Help - large spider that eats tubeweb spider?

[saggy]

Hi everybody

I moved into my flat above a shop about three years ago and I live in Southsea in Hampshire about 10 mins walk from the sea front. I have a problem with the drain always blocking and consequently have major problem with flys and other insects making my yard a haven for spiders. I used to have loads of huge common garden spiders and various others but about 18 months ago everything disappeared and I found my yard had been taken over by tubeweb spiders whom I know had eaten some of the other large spiders as I saw them. The yard has high walls on all four sides and I would estimate that each wall has at least 30-40 of these things which always hang out at night and I have to walk past to get to my door. I'm really not a huge fan of spiders but at least they stay in the same place and retreat back into their holes when the security light comes on.

Anyway, about two months ago I noticed that they were quickly dissapearing and I am now down to only several of the really large ones (which are huge). I also noticed many dead ones looking like they had been in a huge battle with limbs hanging off etc left hanging in various places. I also found unusually that a couple of the these spiders have ventured into my house in the last month and have even built funnel type webs in piles of clothes that were left hanging around - one had nested in a sock which fortunately I noticed two seconds before putting my foot into it.

I also noticed that considering my previous massive problems with insect life, my yard is now appearingly void of nature (apart from lots of dead things and woodlice). I thought nothing of it at first and to be honest was just hugely relieved at the now seemingly spider free yard.

That was until my friend and I saw a massive spider which I cannot for one minute believe is English in origin. It was of a similar size to a tarantula - the body (minus legs) was much bigger than a mouse and the legs were approximately the size of a pencil. It was light coloured - grey/brown. It was certainly aware of us even though we stayed about five metres away and as we walked up and down to try and see it from different angles, it was watching our every move and turning to face us. It was walking around for quite a while afterwards as we watched it from my kitchen window and it doesn't appear to be the type of spider that hangs around in webs.

I have seen it twice now which both times were only when it was really hot and really sunny. I think it may be living in the big shed type building whose walls make up one of the walls of my enclosed yard. My friend is from Brazil and is used to huge big horrible spiders and even she was scared and believed it definately is not native to this country.

Does anyone think I have a problem that needs to be sorted or will it be okay as I'm really not sure what to do about it.

Sorry for the long essay but I thought it would be best to give as much detail as possible as although I've tried to ignore it for the past few weeks, I can't help freaking out. I've never seen anything like it before.

Many thanks for any advice anyone can give me.

Sarah.

[maggot at toad hall]

It would be brilliant if you could manage to get a picture
Our native spiders do not get anywhere near the size you are suggesting. This spider sounds more like an escaped pet that is thriving off native wildlife. As the exact species is unknown it would be wise to keep a distance.
It might be a good idea to contact your local RSPCA and ask for some advice and assistance. Try looking at this site for RSPCA info: Stubbington Ark Online

[saggy]

Hi maggot at toad hall

Many thanks for your help.

I have not managed to get a pic of it yet but I have been trawling the web to see if I can see anything that looks like it. I am going to try and describe it a bit more. You appear to right, no uk spider looks like it comes anywhere near to the size and not one of them seems to have chunky anough legs in relation to its body. The nearest pic I could see was this picture at the top of this link:

Tarantula - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It may have been marginally smaller than this but it definately had the same long fang things that look like mini legs coming out of its head and its legs were chunky like this. It held its legs in the same way and position although it appeared that the second pair of legs were slightly more forward and nearer the first pair.

However, the body seemed thinner and not so bulbous and it seemed more aero-dynamic (less hairy) but it certainly didn't seem shiny, smooth, sleek or shell type so it may have been that I wasn't close enough to see hair. From what i've seen of taratulas, they are quite slow but this one seemed quite agile and faster. It was nearer this colour but a bit lighter:GMTV - Invasion of the spiders!

As soon as we went into the yard, it would freeze in a defensive manner (or in a ready to pounce manner) and just watch us, only slightly changing its angle to keep following us as we walked up and down. I even used a mirror to reflect the sun onto it so I coulld get a clearer look as it was in a slightly shaded area but it didn't even flinch. It would only start walking around again when we went back inside. Also I have only seem him walking on the wood that is near the top of the one storey building, he never seems to venture on the rendered wall below but I suppose that might be because it is bright white and he could be spotted a mile away. Also like I said, I have only seem him in dry periods when it is really warm although he seems to stick to more shaded areas.

I have no idea whether this is going to help but I thought it was worth a try.

Thanks again and kind regards,

Sarah.

[wildmanofthewoods]

Wow, this sounds both scary and exciting... whatever you do don't watch the movie "Arachnaphobia"

I agree with Maggot it doesn't sound native you say your quite close to the sea, are there any docks nearby? It could have come in with some cargo. It has been known that Black Widow spiders have come over in American cars before, although this definately doesn't sound like a Black Widow.. More like a Australian Funnel Web Spider Hope it isn't

[saggy]

Hi

Yes, I live in Portsmouth which has a largish port, please don't say anything about australian spiders, I will have to move out . I have family in Australia but refuse to go there for that reason

I'm getting the impression that I need to do something about him/her. I will ring the RSPCA and see what they say.

Do you think i have to worry about him coming inside - I haven't opened the windows since and am assuming that there's no hole big enough. I have a little parrot and don't want to have to worry about him.

Many thanks again,

Sarah.

[saggy]

Phew

Definately not australian funnel web spider - just looked at pic

[Wild-Woman]

I know of a population of Segestria florentina (Tube-web Spider) and every now and then you will find their shed skins. This may account for the 'remains' you are finding. These spiders live tucked away inside their 'tube' in wall crevices and corners.

It would be difficult, I should think, for another larger spider to be able to attack and eat them as they 'S.florentina' are very aggressive themselves.

I am no spider expert, but am wondering if a Spider eating Wasp may be able to tackle them.


As for your larger species seen, I can only suggest that it's been imported into this country accidentally or is an escaped pet.

[wildmanofthewoods]

Originally Posted by saggy

Phew

Definately not australian funnel web spider - just looked at pic

I'm sorry , bad joke

Seriously as everyone says its most likely an escaped pet something like a Chilean Rose etc
do an image search on Google "pet tarantulas" you'll probably see yours eventually

[saggy]

Hi

I looked at them closely and it doesn't appear to be a skin, most were the entire body. They always hang half out their holes at night as I have had to run the gauntlett to get to my door every night for the past 18 months (not big fan of spiders) but they are just not there anymore. I even have some that live in my door frame and they've disappeared too. Amusingly some have even tried to use the key holes although they soon change their minds. I have even got someone to gently tap the lines that come off their webs which normally makes them appear but nothing. I was literally overrun with these things but now there's none. Also all other insect life including milipedes/centipedes has vanished apart from slugs and woodlice.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Sarah.

[maggot at toad hall]

Hi Saggy, any update on your huge spider. Did you get in touch with the RSPCA? Just curious to know the outcome