How are you with mice? Cockroaches? Rats? Louse? Ants? Moths? Fleas? Ticks? Snakes? Spiders?
I ask because in the three plus years we’ve lived where we live, I’ve encountered every single one of these pests in my house. Lots and lots of wildlife and that’s not even counting the cockatoos, bandicoots, possums and echidnas who are threatening to reclaim our yard for the bush.
I’m a total wimp when it comes to too-close-for-my-liking encounters. I see so much as a cockroach and I can tell you my shrieking gives those pesky cockatoos a run for their money.
But nothing, nothing compares to a funnel-web running over your daughter’s hand.
Who knows what a funnel-web was doing hanging around above ground in Winter? But there it was, next to the front verandah, sunning itself on a rock like a black melanoma. Cappers was the one who saw it. She thought it was “one of Maxi’s toy spiders” and bent down to pick it up. You talk and you talk and you talk to your children about not touching anything, not sticking fingers in holes or anywhere they can’t see them, leaving things well alone. All forgotten in a moment.
The funnel-web leapt into action, stumbled across her hand menacingly before falling unceremoniously off the rock where it lay stunned on the ground below. Clearly this was a funnel-web still mostly in hibernation, drowsy and ineffectual. But, who knew?
We captured it in a jar and even now as I look at it I shudder. Pitch black, ugly, killer. A moment in time that nearly changed time completely.
Corinne – Daze of My Life says
OMG! I would have freaked.
I remember as a kid having a red belly black snake slither across our picnic rug at Lane Cove National Park. Ick!
Mrs Woog says
I would have DIED! I hate rats and snakes the most. Poor you and Cappers. xxx
Lizeylou says
I have goosebumps thinking about it … YUKKO!
Leah says
Lordy! Not an irrational fear AT ALL and that’s what would make my heart stand still.
Megan Blandford says
Shivers down my spine just thinking about it!
The worst I’ve had is a leech on my head during a recent hike – GROSS!
Diminishing Lucy says
My heart stops at the very thought. You poor things.
We live on hectares of bush. We get it all. The good (the koalas and kangaroos) the bad (the rats and mice, of which I am phobic) and the ugly (possums and spiders and bush beetles…)
Snakes and blue tongues lizards too…
Doesn’t mean I am ever going to get used to it.
xx
A Farmer's Wife says
I just absolutely hate snakes.
And of course we get a few near the house each summer. I have a live and let live attitude unless they are very close to the house ( the last one I despatched was in the kids sandpit which is outside the back door…). We have had a couple on the doormat which I hate – I spend all summer telling the kids to look down when they go outside.
I can do the spiders,bugs etc without too much fuss but as for the slithery things. Get shivers just thinking about it.
Glad your daughter was OK and that horrible funnel web didn’t bite her.
cheryl says
OMG -how incredibly frightening.
HATE spiders.
i’m a sydney girl – but now living in canberra and very glad that funnel webs find it too cold down here. there are loads of red backs though.
eeeeeekkkk!
thanks goodness it didn’t bite.
cheryl xox.
little nite owl says
Very scary. Very!!! *shudders*
Sarah says
I nearly clicked away from the post when I saw the HUGE ASS spider in this pic. I cannot cope with nature at its finest. By that I mean redbacks and mice. Thankfully our cats take care of the second but I spend lots of time spraying in summer for the redbacks. I’m so glad Cappers is ok x
Toni says
Dear God!!! SO glad the damn thing didn’t bite her.
LionessLady says
Oh, ick! Ick! Ick! Please Miss Maxabella – delete that picture right now! Am having seizures just looking at it!
stink-bomb says
i don’t usually care about spiders but when i read that it ran across her hand ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!
we used to have a healthy population of redbacks around the house outside – in the carport, under the fence caps, round the patio. they never used to bother me, we left them alone and they left us alone.
we have this “pet” spider just outside our rollerdoor. it’s made a huge arse web from both sides of the fence to the gutter. it’s got some beautiful colours on it, red’s, yellows and oranges, no idea what it is and it’s a decent size, it disappears at night and can be seen hanging out on it’s web during the day.
Bungalowgirl says
That is just one nasty nasty moment. I remember a Skippy episode where some massive hairy spider fell down on the older brother while he was a sleep- traumatised me for years. We had heart stopping moment when Roboboy was about 2 and we discovered that the trike he had been just riding was riddled with HUGE red back spiders sleeping in all the pipes of the frame. We went on a rampage! melx
Mum on the Run says
Aaaaarrrggghhh!!!
🙂
Miss Pink says
All of those are ok by me as long as they aren’t in my house (I have a fear of them climbing up my nose while I sleep or something), and of course as long as they don’t decide they need to touch me, or my kids.
Grasshoppers are my weakness. Those fuckers so much as look at my yard and half a can of mortein is emptied onto them. I kid you not.
I think Cappers is incredibly lucky. And it’s sorta why i’m not a fan of toy bugs and that stuff, because i’d probably do the same!
