BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TARANTULAS – those black-brown furry spiders – are appearing in St. Kitts with amazing frequency much to alarm of those who fear they may injure them fatally, and those who have an innate fear of spiders of any type.
On Thursday, two persons from St. Peters came into the offices of SKNVibes, one distraught with fear and the other amazed at how frequently these spiders are now being found.
They brought with them the evidence – containers with the pest that had been ruining their lives. One container had close to a dozen tarantulas captured in a relatively short space of time.
They claimed that these spiders are now entering their dwellings, coming in from the nearby empty plot of land, and described their actions as frightening.
Not only did they observe them squirting their “venom”, they say, but they also related in alarm how they could jump on you and did not wait to crawl up.
According to them, these spiders are appearing with greater frequency. So far they have been sighted in St. Peters, at the Springfield cemetery and in the area of the Ross University. Some persons from outside Basseterre claim that they see them frequently.
SKNVibes contacted the Agriculture Dept to ascertain whether it had become a concern or whether any efforts were being made to eradicate the pest.
There is presently a dire need to educate the population, both to allay their fears concerning the extent of the danger tarantulas pose to them and to advise them on what they ought to do should they be bitten. They also need to know how best they could go about eradicating them.
As we were unable to make contact with any knowledgeable person at the Department, we proceeded to do our own research from creditable sources.
The American Tarantula Society Internet site, says that the tarantula's "venom is of no medical significance, and contrary to popular belief, nobody has ever died from such a bite…" Other authorities, however, say that a tarantula's bite can trigger an allergic reaction, making you gasp or feel ill, calling for a visit to the doctor.
They also state “you will likely suffer no more discomfort than you would from the sting of a bee or contact with stinging nettle. You may still wish to minimize that discomfort.”
Treating the Bite
If you suffer a tarantula bite, which, typically, will cause redness, localized pain, swelling and a weal, you should promptly:
1. Wash the site with soap and water to minimize the chance of infection
2. Apply a cool compress or even an ice cube to induce numbness and reduce swelling
3. Apply a paste of powdered meat tenderizer mixed with water to reduce irritation
4. Apply a topical cortisone or Benadryl cream to reduce irritation; and
5. Be alert for symptoms of an infection or allergic reaction.
Treating Allergic Reactions and Infections
You should seek medical care if you experience allergic reactions such as:
• Abdominal cramps and nausea
• Chest tightness and breathing trouble
• Headache
• Rash (hives), or
• Headache, especially if accompanied by anxiety
You should also seek medical care in the event of infection, which may be indicated by:
• Localized pain
• Reddish streaks and warmth at the injury site
• A yellowish discharge from the site
• Lumps in the groin or armpits
• Generalized aching and fever
This is what we found concerning the control of tarantulas. Hopefully the Agriculture and Health Departments will follow up to tell us more.
Control of Tarantulas
At the outset, you should consider consulting a pest control firm for information about the best procedures for controlling the spiders in your local area.
Once you have located tarantulas' nests, you will likely find that you have a number of readily available options for killing the spiders and the egg sacs. For instance, you can use a dry powder, a wettable powder, a glue-based spider traps, or a liquid spray. The powders and traps may prove more effective because spiders, unlike various insects, do not absorb liquid chemicals through their feet and legs.
After eliminating the spiders and egg sacs, you can remove the webs with specially designed dusters. You can also collect the dead (and living) spiders, egg sacs and webs with a small specially designed and inexpensive vacuum. You can discourage future infestations by applying a chemical spray that impedes nest building.
Whatever methods you choose, you should - with guidance from your local pest control firm - wear protective clothing and glasses, especially if you working in close spaces, to minimize the risk of spider bites and chemical inhalation.
If tarantulas and other spiders become chronic visitors, you may need to reduce the nightlights that attract insect prey and reduce clutter that affords nesting sites. You might have to repeat control efforts as needed.
Tarantulas will present the greatest fear to those who suffer from Arachnophobia – the fear of spiders, which can be triggered by the mere thought of a spider or even by a picture of a spider in some cases.
Many people who fear spiders feel panic entering a situation where spiders may be present. Symptoms of Arachnophobia include excessive sweating, rapid breathing, a quickened heartbeat, nausea and dizziness.
