So...over the weekend, even though it was wet, I had to check on the garden area, a few plastic panels had come off so I was looking around. I went over to a metal can that we have and took the lid off to see if everything was OK inside.
I saw a spider web...
And upon further examination...a spider...
But not just ANY spider...
 |
| Black Widow Spider |
THIS spider...a freakin' black widow spider!
Are you kidding me? I found this not reassuring info online:
"The female black widow spider, identified by the red hourglass shaped marking on her abdomen, is considered the most venomous spider in North America. Her venom is 15 times as toxic as that of the rattlesnake."
"The female black widow spider, identified by the red hourglass shaped marking on her abdomen, is considered the most venomous spider in North America. Her venom is 15 times as toxic as that of the rattlesnake."
I quickly took a picture with my cell phone and thought "this would be really detailed with my camera because I can zoom in". I walked from the garden to the porch, got the camera and walked back.
I looked inside the can to snap a picture and she was gone. I looked down and thought I saw one on the ground. Same one? Different one? More than one?
OH HELL NO....
I left the lid where it was and exited...quickly...
When I got home and regaled 2nd Man with my newest adventure, he says:
"So let me get this straight...we have deadly snakes, mice, rats, wasps, fire ants, scorpions, and now black widow spiders?"
"So let me get this straight...we have deadly snakes, mice, rats, wasps, fire ants, scorpions, and now black widow spiders?"
Yep, that pretty much sums it up!
Hey, just another weekend at the farm.
that not good. Oh, Not such a happy day.. I would still be running
ReplyDeleteLast thing you would want to find in the house among your linens, bedding, etc. Watch for them bed bugs.
Might want to set off some smoke bombs(or something stronger) under your house and around but be careful on what you use; whether yourself or a professional because of your bees so that no chemicals drift over toward the bee housing area.
You might want to keep a can of wasp spray handy and blast way at things like that
Heck with it; Just put up a sign on your farm that says; 'Occupied'; 'No Vacancy'; No space to rent or live
DeleteThanks, will definitely look into that. Of course i like the 'occupied" sign, LOL! No trespassing maybe? Ha
DeleteJust found your blog few days ago. I love reading about the Farm, etc. It looks so nice. However, the post about the spider is scary!! Please be safe and I hope the spider finds another home!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Couldn't help but laugh with the picture u posted of the running puppet.
I would of done the same thing...run as fast as I could.
Thank you!!! And welcome!!! I hope it finds a new home too. And yep, I felt like that puppet for sure, ha.
Deleteomg...the little farm of horrors! feets don't fails me now!!!
ReplyDeleteLittle Farm of Horrors, I LOVE it!
DeleteNot nice. But maybe she left because you scared her after all she probably thought no one lived there.
ReplyDeleteWell that can had not been used in about 6 months since it was in the garden so she probably did think she was all alone, ha.
DeleteHo-lee crap!
ReplyDeleteDi-tto! ;-)
DeleteOh gosh golly. Think I'll cross Texas off my bucket list. Stay brave, stay strong.
ReplyDeleteLOL Too funny!
DeleteAnd you can only receive the anti-venom for a Black Widow one time. So, get to spraying around your perimeter outside.
ReplyDeleteReally? I had no idea, that's crazy. Thanks for the info.
DeleteSpiders bother me a LOT less than snakes. And yes, we have venomous versions of both.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we have these in the world huh? I hear ya!!
DeleteAh, the “joys” of country living. I’m glad you noticed it before your hand got too close.
ReplyDeleteLove the running, screaming puppet!
I think you need to take Coleen’s “no vacancy” sign suggestion!
Farm living is the life for me! (sometimes, ha)
DeleteLook's like you need to start some serious chemical warfare around, under and inside the house!
ReplyDeleteChemical warfare, it works doesnt it? Ha!!
Delete1st Man,
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of spiders, and Bulldog Man absolutely hates them. You want to prevent these spiders from getting inside your home. With all the rain, they'll start looking for a dry spot (like your house)and when it heats up in TX spiders look for a cool dry spot to live. If you don' want to use a bug spray, try using a natural deterrent like a mixture of dawn soap 2 drops to water,add 5 drops of tree tea oil, and 1 oz. of neem oil to a spray bottle and spray all areas where you think spiders will get into your home.
Oh great, thanks for that!! In our old house I'm not sure where they could come in, probably a lot more places than I realize but i'll try that. Can't hurt for sure!
DeleteWelcome to the country.
ReplyDeleteI would rather face a Black Widow than many things in a city. They also mate and eat their male...interesting spider.
Thank you! You know that's very true isn't it? Just as many (or more) bad things in town than out....
DeleteI have a pond in my yard with cinderblock sides. Last week, I noticed that a black widow had set up home between two of the cinderblocks. This past Sunday, my boyfriend and I decided to clean out the pond. I mentioned the black widow to him, and he said, "Oh, I'll kill it." So I showed him where it was, he grabbed a stick and tried to kill it - and it got away, climbing further into and behind the cinderblocks (between the cinderblocks and the liner of the pond) - so it literally could be ANYWHERE around the pond now. Needless to say, I wasn't a happy camper, but we cleaned out the pond anyway!
ReplyDeleteYou know it's funny how we see one and it freaks us out and even if we kill it, we feel safer when there could literally be hundreds more we CAN'T see! Be safe! And tell boyfriend to work on his aim, ha.
DeleteI love reading of your adventure(s). This was quite humourous..but in dealing with the problem, please do not use any chemical solution close to your inhabited area...like the natural deterrent suggested..spray the hell out of your crawlspace..and good luck! be alert!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that, we will! Thanks for stopping by!!!
DeleteWe have black widows too. They seem to love wood: fire wood, wood chips, and piles of sticks. I always wear leather gloves when handling that stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that tip. I will have to remember that since now I know they are out there. It's funny how we think one would freak us out but there could be hundreds creeping around. Stay safe!
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