So You Think You'll Be Sharing Your Melbourne Crib with Eight-Legged Roommates? A Guide to Huntsman Spiders
Ah, Melbourne. The sporting capital, the cultural hub, and the land where nature likes to remind you exactly who's boss... by occasionally dropping enormous spiders into your lap. But fear not, intrepid traveller or arachnophobe-in-training! This handy guide will shed some light on the likelihood of encountering a huntsman spider in your Melbourne digs.
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| How Common Are Huntsman Spiders In Melbourne |
Huntsman Who?
Let's get one thing straight: huntsman spiders are not your average creepy-crawlies. These guys are the Usain Bolts of the spider world, boasting leg spans that can rival a dinner plate. While their size might make you want to call for an air strike, rest assured, their bark is worse than their bite (and thankfully, they don't bark). Huntsman spiders are actually quite shy and, dare I say, beneficial. They're nature's pest control, munching on all sorts of creepy crawlies you'd rather not share your space with.
So, How Common Are These Behemoths?
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Inner City Dwellers: Breathe Easy
If you're nestled in the heart of Melbourne's bustling CBD, encountering a huntsman is about as likely as spotting a platypus tap-dancing on Swanston Street. High-rise buildings just aren't their cup of tea.
Suburban Safari:
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Now, things get a bit trickier in the suburbs. Huntsman spiders love a bit of greenery, so the closer you are to parks, trees, or even those luscious ferns your neighbour insists on keeping alive, the higher the chances of seeing one scurry across your wall. But even then, it's not an everyday occurrence. Think of it like a surprise visit from an eccentric relative – exciting (for some), but not a permanent fixture.
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Huntsman Hangouts:
Here are some prime huntsman hideouts to keep an eye on:
- Behind furniture: Especially those places that haven't seen the light of day since 1999.
- In your shoes: Let's face it, some shoes deserve a good spider eviction anyway.
- High ceilings: Because apparently, spiders like to practice social distancing too.
How to Share Your Space (Uneventfully) with a Huntsman Spider
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
Rule number one: Don't panic! These guys are more scared of you than you are of them.
Here are some tips for a peaceful co-existence:
- The Gentle Scoop: If you find a huntsman exploring your living room, arm yourself with a cup and a piece of paper (or a very brave friend), and gently usher the spider outside.
- Catch and Release (Without the Catch): For the truly squeamish, a trusty spider relocation tool (available at most hardware stores) can help you humanely evict your eight-legged guest.
Huntsman FAQs:
How to tell if you have a huntsman spider?
Easy! Look for a spider the size of a small dinner plate with lightning-fast legs.
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How dangerous are huntsman spider bites? Their bite is about as pleasant as a mozzie bite, but not deadly.
How to keep huntsman spiders away?
Keep your house clean and free of insects (their food source). Sealing up gaps around windows and doors can also help.
How to avoid freaking out when you see a huntsman spider? Deep breaths and remind yourself they're actually helping you out by keeping the bug population in check.
How to appreciate huntsman spiders? Well, that might be a stretch, but at least you can appreciate that they're not funnel-web spiders, Melbourne's venomous eight-legged residents (but that's a whole other story for another day).
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