...not nearly of the length I wanted, but it had to suffice, I couldn't risk losing a visual...
He must have known what was coming, 'cause as I went in for the kill, he bolted under a pile of junk at the bottom of the closet...dang.

After removing everything in the closet, I saw him there, crouched in the corner looking at me with those beady little eyes of his. VICTORY!! I could've smushed 'em right there... but alas, being the animal lover that I am, I had to have pity on this little, ugly,(not-exacly) defensless creature.

So here I sit with a big brown recluse in an empty fruitfly cup watching me post this. Whataway to start the day...
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Randy

I know that feeling. My basement is full of Hobo spiders (also know as aggressive house spider), they look very similar to yours and have nearly identical poison. I was watching a helpless fruit fly run across the basement floor once and out from under the furnace comes this huge hobo spider, graps the fruit fly and darts back under the furnace. Several seconds later he got caught on the wrong end of my propane torch. I love spiders, but anything that can cause enough damage to require multiple skin graphs just needs to die. I kill on average about 5 a week of these deadly little buggers, I think they are living off the fruit flies and aphids. I think this spring I'm going to gather wild jumping spiders and introduce them into the basement to compete with the hobos for food, couldn't make the situation any worse.

joe
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3.0.1 Tinc Patricias
0.0.2836 Pea Aphids
0.0.4392 Springtails
0.0.1842 FruitFlies
0.1.30 Dampwood Termites

I wish there was way to fumigate just for spiders. I'd feel bad killing all the less-venomous spiders, but I think it would be worth it. I think I have about 8 to 10 jumping spiders hanging around my rack system right now. As long as they stay there, they're OK.
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Randy

just kidding
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Matt

I wish I could, I think that would be a fitting punishment for such a heinous crime!
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Randy

np
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Matt

WOW, that sucks, i'm, not a fan of spiders at least ones that can hurt me. I get some larger wood spiders in my house in the winter, but they are harmless.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Randy,
I know you know that this is not a "HELPLESS" spider. These can cause some serious damage if you are bitten. I believe all life is precious (especially mine). He would have to go if he was here. To risky. Anyways hope all is well and the frogs are doing their thing.

TTYL
TonyT

Hey Tony,
Yeah, these guys pack a punch. I just wish I knew how to assure myself that this was an isolated incident. I mean, if you keep fly cultures, you've practically inherited a spider population, due to escapees. At the same time, we can't spray insecticide for obvious reasons.
I suppose the best way to handle this is to set out some fly strips here and there. Maybe that will help me cut down on the spiders since their food source will be reduced.

By the way, I just saw the new additions to your collection, they're gorgeous!
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Randy

I read on doylesdartden that a small dish of water placed around the top od the tank, or wherever the escapees are, will attract the flies and they will drown,,,any truth to this?
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Matt

I've also heard that a glass of beer will attract (and drown) loose ff's. Either way, I'm gonna try something. I think I'll do a little experiment with water, beer, and sticky fly tape. I'll set out all three and wait a week and then count the number of trappings each has...or maybe I'll get a life...
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Randy

well, regardless of the life part, though I wish you the best of luck, please let us know what you find out.

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Matt