Update on Tim's "pet" (no pics)

Danaus29 · #1 08-08-2008, 11:10 PM

She (I assume it is a she because of the large abdomen) is still wandering around the basement. The past couple days she has been hanging around the door area. Maybe she is eating the house spiders that live there because those have been noticeably absent from her area. That fact alone would give me reason to allow her to wander unharmed. Another thing is that I do have to respect her age. This is a larger than usual Dolomedes so she have lived a while after maturing. I did a little research and found they can have around 1400 eggs per egg sac. Talk about the willies! But fortunately they build a nursery web in vegetation.

I have to also post an update on the garden/field spiders we had in the wildflower patch last year. There are now 4 (YES!!! 4) garden spiders living in the garden. I had to fight my way past 3 of them to get to some ripe cherry tomatoes. The only good side is that they are big enough to see. Maybe I should not have fenced the ducks out of the garden.

Bird Lover · #2 08-09-2008, 12:41 AM

Danaus, you're something else! I'm sure I would not have left that spider alone if it was in my house, even in the basement. I have walked right into spider webs out in my garden. EEEUWWWW! That grosses me out!

debrac69 · #3 08-09-2008, 03:34 PM

THANK YOU for leaving out the pictures Rhonda! Boy, do they ever give me the heebie jeebies!!

I'm trying to instill a respect of all living things in Joey. But, as my constant shadow he does see me occasionally kill a bug in the house. I always tell him "If I'm in their house we play by their rules, but if they are in my house we play by my rules!"

greenasagourd · #4 08-09-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

I did a little research and found they can have around 1400 eggs per egg sac. Talk about the willies! But fortunately they build a nursery web in vegetation.

They normally build a nursery web in vegetation ... do they normally live in a basement?

Tim may have 1400 more 'pets' unexpectedly. Now that gives me the willies! You're braver than I am Rhonda!!!

I'm fine with spiders/insects outside. Inside they are history! Eek!

Dog Mom · #5 08-09-2008, 05:19 PM

Remember tribbles? (Star Trek, the original series) -- it sounds like she will multiple like the tribbles did!! But not cuddly and cute.

Danaus29 · #6 08-09-2008, 08:24 PM

GAAG, yes, they do normally live in basements. Rebekah was so kind this morning as to point out that I bring several plants indoors to overwinter, including the tangerine tree. Those have vegetation which might be suitable for a nursery web. Yeh, thanks, Rebekah. I didn't even think about that.

Dog Mom, but she is furry. LOL

Here's a link to the info:
Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas
Lots of close-up pics though.

Pburgh · #7 08-11-2008, 01:43 PM

Nope, would never happen with me. That big guy would be history. Gone

Rhonda, you have a heart of gold.

On the other hand, I am mean and ruthless when it comes to spiders - any spiders - big, little, white, brown, black, red --- I am scared of them all. I kill them on sight!!

One time a big wolf spider with a baby sack on her back backed me up against the dryer in my basement. She was MEAN and ready to hop on me. I was able to reach to the side and get a can of snow flock (you know the kind you spray on Christmas trees). I flocked her to death!!!!!

Dog Mom · #8 08-11-2008, 05:03 PM

Karan, that remiinds me of the time I killed a centapied in the basement by the washer with Lysol spray -- kills germs and bugs too!

petal*pusher · #9 08-11-2008, 05:57 PM

And who says us gardeners ain't resourceful?!? I like the good WD-40!

I'm working on a better attitude/understanding of those 8-legged thingys! At school, I try to be a good example to the kids by scooping them onto a paper and releasing outside or greenhouse. (When they're not lookin'...I'm a pretty good sqhasher though!)..........p

Danaus29 · #10 08-11-2008, 06:11 PM

One day she was between me and the washer, but I still had access to the door and stairs. I would have killed one that backed me into a corner too! I had to have David come downstairs and rescue me from a big wolf spider that got between me and the stairs. First he chased it towards me, then he chased it under a tool box! He claims he didn't mean to chase it, he just wanted to see how big it was then he missed it when he threw the shoe at it. Yeh, sure, I hear ya. Just don't ask me to save you from a mouse.

Pburgh, I don't have a heart of gold, I'm afraid of missing and having it come after me! And she does seem to be eating the other spiders down there. She might even be munching on a mouse or two. I told Tim that I worry about leaving baby ducks in the basement overnight with "IT" down there. What if it eats a duck??? They're just little bitties!