I’m beginning to think that sweet little old lady I bought my house from wasn’t so sweet after all. Supposedly she fell in love at nearly 80 years of age and sailed off into the sunset with her knight in shining walker. Frankly, I think she left to escape the spiders. Not ordinary house spiders, mind you, but wolf spiders that are sometimes mistaken for small dogs.
You may recall that I started finding these unwelcome visitors in my house shortly after I moved in. They were larger than most spiders I had seen in my lifetime, but not particularly frightening – until the incident in the garage. One night I walked into my garage to find a huge wolf spider feasting on a neighborhood cat. I took off my shoe and threw it at him, but he quickly ran under the car, but not before giving me the finger. It took damn near all night, but I finally got the better of him. There’s still a stain on the garage floor.
The next day I called Orkin and signed a one year contract. It has definitely helped, as I’ve seen only a few indoor spiders since that time. However, there are a multitude of them living outside the house. There are webs in the flower beds and the shrubs. And at night you can’t go outside without seeing several of them running across the patio.
My washer and dryer are located in the garage. I took a load of laundry out last night and encountered yet another huge spider. I trapped him under a box and figured I’d just leave him there to die. Then I’d be able to get a photo for my blog. I went back to my computer and chatted with my buddy Andrew. When I told him about the spider, he relayed his own spider story. He had thrown a wolf spider out of his house in the dead of winter. An hour later, he felt guilty and went to check on it. There it was lifeless and shriveled up in the snow. After hearing that story, I felt some guilt of my own, and turned my spider loose and chased him out of the garage.
He came back with a vengeance. During the night, he found his way into the house and was waiting for me when I got out of the shower this morning. It was like looking into the eyes of Satan himself! And completely by accident, I discovered just how to get rid of him. In an attempt to escape my bathroom, I dropped my towel. The spider ran behind the sink. I haven’t seen him since. My guess is that he was so scarred by what he saw that he high-tailed it out of my house.
Maybe that explains why I’m single.
October 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Hah! Seems we’ve got dueling spider stories today, Tish.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Actually, Tish, I was so taken with your beauty that I’ve just decided to hang out here behind the sink where I can feast my eyes on you whenever I like.
Please don’t call Orkin.
(Is that too creepy?)
October 4th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Andrew - Awesome! And how nice of you to dedicate your post to me!
Spidey - Wow. I’ve never had a spider admirer before! If I kiss you will you turn into a prince? If so, you can stay.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Hey Tish! Great post! I had spiders like that in one of my houses - after collecting *15* of them in one night, I took them to the pest control’s office and put them on the manager’s desk (in a baggie). They came out and sprayed that day.
Have you noticed that as the weather cools down, they come in your house more? You might want to check your windows, doors, etc., and make sure everything’s sealed tight to try to deter them.
October 4th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hopefully he does not report you as a flasher, or worst yet think your dropping the towel as an invitation. I can visilize it now…spidey kicked back on your pillow awaiting you tonight as you hit the bed…….I suggest you keep a can of Raid on the night stand.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Don’t be silly - he was so entranced he went back immediately to brag to all his spidey-friends. Now they’ll all be back, sitting in little lawn chairs with tiny coolers and binoculars.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Tish! What a creepy crawly! I’m afraid of creepy crawlies and would be jumping or hiding to take cover. And of course, I will move out and buy a new house! Yes, I’m that afraid.
Aw, I don’t think he’s scared of what he saw. He was just so surprised and maybe be coming back with few friends! Hurry call the Orkin! Can’t Orkin chase them away for good forever?
October 5th, 2007 at 12:13 am
All I can say is Eeeccch! I hate spiders! When i was younger I ran through a web of some big spider and it landed on my chest. Can’t stand them.
I doubt your spider ran away in revulsion, he probably ran home to get his camera.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:51 am
Came across your entry accidentally & found out this really creative reason of still being single… makes me wonder “maybe this reason too apply to my case”…
October 5th, 2007 at 3:01 am
We have big spiders that occasionally make their way into the house. I came in one day and my son was “protecting” my daughter from a big one. It was on the ceiling and he’d created a “non-violent spider trap” (his name, not mine) out of a ziplock freezer bag and a toilet plunger. Worked like a charm and the spider lived to tell the tale.
Oh, and one other thing. That spider got eight eyes full, not just two! Eek.
Take care.
October 5th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Im sure he will be back!!
October 5th, 2007 at 7:39 am
If you kiss me will I turn into a prince??? I don’t know.
Look at me. I’m a hairy wolf spider. In all recorded history no one has EVER kissed a wolf spider. Surely you’re not suggesting anything.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:40 am
:D…naughty spider!! I just don’t like spiders!! Spiderman is okay, though ;P
October 5th, 2007 at 8:39 am
How funny! I was just teaching the kids about the art of the tall tale, through McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm. I don’t think I’ll share yours with them, due to the adult nature and all, but it’s a great story!
