Spider causes freeway pile up in Perth

Huntsman Spider

Yesterday, I heard that a spider caused a pile up on the freeway here in Perth. A woman was driving on the freeway and lowered her sun visor to block the sun in her eyes. A Huntsman spider fell out and landed on her. She freaked, lost control of her car, and crashed.

I also heard that a large, burly man was one of the first to come over to her to offer assistance. When he heard what happened, he ran away. He must have been afraid of spiders.

I don't blame her. I'd freak too if a Huntsman landed on my head or lap while I was driving.

Huntsman spiders are ugly critters. I mentioned them in my blog back in 2001 when I first moved to Australia. They can be quite large, the body the size of a golf ball, and when their long legs spread full out, about the size of a small dinner plate. Most that I've seen and captured are about the size of my palm. And they are fast. Amazingly fast. I've never seen a spider that can move as fast as a Huntsman can.

They are harmless by Australian standards. They are poisonous. It won't kill you, but you will surely remember it. Unlike Redbacks (an Aussie version of a Black Widow), and Funnel-Web Spiders (very poisonous!) which will chase and attack you if you get near them, Huntsman spiders are pretty docile.

Speaking of spiders and cars. My little Ford has become the happy mobile home for an ever growing family of Redback spiders. You can tell there is a Redback because of the distinctive web they weave. It is a mess, like candy floss. It looks like they were drunk when they wove it.

For the last six months, a Redback has taken up residence in the right hand mirror. I've tried washing him out with the hose, but he is still there. I've never actually seen him. He hides deep inside the mirror housing. But every morning I have to clear his web off the mirror. So I know he is still there.

A couple of months ago I noticed that another redback moved in under the rear fender. There is a Redback web under the spare tire. Tried the hose again. No luck.

Yesterday I noticed that another cousin of the Redbacks moved into the other mirror on the left side of the car.

I really want to roll all down the windows and air the car out from time to time. But I am afraid that a family of spiders will crawl in overnight and take up residence inside. Then with my luck, I will get bit by a Redback while driving on the Freeway.

Well. I guess I will have to get my car fumigated. These little arachnoids aren't helping me pay for fuel, so NO MORE FREE RIDES!