Big black Spiders in the pool! - Spanish Real Estate forum - Spanish property

Linka · 08-24-2008, 10:51 PM

Does anyone know what they are? We have found loads this year as we did last year at the same time. Does anyone have any idea where they come from and if they bite?

Homefinder · 08-25-2008, 01:44 PM

Balcak Hairy Spiders (Tarantulas) in Swimming Pools

The black hairy spiders that are often found in swimming pools are Tarantulas. You can read about there here in Wikipedia.
Tarantulas have a poisionous bite but this no worse than a bee-sting. They are not agressive and have to be provoked or surprised before they will bite a human.
A problem for small children could be that the Trantula does not have much fear of humans, like most wild creatures, and would not generally run away.
During the hot weather they are often found (usually drowned) in swimming pools. I think that they are trying to drink the water and perhaps fall in.
Poor little things! Linka - Why don't you leave out a saucer at night?

Other poisonous creatures in Spain: The very worst is the Black Widow Spider

but they are very rare - fortunately! Even so their bite is rarely fatal.
We have wasps, bees and even adders, just the same as in UK!
Scorpion stings can be quite painful but not life threatening.
All of these creatures (except bees and wasps) are not agressive by nature and want to get away from humas. However, if you get bitten by anything it is always best to get medical attention and a good idea is to go to a pharmacia.

Personally, if I came across a tarantula, snake or even a scorpion, I would not kill it but just let it get away. The problem with Tarantulas is that they don't want to move, so I would capture it and move it to somewhere safe.

Homefinder

Linka · 08-25-2008, 03:25 PM

Tarantulas You say....... TARANTULAS.. WWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Had two of the little darlings in my bathroom last summer, One was in my swimming suit, if I hadn't shaken it I would have put in on with it inside. Yuck! I was very brave and captured them in a pint glass and let them go in the garden.
Another Day Guy came out for a swim and had one walking up his towel. He soon dropped it when I shouted BIG SPIDER!! There is somethig very funny about a big man jumping in the air and screaming.
My Poor mother in law is extreamly phobic and won't go anywhere near the pool until its been checked.She is convinced they can hold their breath and bite under water!!

I will put out a saucer of water for them, maybe a small steak, some little chairs and a tiny table .....

Homefinder · 08-25-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

I Had two of the little darlings in my bathroom last summer, One was in my swimming suit, if I hadn't shaken it I would have put in on with it inside. Yuck! I was very brave and captured them in a pint glass and let them go in the garden.
Another Day Guy came out for a swim and had one walking up his towel. He soon dropped it when I shouted BIG SPIDER!! There is somethig very funny about a big man jumping in the air and screaming.

Linka - Sounds to me like you must have a nest of them around. I just phoned a pool cleaner friend of mine who has 30 pools and he says that he sees 2 or 3 a week but only when the weather is really hot.

I tried to find out what you can do -

Get a pet snake(s) - they eat spiders. If the snakes breed and you are overrun by them you need a mongoose as well.
Stop feeding your cats and train them to eat spiders.
Contact the anti-tarantula service. There is guaranteed that you will get no drowned tarantulas in your swimming pool for one year and only costs 99.00 Euros. I'll put you in touch if you like.

Quote:

My Poor mother in law is extreamly phobic and won't go anywhere near the pool until its been checked.She is convinced they can hold their breath and bite under water!!

Could you please collect and save me 4 or 5 spiders. My ex-wife is here next week!

Homefinder

Linka · 08-25-2008, 07:30 PM

No problem I will get collecting right away! Good plan with the cats I will set them on it at once.

Homefinder · 08-25-2008, 07:36 PM

I am extremely dissapointed

You are not interested in Plan C then, the guaranteed anti-tarantula service for 99.00 Euros?
It also eliminates drowned rats, birds and most classes of insect creapy-crawlies!
Homefinder

Linka · 08-25-2008, 09:09 PM

I am not interested for 99 euro's no,as I don't mind spiders and we don't have a telly, So anything is a delight for me.! BUT I am rather curious at how it works? Do Tell..

Homefinder · 08-26-2008, 12:53 PM

Well done Linka - you outflanked me on that one.
If you had wanted the guaranteed for a year 99.00 Euros service I would have replied saying "Get your 99 Euros ready and I'll be round tomorrow to drain your pool"

Homefinder

Linka · 08-26-2008, 01:26 PM

I see, But no need as the saucer of water is going down a storm. If anything its getting a little out of hand. Last night it turned into a full on Party with bongo drums and dancing into the early hours. I'm am thinking of issuing asbos!

Homefinder · 08-31-2008, 03:37 PM

Well really - That is interesting!
Don't forget to save any dead spiders that drown in your pool.
My ex-wife arrives tomorrow and she likes them done in batter with onion rings, for breakfast.

Homefinder