Leonie says
oh shudder!!!! eeek!!!
my encounters have been snakes and a blue tongue lizard and a couple of redbacks….but seriously, that would totally freak me out!
Sarah says
Dear God – I really go to pieces in the company of spiders. And I’m so glad we don’t have funnel webs – can’t even type that without a shiver. Just the thought of them living in those creepy little trap doored holes. Shudder.
Not entirely related, but I did once hear on our local ABC radio a spider expert saying that a redback bite would not likely kill a child – kids metabolise the venom differently and it will make them feel very sick and unsettled, but wouldn’t kill them. Reassuring, but I don’t know much about funnel webs.
Claire says
I’m really glad that Scotland doesn’t have any large spiders or snakes. I don’t think I would handle these house guests very well!
Catherine says
Oh my goodness, how frightening for all of you I’m so glad the spider is keep safely in that jar. xo
Mrs BC says
What a freak out!! Cappers is soo lucky, she must have someone looking over her! I have had lots of nature encounters, but my biggest freak out is spiders – funnel webs & huntsmen in particular. I know huntmen are not poisonous but they fricken gallop aound & I just cannot handle it. If your funnelweb is still alive can you get it to Australian Reptile Park in the central coast, I think they make the antivenom there.
x
Loz says
Many years ago, when my now 27 year old son was only three, I was digging in the back yard and uncovered a spider about the size of a 50 cent piece that I thought was a funnel web. Problem was I was living in the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne and never heard of them being up here. Like you I captured it and took it into the Melbourne Museum where it was identified as a funnelweb which are apparently pretty common across the Hills. When I asked how deadly they were the bloke told me that he didn’t know because he’d never heard of anyone being bitten by one.
Erin says
Frightening!! We do live in the bush, the most frightening moment was when a brown snake slithered casually across the yard right near the 18mth old in a yard full of kids and dog!! and… the snake came back a fortnight later!!
Jodi @ The Scribble Den says
How utterly disgusting and frightening! Uuuurgh!
Unfortunately I have had many encounters with spiders and snakes here in the bush. Luckily though not so with rats or cockroaches.
My worst (but also funniest now looking back) was when a huntsman decided to come on a road trip with us and ran across my cousins and my laps in the back seat of the car. We were all eating ice-creams. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!
Naturally Carol says
The more dangerous they are the uglier they look I reckon. I opened the cupboard door to put something in the bin and saw a big very ugly cockroach and the dog jumped in fright when she saw it..hehe! I had to laugh at that reaction. I think Queensland has more cockroaches than anywhere else I’ve ever been.
Alison @ MelbourneMumma says
Disgraceful, putting something so ugly and scary in your post! Found redbacks under the boys’ tonka trunks outside many times. Love summer evenings for walks after dinner, but my enjoyment of daylight savings is often superseded by my fear of a potential huntsman encounter. It should be a spider-free world… x
Alison @ MelbourneMumma says
Disgraceful, putting something so ugly and scary in your post! Found redbacks under the boys’ tonka trunks outside many times. Love summer evenings for walks after dinner, but my enjoyment of daylight savings is often superseded by my fear of a potential huntsman encounter. It should be a spider-free world… x
Emma Burgess says
How utterly hideous for you all. Thank goodness it didn’t do any harm. My unwanted guests: one word. Snakes. Urgggg. Emma.
Mama of 2 boys says
Oh good lord! Revolting in a jar! I can’t stand spiders or any of the pests you mention here actually. It’s one of the things I don’t like about Summer… brings out all the nasties and unfortunately brings them INSIDE! So pleased to here the story ended in a good way, because as you say, it could have gone so horribly wrong.
Salamander says
Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!!!!!! Cappers touched a funnel web!?!?!?!?! Eeeeek!!!!! *flaps hands wildly and sticks out tongue*
I have 1000 huntsmen stories. That is 1000 too many. You poor, poor thing. I suppose it does give you a beauty for Cappers’ 21st?
Eeeek!!!!!
Jayne says
Oh my word! It’s true, we tell our kids over and over and we think it sinks in but in a moment, those stern warnings can all be forgotten.
So pleased that Cappers escaped unharmed.
I’ve never seen anything quite so nasty here – redbacks are more than enough for me!
Anya adores says
OMG I am petrified of spiders, and a funnel web – shakes.. We have nothing deadly like that here in Denmark – not sure I could cope. And so true what you say about the children and us telling them what not to do – and them forgetting everything. The whole thing send shivers down my spine. Glad everybody are ok..
A xx
nicole says
um i’m nearly having a panic attack right now over that photo, let alone the attached story!!
glad there was no harm done, but so very scary! bet cappers will never pick up anything vaguely resembling a spider ever again!!
my parents get a lot of snakes near their place in the country, mum nearly wees herself every time she sees one!
Lou says
I hate all of the creepies you have mentioned, and it is one of th ethings I am not looking forward to with our move to Cali. The boys keep asking me if S has been a black widow yet, and thankfully the answer is no – well thats what I am led to believe. If I ge tthere next week and find out he has been fibbing and there are spiders everywhere I will jsut die.
