Deflecting Giant Indian Spiders

Keshava · Jan 26th, 2009, 08:44

Over the years I've come to accept their presence - but I haven't learned to love them. Up in Kainchi (near Nainital) there's an ashram in little valley that I stay at around Durga Puja and the rooms there all have enormous spiders that are (no exaggeration) bigger than my hands. When I first remarked on them (with my hair standing on end) to the little old Nepali Ma's (widows) at the ashram - they all laughed at my concern telling me how harmless they were - but I couldn't be convinced - so now when traveling I always bring along a small vial of geranium oil. It stinks even in small doses - but keeps the critters at arms length.

HONeYSOL · Jan 26th, 2009, 09:38

Wow thanks - now on my list of where not to go!
I don't do well with anything that has more legs or eyes than I do!
Fascinating yes - but I'll keep my distance. (and I'm Australian)

MSchalk · Feb 5th, 2009, 16:21

Traveling now for 1 1/2 months in India I can perfectly understand you. I get nervous even when i see much smaller ones at home, but on our second night in Kerala, my wife told me that there is a huge spider sitting on our toilet. It was as big as my hand (will upload the photo later). I slept not well that night.

Also, once there was a powercut while I had urgent business in the bath with the spider being close. Now finding a doorknob in the dark with a huge spider in the same room is one of my worst phobias. My nerves were shattered afterwards.

livinhimalayas · Feb 5th, 2009, 16:46

Living in Himalayas, you get used to the giant spiders, but when I shifted here initially, I was scared as hell to enter a room when one of these was in it. Over the years, I have learned to ignore them like they ignore me!

kullukid · Feb 5th, 2009, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSchalk

Also, once there was a powercut while I had urgent business in the bath with the spider being close. Now finding a doorknob in the dark with a huge spider in the same room is one of my worst phobias. My nerves were shattered afterwards.

Been there done that got the T-shirt!!!

I was taking a bucket bath, stood there naked just shampooed my hair with soap suds all over my face & eyes, I was about to scoop some water out of the bucket, but something made me open my soapy eyes to see a giant spider almost the size of the top of the bucket, it's body was about the size of my hand & with it's legs outstretced it was about the size of a dinner plate.
God knows how it got in the bucket it wasn't there a minute before??

KK

AprilFlower · Feb 5th, 2009, 17:35

...and here I was dreaming of living in the Himilayas. I'm starting to have second thoughts. I really hate the spiders in my area too. The damn things jump! Ok, maybe there are lots of spiders that jump but in the US all the spiders I encountered crawled. Jumping was not a normal part of the routine. My husband almost had to pull me off the ceiling the first time I encountered the jumping. Thankfully, the ones here aren't that big but I still don't have any love for them. I just avoid them and if they happen to be in my way then I call for my husband to carefully transfer it out of the house

!

livinhimalayas · Feb 5th, 2009, 17:49

the Himalayan spiders may be himalayan in size but are as mild as the mountain people, so if you ignore them they will not come anywhere near you. Never seen one jump here they stay well out of your reach near the ceiling

kullukid · Feb 5th, 2009, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by livinhimalayas

the Himalayan spiders may be himalayan in size but are as mild as the mountain people,ceiling

Anyone know the name of these Gentle Giants??? I've searched everywhere on the net & can't find them. I'm talking about the big reddish-brown ones with skin that looks like leather or suede, that actually have faces that look like this

but Bigger!!

KK

Aishah · Feb 5th, 2009, 18:31

I've seen some large spiders in Landour - but they don't bother me. I always think it's handy to have a few around to catch the mosquitoes.
I have never heard that they are poisonous - does anyone know? (Unlike some in Oz and NZ which can be lethal).

abracax · Feb 5th, 2009, 18:41

Have you, or anyone you know, or anyone you have ever heard of, been harmed in any way by any of these beasties? Grow a chin.

voyager61 · Feb 5th, 2009, 18:48

Hi! They might not come near you but they can definitely take shelter in your boots at night. It happened in the forest rest house in Chaura,H.P.,a hand size specimen that until bedtime was resting near the door. In the morning I put back the inner sole in one of the boots,and when I removed it again in the evening I found the airy legs,a big smashed body and two respectable fangs,that same guy for sure,and thought I had been lucky.

livinhimalayas · Feb 5th, 2009, 18:59

Never had any reason to closely inspect the gentle giants or to test their temperament, so really am not sure whether they are poisonous or not.

Swapnil · Feb 5th, 2009, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

I always think it's handy to have a few around to catch the mosquitoes.

I'm not sure but do spiders eat mosquitoes ?

Aishah · Feb 5th, 2009, 19:45

They certainly catch them in their webs!

HONeYSOL · Feb 5th, 2009, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by kullukid

Been there done that got the T-shirt!!!

I was taking a bucket bath, stood there naked just shampooed my hair with soap suds all over my face & eyes, I was about to scoop some water out of the bucket, but something made me open my soapy eyes to see a giant spider almost the size of the top of the bucket, it's body was about the size of my hand & with it's legs outstretced it was about the size of a dinner plate.
God knows how it got in the bucket it wasn't there a minute before??

