Community Forums

downeaster · 08-27-2013, 10:03 AM

Looking for a way to rid a spider in our motorhome. We live in Maine but purchased our Class A from FL and drove it up from there. Within the last month we have seen this huge, probably about 2" in diameter including the legs, spider. Have done a bit of research and think it might be a wolf spider since it does not look like anything native to our area and feel we probably brought him from FL. Hubby saw it once when we entered the RV after dark and turned on a light. It was curled up around the smoke detector. I saw it again today when I entered. He was on the step leading in to the RV. Both times there has been quite and that is when he came out. I am creeped out and not sure if I can travel in this until we rid our visitor. Should I be concerned? We also travel with a deaf cat. Is the cat in any danger from this spider? We put sticky mats and spayed some repellant a week ago but apparently that has not done the trick. Any help as to what to do would be appreciated. This is ruining my enjoyment of our RV. We are scheduled to take a trip in a couple weeks and I don't want to go under the present circumstance.

PyrateSilly · 08-27-2013, 10:54 AM

If it is a wolf spider then they come out mostly at night and hunt for water. Do not go to bed with a wet head .... Wolf Spiders of Kentucky - University of Kentucky Entomology .... How to Get Rid of Wolf Spiders in the House | eHow for some ways to get rid of them

vscoggin · 08-27-2013, 11:02 AM

If its not a black widow(doesnt sound like it), or a brown recluse(will have a "fiddle" on its back with 3 eyes)--no worry-- whatever it is-- just kill it and enjoy tour trip. LMHO---Vince

BFlinn181 · 08-27-2013, 11:04 AM

Buy a couple of insecticide foggers. Place one in the front and one in the back, open valves and close up the RV. By the next day I think you'll be rid of not only spiders but any other hitchhikers from Florida. Follow cautions about food and plastics, if any on box.

Razzman · 08-27-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Buy a couple of insecticide foggers. Place one in the front and one in the back, open valves and close up the RV. By the next day I think you'll be rid of not only spiders but any other hitchhikers from Florida. Follow cautions about food and plastics, if any on box.

The problem with a fogger is unless you see visual confirmation the spider is dead you'll never know if you got it unless you come across it! And if you do use a fogger make darn sure you clean every inch of the unit afterwards. As you have a cat you don't want the cat licking anything or himself with the residue around.

Bug bombs don't just kill pests: People, pets also sickened by foggers - seattlepi.com

Skip426 · 08-27-2013, 01:12 PM

If, my DW , saw a spider that size, she'd be after it with a pump action 12 gauge,

and I'd have no MH left.

downeaster · 08-27-2013, 01:59 PM

Thanks for all your info and suggestions. Have found out since the first post that perhaps we did not pick him up in FL. One of the local PD's about 30 miles from here are located in an old building that is home to either one or more wolf spiders. They took a picture of one of them and showed it to me. However they have no suggestions as to how to handle it. Hubby sent me to buy the store out of large sticky traps used for mice and rodents in hopes that the spider will step on one during it's travels. I did get the name of the local Orkan folks and might try them. Reluctant to use a fogger due to the cat traveling with us. If you think of anything else, don't hesitate to chime in. I'll keep you posted. I'm afraid I will never know if he's gone unless we see him on the sticky paper and I'm hoping there is only one!

Hooligan · 08-27-2013, 02:49 PM

I have used "TERRO" Spider Traps and spray, --seems effective. The traps can be laid flat, but pets are less likely to get in them if they are folded like a tent and put under cabinets etc.

http://www.terro.com/products/spider-trap

datrbone8 · 08-27-2013, 02:52 PM

A Maine winter will kill it naturally

The Okie · 08-27-2013, 03:08 PM

There is a product called tempo. We can buy it at the local fertilizer store. We live in a rural area. You can mix it spray around walls and baseboards it will do the trick. Check the label use as directed. I just did a quick search for tempo insecticide lots of places to buy online.

Afubar · 08-27-2013, 03:10 PM

Why not leave the spider alone? He'll keep down any other bugs that might try to inhabit your MH. Who knows, your cat may enjoy having a playmate.

Years ago when I lived in Florida, I had a bunch of aquariums, some salt water (can we say expensive?). Had major problems with palmetto bugs and because of the fish tanks, could not use insecticide, so I asked the little old lady that lived nearby what she used (she had fish tanks as well). She told me to go get myself a tarantula and turn it loose. I must say after the first week had no more palmetto bug problem. It turned out I was allergic to the hair on the spider so I could always tell when it had been on the bed, other than that, I never saw it, unless I was vacuuming and moved furniture or turned on the kitchen light in the middle of the night.

Good Luck
Kaye

Brockx · 08-27-2013, 03:21 PM

If it is a Wolf Spider it is a little one, seeing them around 4 inch diameter with the legs, is fairly common. They are fast as hell and very smart. I saw one on a chair in my Lanai, just caught a movement out of the corner of my eye on the chair back. As I would approach it would go to the back, or around to the front, took two of us to out fox it and get a hit with the swatter. If hunting is not good it will leave on it's own accord.

Dapperdan · 08-27-2013, 03:59 PM

Wolf spiders overall are more menacing looking than harmful. FYI, they do run in pairs!!!!

jzick · 08-27-2013, 05:25 PM

Our winter home is in FL and we see wolf spiders once in a while. I have heard that they keep tigers and elephants away and, sure enough, I do not see any tigers or elephants. Seriously, they are pretty harmless, just ugly and scary. We just whack them with a shoe or rolled up paper - try to wait until they are on the tile floor so clean up is easy.