(Still working on this blog) More coming soon…
Spiders are beneficial predators that are good to have around and vital to a healthy ecosystem, so killing them should ONLY be a last resort.
While most spiders are venomous (that’s how they catch their food) more than 99% are not medically significant. Although painful a bite is generally not deadly to a healthy adult. Humans are more of a threat to these spiders than they are to us — one should still seek medical attention if bitten as some serious symptoms can arise like vomiting, cramps or allergic reaction. Most of the gory photos you see online are due to a secondary infection like MRSA due to improper wound care (Always wash and provide proper care after a spider bite to prevent infection)
Why are spiders so choosy about using up the venom? Because venom is essential for a spider’s survival. And once venom has been spent, it takes a while to replenish it. When it comes to us-versus-them confrontations, a spider’s first line of defense against people is usually to run, hide or play dead — or any combination of the three. Usually resorting to a bite as a last ditch effort.
Please DO NOT attempt to pick up and handle live spiders with unless you're a professional — By using a few simple trapping methods, such as web removal, commercial bug catchers, or the old jar and paper trick, you can rid your home of unwanted arachnids or preserve them for up-close study without putting them, or yourself, at unnecessary risk:
1. Place a jar or cup over the spider. Slide a folded piece of paper under the jar. Lift the paper and jar together. Take the spider outside or away from your property.
2. Sweep the spider into a dustpan and empty the dustpan outside
3. Purchase a special bug catcher device: mycrittercatcher
How to safely catch and release spiders: https://youtu.be/dfAUmPT9KNw
If you have arachnophobia, you are not alone. Given how spiders are portrayed in horror films and comic books as extremely aggressive and symbolic of evil it may be hard to believe that they really aren't "out to get us."
Arachnophobia can best be treated with exposure therapy: https://podcasts.ufhealth.org/exposure-therapy-could-cure-arachnophobia/
History of Arachnophobia: https://www.earthlife.net/chelicerata/arachnophobia.html
Debunking spider myths: https://youtu.be/ZAYblesQA3w
Are Medical Published Spider Bites Reliable? NO:
1. https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/arachnophobia-in-the-medical-literature-are-published-spider-bites-reliable#.VtXYhfkrLcv
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011630040X
Black Widow Spiders
Black Widows are very reluctant to bite. They are not typically aggressive, but rather they are defensive. If you harass it or accidentally come into contact with the animal where it feels threatened and with no retreat, it will defend itself. (Most bites happen at night when you roll over onto a spider and squish it)
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There has not been a death from a black widow in the US since 1983. Even though there are over 2200 reported bites a year. — Almost all widow bites are 'dry bites' and do not contain venom, because it would be a waste of venom to inject it into something they can't eat as it takes a while to replenish their venom supply.
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Read More About The Black Widow: https://www.livescience.com/51014-black-widow-spiders-misconceptions.html
Brown Recluse
Read About The Brown Recluse: https://www.wired.com/2013/11/poor-misunderstood-brown-recluse/
Australian Spiders
Debunking 'deadly' spider myths surrounding Australian spiders: https://youtu.be/nVVZdRPk6yc
Myths about the whitetail spider of Australia: https://youtu.be/cc8nMAuBqS0