Please "Click back" you Long time Survive "know hows", this is only meant for "New Commers"(better late, than never). I faced the thing of "Canning, with the Crazed Lid". I bought three acres,( only one half cleared) too afraid of the spider things to venture out into the uncleared parts, heavy woods and brush,(Got snakes?). Well, so happens, I have a neighbor, who has lived here, for "many moons", and he is not afraid ( though respectfull of those aggresive snakes). I am going to ask him, if he will lead me through a walk, of the land I am making monthly payments on. I want to "see" what I have bought. I have no doubt, he will do so, if I ask. Just trying to think out, how much "armour" my human mind requires, before such a "Leap in Faith". Well, of course, I want some of those Bee nets, so, I don't have to actually experience the touch of a spider's web in my face (Fellow Shrink, where are you on this one?) Yuck!!! I am going to do it, come Hell or High Water! Looking My Fears Head On

-- Looking Fear, in the face (Meanerandmadder@everyminute.com), November 26, 1999

Answers

You've a long walk Dr. and your journey does not end at the property line..

-- Just put one foot in front (of@the.other), November 26, 1999.

So what's your point? City slicker or what?

-- Spiders Don't Eat Much (snakes@r.us.com), November 26, 1999.

Does this apply to "New Cummers" also??

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 26, 1999.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), November 26, 1999.

Looks like the chemtrails are taking effect. I guess they're spraying pretty heavy in your neck of the woods.

-- Hawk (flyin@high.again), November 26, 1999.

KOS You're out of line buddy!!

-- This (ain't@playboy.com), November 26, 1999.

The only spider that scares me anymore is the Brown Recluse. Small, innocent-looking, but incredibly nasty critter. Do a "Yahoo" search if you have the stomach for it (and learn a new word: "necrosis").

Other than that... spiders are really just clever bugs with two extra legs.

-- consider (wearing@gloves.outside), November 27, 1999.

Re: Brown Recluse Spiders -

be very worried about them. They might be lethal for some if TSHTF. I have been a victim of one of those nasty little critters and it was awful. I have a 4 inch scar on my arm, and feel lucky to have my arm at all.

Within 3 weeks of being bitten, I had surgery to remove the necrosis, and was starting to get gangrene then. This was after taking antibiotics and dapsone. I was given megadoses of antibiotics 3 times at the emergency room in addition to antibiotics taken for 10 days. The doctors were not sure I would keep my arm.

I am not trying to panic anyone, but please, please be cautious. Everyone does not react the same way to recluse bites, but when they go bad, they go real bad. They are in states from Utah to Florida. Be sure you are familiar with a picture of them. Make sure you always use gloves when handling wood outside. These spiders like the dark, and will run if given a chance, but if they bite you, there is nothing to be done but let them run their course. There is no anti- venom for recluse bites.

My email address is real, if anyone has any questions about them.

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), November 27, 1999.

Several other things about recluses....they are generally found in dark places so when you go into a closet watch carefully. Often found in stored boxes or clothing that you haven't worn in a while. Know several people who have pulled on clothing and gotten bitten when they dug out their stored winter things. Girl at work came in last nite with a bite on her cheek where she had gotten bitten in the nite...found spider squashed on her pillow in the morning. Best plan is to never stick your hand in anywhere without looking--goes for snakes,too. Took care of a lady with serious snake bite...almost lost arm..got bitten pulling insulation out of an old house they were remodeling; notorious snake haunt. Another friends child got bitten playing under a porch. We were infested when we moved here to So. MO. as the previous owner had burned down several sheds and just left the ruins. Keep a large perimeter mowed around your home and never wander the woods without boots. Another place they have been found is chicken nest boxes...don't go for the eggs without looking. Personally, I hate ticks worse !!

-- mutti (mutti66@hotmail.com), November 27, 1999.

Looking,

Venture in. Start clearing and burning. Soon your land begins to breathe. I've been doing it for a some time, burning trash, thistle infested fields, cleaning up around the pond.

When I first moved into my place it was falling apart and filled with spiders, mice and other bugs. To hinder spiders in the house start by caulking all the cracks, and crevices around doors and window casings, and clear brush from the house, keep it clean and you will greatly reduce insects, rodents, and fire danger. We still have some spiders but not nearly as many as before.

I doubt if there is a man alive who can tolerate bugs crawling on them and biting so don't worry about being a "city slicker."

By the way, I got stung by a meat bee, hornet, and a spider, both times my arm swelled up and began to throb, went to see the doc and he prescribed over the counter Benydril. Took a few hours till the swelling began to go down. Three benydrils and forget about work, driving and anything else but sleeping.

-- Mark Hillyard (foster@inreach.com), November 27, 1999.

Looking Fear,

There's no law that says you have to be there. An error purchasing the property could also have been made.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 27, 1999.

Got Husbands? Stock up now ..... before they're all drafted.

Squirrel Hunte r>"<

-- SH (xquirrel@huntr.com), November 27, 1999.

Looking Fear:

Be not afraid of the bad woods--the forest is your friend...

When I was in forestry school, we had to spend several weeks at the field camp down in the Boothell, er, Bootheel of Missouri. This entailed many hours, every day, tramping through the woods where trails fear to go. If we didn't finish during the day, we went back after supper (surveying in the dark--what fun!).

Here are a few tips:

1) Sturdy boots; tuck pant leg in top of boot (keep critters out). Gaiters will help keep burrs and sticktight off your pants and laces.

2) Head covering; If you have long hair, tuck it under your hat to prevent snagging on branches. Baseball caps and dew-rags work best.

3) Vegetation Manager; Carry some sort of cutting tool to remove branches and such along the trail (or to establish a trail). We used machetes, but a hand pruner will also work.

4) Stick; Use stick to knock down spider webs in your path. Do not use stick to check if rattlesnake is "sleeping" (trust me).

5) Flagging; Use blaze orange plastic flagging, at eye level, to mark your trail.

6) Watch where you're going. Stop often and look around. Even the most onerous swamp is filled with beauty if you take the time to look.

Spider advice: Always shake out your shoes before putting them on.

-- Sam Mcgee (weissacre@gwtc.net), November 27, 1999.