False widow spider - newest scaremongering?
- Thread starter shifty_uk
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Where did I say that?
I was simply pointing out that there is actual scientific evidence that the particular genus of spider has seen a population boom and being found further North.
Soldato
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Uhh. That's kinda the exact reason why he said no more dangerous than eating peanuts. As there is a high risk of death if you're one of the very few people who are allergic to them. Kinda the point he is making........
My point was that he seems to dismiss such a thing as though its not an issue though.
Also for a second time now, I never said anything about death being a risk, I said that somebody who reacts to the bite is more likely to suffer from detrimental effects to a worse degree.
There is no point scaremongering, I fully agree on that. But can you not see that some education in the manner could also be quite beneficial? For example, if you suffer from allergies and a poor immune system, perhaps best not to go messing with spiders, or wear gloves when working in the garden etc.
Once again, its not going to kill you, but it has a medically significant bite to humans. They didn't give it that status to no reason.
I used to keep Tarantulas (Due to Lopez thread here on OCUK in the early 00's) and there are a few such genera that have such bites. The effect they have one people can vary from little symptoms other than the actual puncture wound of the site and some swelling, to that of shaking, headaches and needing to go to hospital. People are different.
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Soldato
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He doesn't suggest it isn't an issue, he suggests that the risk is roughly equivalent to eating a peanut which can also cause undesirable reactions with some people, just like wasp stings etc.
Randomly came across this and remembered this thread: http://elwellpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/guest-post-the-false-scourge-of-the-false-widow/
So folk are so scared there no longer content with a quick thwack from a rolled up newspaper, there actually indulging in a full on bout of fisticuffs?, this is an outrage!.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-widow-spiders-invade-britain-2474754
It just gets worse!
Only joking, I'm sure any Black Widows that have made it here will die out in the winter months?
It just gets worse!
Only joking, I'm sure any Black Widows that have made it here will die out in the winter months?
Soldato
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Found 2 in the house so far this autumn, if you research it you will find it's been blown vastly out of proportion. More people die a year from bee stings, and from what I read you would have to squeeze one quite hard to provoke it into biting you.
The only issue with getting bitten is if you have an allergic reaction, but the same could be said for getting bitten or stung by anything.
The only issue with getting bitten is if you have an allergic reaction, but the same could be said for getting bitten or stung by anything.
wait wait HOLD ON THERE
Are you saying newspapers are exaggerating the stories? .....preposterous.
...how can you just, go on the internet, and lie?
no they hibernate, Ive got one hiding in my Car door Mirror at the moment
A black widow hiding in your car door mirror
.....Or do you mean a false widow . Reports of Black Widows from America have been about a handful, I would not have thought that amount of Black widows could colonise in the UK and with winter approaching they surely would be wiped out.I don't actually mind uk spiders tbh, Though all this talk about black widows possibly migrating here gives me a bit of a cold sweat, That said it was a mirror article so I will ignore for the time being.