Aubrey S. says
I would have flipped out. Spiders and I do not get along. At. All.
So glad your baby girl is a-okay.
Paula says
Which is why I don’t live in Australia! Give me a black bear any day!
trudi@maudeandme says
Ever come across a scorpian? Whilst non venamous here, my husband can tell you they really really hurt!
After returning from a summer holiday we discovered a family of funnel webs had set up home in the kids play area.They were relocated!
We’ve also had a few close encounters with snakes. With snakes I am a complete “screaming girl”.
Miss Mandy says
the picture itself is freaking me out. I hate spiders.
Tenille @ Help!Mum says
I’m all clenched up reading this. That is seriously; I have no words.
I used to be absolutely terrified of all spiders. I deal with the daddy long legs and the little black ones now, but anything slightly larger or or hairier gets the adrenaline pumping. Actually, I have to go now and check under my computer desk to make sure that nothing is about to drop down onto my legs…(terrified).
Lynne says
I think this post has removed any trace of desire I might have had to ever visit Australia…….just kidding, I think. So glad everyone is OK…..My horror is snakes…..
Britt @ absolute alaia says
We live on the boundary of a state forest & we get EVERYTHING! I love having the birds visit every day & seeing kangaroos & wallabies hop by in the middle of suburbia but I now don’t own an outdoor clothes lines due to the many spiders that I would bring in with the washing. I’ve had one too many spiders the size of of my hand jump on me while doing the sorting & folding!
Sammy says
I would have died. DIED, I tell you. A friend has just given my little boy a game with plastic bugs. WHY????? They are horrifically (is that a word?) life like and are freaking me out. Utterly.
MummyK says
Omg one of my worst nightmares!
When I was about to move to oz my friends asked me why, “everything they have there kills people!”
Cate says
OMGosh – how horrible for you and your girl. Actually more for you – she will have forgotten all about it by now…but I’m guessing you will be traumatised for quite some time…
xxxCate
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
oh yes, i am a self confessed wimp! i hate, hate, hate spiders of every description and your situation would have nearly had me incarcerated! The other day, a friend found a cocoon just about to burst (I’m assuming with a butterfly, but knowing my luck it would be an ugly moth),. She held it out to me, saying “take it inside, let the kids watch it open” I withdrew immediately “No thanks – there’s one hanging off the fence out the back – i’m not touching it, back away NOW!!! Me and creepy crawly’s don’t mix. My parents live in the country (where i grew up), so yes, Australian Wildlife is deadly. No wonder Bear Gryls has such respect for us! xx
Laura says
I am ok with small bugs – ones I can stomp on or swat – bigger things make me pack my bags and move!!!!
Snakes are my WORST though. I am petrified of them.
Hi I'm Rhonda. says
I can deal with spiders, even snakes so long as they are outside. But cockroaches would cause me to abandon almost anything! I hate them. Fortunately they are a lot less common in Oklahoma than in Florida!
Abbie says
Spiders are icky gross scary!! I turn into a real priss who needs a man to deal with it as long as it is not my man because then he will have cooties! haha
Seana Smith says
I must be a really slack mum, even slacker than previously suspected; we have funnel webs in the garden and pool on occasion… and I never worry about them at all.
Just had a hunt around the web and here are some reassuring words from Sydney Uni medical dept: ‘The pressure immobilisation technique MUST be commenced as soon as possible…. There have been no reports of deaths when effective first aid had been instituted.”
[Good Mum Hunting] says
ARGHHHHH! How scary indeed!
I would have been ok with a spider, it’s snakes that really irk me. They are so creepy, the way they slither around and hiss.
My parents live on acreage and a few years ago, a baby red belly black snack slithered into the laundry and I nearly stepped on it. Seriously, I don’t know how I didn’t soil myself. Almost gave myself a heart attack!!
Broni says
I grew up in the Blue Mountains and so spiders and snakes were not things that were uncommon. I guess in a way it was good to see them and have a good awareness of them and what to do … But being a kid and a parent is a bit different. It must have be terrifying to see a funnel web cross your daughters hand. Maybe I might think differently when kids are older but as toddlers I know they won’t do the right thing.
Jane@flightplatformliving says
aaahhhhhhh oh my god!!! i could not live anywhere with killer spiders! i am a massive wimp. how terrible for you, thats the stuff of nightmares for sure. tilly fell on a jelly fish on a welsh beach, it was huge and from a distance i thought it was a rock, she leant over to look at it and lost her balance! as she was falling i realised it was actually a washed up jelly fish and all went into slow motion! i ran so fast i actually peed myself! lol. all was fine though, jelly fish was dead, tilly wasnt stung, but i had to go and change! x
Heather says
That is absolutely terrifying. I am so glad she is okay. Funnel webs petrify me as they are so aggressive. We have alot of red backs here but I can handle them. The kids know to be careful of them but funnel webs are a completely other story. That is the only negative about living near the bush hey. I have encountered many snakes in my time…they freak me out too! xxx