October 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Tish, I am soooo sorry. I saw that nasty spider and got all scared and stuff and just jumped right off your newly cleansed body. And I think when I hit the floor I scared the bejeezus outta that creepy crawly, because I saw him bolt into some small crack behind the sink…
October 5th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Well my day is going horribly! Trying to set up a WordPress blog on GoDaddy server, and having a really bad two days because of it. And I don’t know a thing about WordPress too boot! It’s not pretty.
But I come over here and get my giggles, thank you for that! I have one word for your spiders - ‘diatomaceous earth’, get it at a garden store, sprinkle all over your yard and inside too (it’s a dust that is really safe for pets) and they will be gone! Poof!
Also wanted you to know that QuickCare Pet Insurance (link below) does exclude for preexisting conditions, but they also have accident/new illness type of insurance you may want to look into as another option. Good news about the ASPCA thing.
http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1830651-10372343
Hope you have a good weekend, Tish! We are off to another agility trial. Yeah - that will perk us up.
Woofs, Johann
October 5th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Not the reasons I’ve heard, but I love ya anyway!
October 5th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I can’t stand spiders… we have quite a few in our house too. Spiders make me nervous. I always check inside my shoes and look under my sheets. They are really nasty little creatures. Outside the house they are very useful. Its just when they cross the borders and enter into my domain is when they are issued a death sentence. lol
October 5th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Kel - Thanks! Glad you like the post! And 15 spiders all in one day?? Ugh!! At least the pest place came out and sprayed! Hopefully that took care of the problem! I’ll take your advice and make sure that everything is sealed well. Have a great night!
Wm - That’s a scary thought. I’m on my way to Walmart to pick up a can of Raid now!
Barry - *LOL* I think that might be a scarier thought than Wm’s!
Emila - I hope he doesn’t come back with friends! I’m definitely calling Orkin! Thanks for stopping by! Always nice to see you here.
John - Haha! I can just imagine the polaroids circulating now!
Amanda - Thanks for stopping by! Maybe we can start a support group!
Steve - Ewww. 8 eyes full??! Why did you have to go and mention that?
Casdok - That’s not what I want to hear!
Spidey - No one has ever kissed a wolf spider and lived to tell the tale at least! hehe.
Choc - Spiderman rocks! He has always been one of my favorite superheroes!
Geneva - Glad you like the story! I have a knack for tall tales.
My Towel - Thanks for trying to make me feel better. hehe…
Johann - So sorry to hear about your Wordpress problems. I tried to move my site to paid hosting a while back, and it was a complete disaster. I ended up deciding to stay with Wordpress until I know just what the heck I’m doing. Good luck! And thanks for the insurance link! I will check it out for sure. Oh, and I’m going to try your tip about the spiders! Thanks!
Mushy - Never trust a pathological liar. But I love ya anyway!
You rock.
Garry - Haha! I don’t even like them living outside my house. They get a death sentence just for stepping onto my property! Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the blogroll link and the awesome compliments! Coming from a professional like you, it means a LOT!
October 6th, 2007 at 12:20 am
i know the feeling! maybe i should try that tactic - with the spiders I mean. i’ve already got my husband scared away…
October 6th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Don’t fret, who wants a spider for a boyfriend anyway.
Just don’t get bit!
Wishing you happy days!
October 6th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Oh..I hate spiders!!!! We live in a basement apartment (that is fabulous by the way) and now that the weather is cooler at night, we have those jumping spiders that are huge!! I guess they are called cave crickets or something. No matter what they are called, I don’t like that they are in my house!!
Sorry I haven’t stopped by in forever, but y home comupter is still being a bitch and I never have time at work to be on here…(sneaking at the moment)
October 6th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
It sounds like an arachnid conspiracy to me.
All the same, here’s to finding a way to take out those evil creatures in time to guarantee yourself some holiday lovin’.
October 6th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Good lord wolf spiders are huge, I never knew until I looked them up on Google. And I’m not gonna lie, if I saw one of those in my house, I would pick up a couch and throw it at’em.
October 7th, 2007 at 4:12 am
Amy - *LOL* That was hilarious, but I’m sure you’re very wrong about that. You’re a cutie. I’m sure your husband is happy to have you!
Rachel - Thanks! I hope you’re doing well.
Jan - I hate the cave crickets too. There are always a few hanging out in my garage. Ugh! Nice to see you. I hope all is well in your world!
Dan - Thanks! The only holiday lovin’ I plan to have is just enjoying the holidays by myself. hehe.
Bush - Yeah, the first time I saw one, I freaked out! Fortunately, most of the spiders that get into my house are not those big hairy wolf spiders. When I first moved in, I found quite a few large spiders in the house, but I haven’t seen many lately. Guess those Orkin treatments are working!
October 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Well, I’m of two minds on Mr Wolf Spider. On one hand, they eat lots of other creepy bugs, including most other spiders, and are not poisonous, as I recall. On the other hand, they have a very painful bite.
I saw this doohickey in Skymall mag that supposed throws off ultasonic waves they hate and stay away from. Of course, ten years from now you’ll be seeing a latenight commercial declaring that the device causes brain cancer.
SA
October 13th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Sarcasm - I’ve heard that the wolf spiders are very aggressive as well. But if they’re keeping Brown Recluses and Black Widows away, perhaps I should let them stay!