Simply Bananas

Sorry this photo is out of focus, but you can see that this is a spider with an hourglass.

I went out in the yard the other day and spotted this spider wrapped in my banana leaf. I let her live...for now... and will likely relocate her.

That being said, there has been an outbreak of Brown Widows in coastal SC. I am not sure why, but they have showing up in huge numbers the last 2 or 3 years. Up until now they have been in fairly well hidden places, but they can nest where you may place your hand. Be careful...even around the bananas!

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Dean W.

Be careful where you put your hand then!

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bencelest

I used to kill them until someone in the forum told me spiders are beneficial.

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Banana Nut

magicgreen

Beneficial or not....If they're in my house.....they are dead!!

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)

mskitty38583

black widow spiders can kill you.....kill them before they get you! i dont care how benificial they are...they are deadly.

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CookieCows

I didn't know there were brown widows! I read up on it and what I read said there are red widows too. Good grief .. thanks for posting!

I have a rediculous fear of spiders which is part of my problem with not being able to let go of pesticides. Our aquaponics venture this year is helping me overcome as we can't even use soap to kill the bugs because it'll kill the fish so I am dealing with those evil looking black jumping spiders which I know are benificial and reaching my hands into the leaves to pick veges!

Deb

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thebes11

Black, brown, red....if it's got that marking on it, I'm killing it. And I'm not a-scared of most spiders. We have a resident banana spider (ironic isn't it?) that spins a web most evening between the deck and the house. I love watching it. Of course this fascination leads to me breaking some of the web supports so I can watch it re-build. I doubt he (she?) has the same fondness for me....

mskitty38583

im seriously allergic to spider bites( requires hospilization) so needless to say, if they are in my house they die. if the spin webs in my personal zone they die. i also like watching the banana spiders build their webs....i try very hard not to kill a spider....but when found 5 nest of a black widow under my ashtray outside....i went and got some spray just for them. then i mashed her into the ground. the spray i got was amazing. it burnt the nest (smoke was rolling off them) and i was like wahoo! sorry to all you spider lovers out there.

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proletariatcsp

Black widow spider
Brown widow spider

Back in New Jersey we were infested with them. With over 2,000 species, the state has more spiders per square mile, than any other part of the country.
Makes going outside in rural areas nearly impossible without walking through a web at some point.

During the summer months, spiders are most active, especially 'Widows.' I'd have to wear gloves doing yard work, and always clear my work shoes if left outside.
Also, ALWAYS, always checked plants thoroughly before bringing inside.

Considering Widow's toxicity, I would not bother trying to relocate it as there is always the possibility of it coming into your home.
Some might disagree, but why take that risk.

Furthermore, I recommend destroying any venomous spiders in your garden, since they do not tend to coexist with other species and kill the benificial ones.
By all means, this is not to suggest you destroy all spiders, because they can be very benificial as I'm sure you are aware.

Dean W.

I have plenty of lizards and birds that have seemed to keep the spiders at bay in my garden.

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bencelest

I don't even know what black widow looks like. I just leave them alone to reside at my citrus and other plants.
No bother me or them.

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Banana Nut

proletariatcsp

Black widow spider

Bananaman88

I found a huge (3" across from right side to left side legs) spider out on my patio one night about a week ago. I thought it was awesome, but my wife did not agree! From pictures I saw on the internet, I think it is a wolf spider.

bencelest

Thanksfor the pic. I thought I saw them before.

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Banana Nut

proletariatcsp

There are a few large fuzzy brown ones in FL. Could be a Feild Wolf or a Huntsman would be my guess. Both are non-venomous however, the huntsman is known to bite when threatened or prtecting its young. They are definately good to have lurking around the nanners.

mskitty38583

we have those great big, huge jumping grass spiders here. when your down on the dirt trying to weed a bed and one jumps right out at you it makes you feel like you have to go change your clothes!

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xavierdlc61887

hells yeahhhh boiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thebes11

I've got my official spider relocating tupperware. It has large mouth (about 10 inches diagonal) and it tall, about 12 inches high and clear. It's easy to get over the top of the spider whether on the ground or on a wall. A quick strike doesn't give 'em time to get away. I then slide a piece of carboard between the floor and the tupperware, transport outside and release at the back of my yard. Simple, effective and much less messy than squashing them.

Kenzie_POM

Scary stuff,

I have not found a black or brown widow in my plants. I usually find tree frogs and geckos. The frogs can be scary when they jump on you. I have found black widows in the garage and under the house though. We have since moved. I gotta worry about cottonmouth water moccasin snakes now. Out of the frying pan...

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Cheers then~

Happy Growing

Kenzie

island cassie

I don't mind the big spiders (just as well) as we have huge tarantulas with long chocolate fur - but those tiny spiders that spin webs up on my 28ft ceilings - grrr!! die!!

Cassie