Bugman, Still another question about bugs

Memphis_Mud · July 12, 2005, 4:46am

My boss’s granddaughter got bitten by a Brown Recluse at his house. She’s fine (after 3 days at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital). The dudes treating the house say “Once you’ve got Brown Recluse, you never fully get rid of them.” Everyone is upset, of course. Now Grandbaby is not allowed at Granddaddy’s house. They’ve been trapping and trapping. But we’re talking about a 5000 sq ft house. Too many hidey holes. He’s gotten rid of the boxes in the attic. He’s moved all the beds away from the walls…

Short of voodoo, what do you do?

-Tom

yoopers · July 12, 2005, 5:58am

I see a scene from ET on it’s way.

GILD · July 12, 2005, 7:42am

Re: Bugman, Still another question about bugs

move?

i’m not speaking for yoopers here…but - we know we’re not helping, we’re simply helping u pass the time till bugman gets here and sorts it out

yoopers · July 12, 2005, 8:12am

Re: Re: Bugman, Still another question about bugs

Well said.

Memphis_Mud · July 12, 2005, 8:16am

Re: Re: Bugman, Still another question about bugs

Nice place. 5 BR. 5 Baths. On the hill. Wooded lot. Must share with a few very quiet inhabitants. $750,000 (or best offer)

Appreciated.

bugman · July 12, 2005, 7:13pm

Rubbish. They can be eliminated. Variety of things that can be done. Have him give me a call at 800-877-7290. If he is the research type, he can also read our article here.

Memphis_Mud · July 13, 2005, 5:42am

Thanks bug, I’ll pass it along.
-Mud

PS if you have a printing emergency, I’ll return the favor…

bugman · July 13, 2005, 6:13am

You guys only do large stuff right? Nothing like bumper stickers.

hell-on-wheel · July 14, 2005, 10:08am

Whoa, that’ll be one sad little girl by day 10.

bugman · July 14, 2005, 8:12pm

Just to be clear, spiders are not bugs.

GILD · July 14, 2005, 11:47pm

that’s got to be some kind of industry in-joke, cause i don’t get it
???

Loosemoose · July 15, 2005, 1:03am

A Spider is technically an arachnid, 4 pairs of legs rather than 3.

And according to this article:

Loose.

Memphis_Mud · July 15, 2005, 5:19am

Beg pardon. I defer to the pro. They look so similar on the bottom of my shoe.

Bugman, I have 2 kitties who do a pretty good job of keeping most bugs and arachnids at bay. Are they in danger? They’re good at playing with and swatting so I hope they can avoid being bit. However, will they get sick by eating a BR, poison gland and all?

bugman · July 16, 2005, 6:56am

I have not heard of any instances were a cat eating a BR has been a problem. I’ll check around, and see if any of my fellow PCO’s in Recluse country can site any times when it has been an issue.

bugman · July 20, 2005, 7:00am

Okay, as promised… I checked with a few other entomolgists, and one that specializes in spiders responded to my question.

I posed your question to a spider expert that I found on the internet, and here is his reply.

From: R**********@u.washington.edu
To: "@***.com

Spiders of any kind have zero toxicity by ingestion. The venom is a protein which is digested and contributes to overall nutrition like any other protein. There is actually a page on my web site that deals with this - people commonly confuse venom with poison but they are not the same thing. The only way the cat could suffer any harm would be by being bitten in the act of eating the spider. I’m not sure, but I think cats might not have a huge reaction to Loxosceles venom. However, I don’t remember where I heard that so it might not be true.

Personally, I’m happy to share my home with both cats and spiders. All happy predators together :-).
Your friend might be interested in some of the following recluse info:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/site/free/hlsa0805.htm
Myth of the Brown Recluse Fact, Fear, and Loathing | Spider Research
Spider Myths | Burke Museum

—R*******, Burke Museum, Seattle, USA *****@u.washington.edu

As for sharing my house, I think he is a little on the extreme and likely never been bitten.