KK

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilFlower

...and here I was dreaming of living in the Himilayas. I'm starting to have second thoughts. I really hate the spiders in my area too. The damn things jump! Ok, maybe there are lots of spiders that jump but in the US all the spiders I encountered crawled. Jumping was not a normal part of the routine. My husband almost had to pull me off the ceiling the first time I encountered the jumping. Thankfully, the ones here aren't that big but I still don't have any love for them. I just avoid them and if they happen to be in my way then I call for my husband to carefully transfer it out of the house

!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSchalk

Traveling now for 1 1/2 months in India I can perfectly understand you. I get nervous even when i see much smaller ones at home, but on our second night in Kerala, my wife told me that there is a huge spider sitting on our toilet. It was as big as my hand (will upload the photo later). I slept not well that night.

Also, once there was a powercut while I had urgent business in the bath with the spider being close. Now finding a doorknob in the dark with a huge spider in the same room is one of my worst phobias. My nerves were shattered afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by voyager61

Hi! They might not come near you but they can definitely take shelter in your boots at night. It happened in the forest rest house in Chaura,H.P.,a hand size specimen that until bedtime was resting near the door. In the morning I put back the inner sole in one of the boots,and when I removed it again in the evening I found the airy legs,a big smashed body and two respectable fangs,that same guy for sure,and thought I had been lucky.

OK PEOPLE, SERIOUSLY NOT COOL!!!

Someone would definitely need to be peeling me off the ceiling, and I'd also require a clean pair of pants .... and if I'd found hairy legs in my boots.... iI can't even think about it!!!

and whilst on the subject - did you hear they have just discovered a new spider in the Amazon the size of a dinner plate that jumps several feet ... just send me to hell now......

"Tip toeing around the room with a double barrel shotgun .......shh!"

Jan 26th, 2009, 08:44	#1
Keshava Pahari-Wallah Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Noo Yawk Posts: 338	Deflecting Giant Indian Spiders Over the years I've come to accept their presence - but I haven't learned to love them. Up in Kainchi (near Nainital) there's an ashram in little valley that I stay at around Durga Puja and the rooms there all have enormous spiders that are (no exaggeration) bigger than my hands. When I first remarked on them (with my hair standing on end) to the little old Nepali Ma's (widows) at the ashram - they all laughed at my concern telling me how harmless they were - but I couldn't be convinced - so now when traveling I always bring along a small vial of geranium oil. It stinks even in small doses - but keeps the critters at arms length. Last edited by Keshava : Jan 26th, 2009 at 20:29.

Jan 26th, 2009, 09:38	#2
HONeYSOL Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 215	Wow thanks - now on my list of where not to go! I don't do well with anything that has more legs or eyes than I do! Fascinating yes - but I'll keep my distance. (and I'm Australian) __________________ Today is a day of completion. I give thanks for this perfect day. Miracle shall follow miracle and wonders shall never cease.

Feb 5th, 2009, 16:21	#3
MSchalk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 30	spider menace Traveling now for 1 1/2 months in India I can perfectly understand you. I get nervous even when i see much smaller ones at home, but on our second night in Kerala, my wife told me that there is a huge spider sitting on our toilet. It was as big as my hand (will upload the photo later). I slept not well that night. Also, once there was a powercut while I had urgent business in the bath with the spider being close. Now finding a doorknob in the dark with a huge spider in the same room is one of my worst phobias. My nerves were shattered afterwards.

Feb 5th, 2009, 16:46	#4
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,337	Living in Himalayas, you get used to the giant spiders, but when I shifted here initially, I was scared as hell to enter a room when one of these was in it. Over the years, I have learned to ignore them like they ignore me! __________________ He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees. - Benjamin Franklin

Feb 5th, 2009, 18:31	#9
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	I've seen some large spiders in Landour - but they don't bother me. I always think it's handy to have a few around to catch the mosquitoes. I have never heard that they are poisonous - does anyone know? (Unlike some in Oz and NZ which can be lethal). __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Feb 5th, 2009, 17:35	#6
AprilFlower Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surat, India Posts: 325	...and here I was dreaming of living in the Himilayas. I'm starting to have second thoughts. I really hate the spiders in my area too. The damn things jump! Ok, maybe there are lots of spiders that jump but in the US all the spiders I encountered crawled. Jumping was not a normal part of the routine. My husband almost had to pull me off the ceiling the first time I encountered the jumping. Thankfully, the ones here aren't that big but I still don't have any love for them. I just avoid them and if they happen to be in my way then I call for my husband to carefully transfer it out of the house !

Feb 5th, 2009, 17:49	#7
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,337	the Himalayan spiders may be himalayan in size but are as mild as the mountain people, so if you ignore them they will not come anywhere near you. Never seen one jump here they stay well out of your reach near the ceiling

Feb 5th, 2009, 18:41	#10
abracax Mahaguru Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 709	Have you, or anyone you know, or anyone you have ever heard of, been harmed in any way by any of these beasties? Grow a chin. __________________ tbontbtitq (Shakespeare's password)

Feb 5th, 2009, 18:48	#11
voyager61 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ivrea Posts: 530	Hi! They might not come near you but they can definitely take shelter in your boots at night. It happened in the forest rest house in Chaura,H.P.,a hand size specimen that until bedtime was resting near the door. In the morning I put back the inner sole in one of the boots,and when I removed it again in the evening I found the airy legs,a big smashed body and two respectable fangs,that same guy for sure,and thought I had been lucky.

Feb 5th, 2009, 18:59	#12
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,337	Never had any reason to closely inspect the gentle giants or to test their temperament, so really am not sure whether they are poisonous or not.

Feb 5th, 2009, 19:45	#14
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	They certainly catch them in their webs!

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