Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Spider? oh-man!

madrasahs · 07-11-2004, 07:36 PM

I guess dock spiders hang out (sorry) under the dock, but seem to enjoy the sun. There doesn't seem to be anything to eat out there for them.

Anyway, Central Florida has a very similar, even yuckier, spider -- even larger. It likes damp sheds and will stalk oceanfront kitchens in the dark -- not even being startled by a light. It's called the giant crab spider.

Their least engaging feature is when a flashlight is played on them, all of their eyes glow like turquoise crystals!
(Eight, if you need to know). I haven't tried this with a NH dock spider.

Getting rid of them is a long process -- and I have a lot of experience with all of these big spiders.

If you have a shed or dock box that gets/stays wet, (and that's becoming more common with the bigger boats) that's their breeding territory. Although a special spider spray will work there, I enjoy...The Hunt.

You can't stalk a dock spider the way you can a giant crab spider -- dock spiders are too wary. But if you have the patience, they don't seem to recognixe your shoe as a weapon. (You still have to be fast, though).

Otherwise, the easiest way to rid yourself of these nasties is hornet spray. One short, well-aimed squirt is enough. Start your spray at the area they will likely run towards -- and press. They speed off and don't come back. Sometimes, they run off underwater on dock posts.

I may build the Ultimate Dock Spider Trap, though. (The UDST)

Dock spiders like to hang out (sorry again) between damp spaces that allow about ½-inch of room for them. (They hide out under my portable gasoline tanks, which are raised just right for them).

The prototype UDST will be a piece of 3/8ths plywood about the size of a doormat, suspended the requisite ½-inch above the dock, inside a wood frame (to duplicate the gas tank space).

Placed below the stairs leading to the dock (the wettest area, nowadays), every person entering/exiting the dock will have a chance to squish dock spiders without sqeamishness. (Say that fast three times).

('Course I'll have to empty it). Yuck(ier)!

You were warned.

07-11-2004, 07:36 PM	#10
madrasahs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 381 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It gets even Yuckier... I guess dock spiders hang out (sorry) under the dock, but seem to enjoy the sun. There doesn't seem to be anything to eat out there for them. Anyway, Central Florida has a very similar, even yuckier, spider -- even larger. It likes damp sheds and will stalk oceanfront kitchens in the dark -- not even being startled by a light. It's called the giant crab spider. Their least engaging feature is when a flashlight is played on them, all of their eyes glow like turquoise crystals! (Eight, if you need to know). I haven't tried this with a NH dock spider. Getting rid of them is a long process -- and I have a lot of experience with all of these big spiders. If you have a shed or dock box that gets/stays wet, (and that's becoming more common with the bigger boats) that's their breeding territory. Although a special spider spray will work there, I enjoy...The Hunt. You can't stalk a dock spider the way you can a giant crab spider -- dock spiders are too wary. But if you have the patience, they don't seem to recognixe your shoe as a weapon. (You still have to be fast, though). Otherwise, the easiest way to rid yourself of these nasties is hornet spray. One short, well-aimed squirt is enough. Start your spray at the area they will likely run towards -- and press. They speed off and don't come back. Sometimes, they run off underwater on dock posts. I may build the Ultimate Dock Spider Trap, though. (The UDST) Dock spiders like to hang out (sorry again) between damp spaces that allow about ½-inch of room for them. (They hide out under my portable gasoline tanks, which are raised just right for them). The prototype UDST will be a piece of 3/8ths plywood about the size of a doormat, suspended the requisite ½-inch above the dock, inside a wood frame (to duplicate the gas tank space). Placed below the stairs leading to the dock (the wettest area, nowadays), every person entering/exiting the dock will have a chance to squish dock spiders without sqeamishness. (Say that fast three times). ('Course I'll have to empty it). Yuck(ier)! You were warned.