Tag Archives: spiders

Things That Go Bump In The Night

When I was married I didn’t worry about things like noises in the night or spiders. After all, I had a husband and he always took care of those things. This was not something I thought about before the divorce but once I was living alone I found that there wasn’t anyone else around to kill my spiders. It was time to put on my big girl panties and deal with creepy crawlies and things that go bump in the night. Those first few nights were the worst. I had never actually lived alone in my life. I left my … Continue reading →

The Green Way to Get Rid of Spiders

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(I hate spiders. I have respect for almost all other living things. I’ve been known to capture a ladybug in a cup, cover it with my hand, and then take the elevator down seven stories to set it free in the garden below my old office. But, I hate spiders. So, needless to say, I was a bit freaked out when I saw what I considered to be a large brown spider on my front porch a few weeks ago. I panicked and went for the spider spray my husband keeps in the garage for just such occasions. I hate … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Sep 10-16

If you missed any of the Pets Blog last week you’ve clicked the right place to catch up. Here’s what Aimee and I wrote on: Monday, September 10 I related the big fun Murph has with his flying monkey. (Nope, they’re not just for Dorothy and Toto to play with anymore.) Oh what a tangled web we weave…when we walk our dogs? Well, when Aimee walks her dogs. She becomes the Amazing Spider Head! And because of her encounters, it got her to wondering about poisonous spiders. Best to know what they look like in case she comes across them. … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Spider Bites

A spider crawled out from underneath the stove last night and chased me around the kitchen. Like the calm, brave person I am, I screamed for the dogs to save me. They sat and watched the show. Their lack of reaction to a spider got me thinking about spider bites. Most spider bites are uncomfortable, but not dangerous — you can treat them pretty much the same way you would treat a bee sting or wasp sting. Relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. Keep an eye out for an infection developing at the bite site. If your pet is … Continue reading →

Poisonous Spiders

In light of how many spider webs I’ve walked into lately, I thought it might be a good time to familiarize myself with poisonous spiders. There are eight fairly common poisonous spiders in the United States. Most spiders bite when threatened — they don’t tend to run around chomping on people otherwise. Widow spiders are probably the most common kind of poisonous spider in the United States. They are approximately the size of a blueberry, and have the infamous red hourglass shape on their undersides. Body color and hourglass shape vary from one species to another. Widow spider venom is … Continue reading →

The Amazing Spider Head

You’ve probably heard of that OTHER amazing spider person… I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about me. There’s a disturbing new trend in my walks with Moose and Lally. A few days ago, the dogs wrapped me around a tree. Nothing new, really — Moose goes one way, Lally goes the other, and I have to do some quick juggling before we walk on. I ducked underneath a branch after swapping the leashes and… walked face first into a spider web. Being the brave, unflappable individual that I am, I screamed something like GAH or GUH and ducked away. … Continue reading →

Home Pest Control: Spiders

Many spiders are fairly harmless unless a person is sensitive to spider bites. In fact, spiders can be useful as they help control other insects. However, some spiders are venomous and can cause severe reactions, especially in small children, the elderly, or people in poor health or with compromised immune systems. Some people are also allergic. There are some things you can do to help decrease the spider population in your home and lessen the chance of being bitten by a spider. The first step is to dust and vacuum thoroughly and regularly, especially in corners, crevices, and out of … Continue reading →