Jovial Monk wrote on Mar 10
th, 2021 at 8:50am:
We used to see a big fat huntsman in the house every year. Have not seen one now for some years.
We know that invertebrate numbers have crashed and this could be one small sign of that.
So—you seeing less spiders around the house?
Surprisingly, I saw a medium small mangy huntsman a few days ago near the door.
I thought... I forgot about them as I hadn’t seen one for ages!
I scooped it outside among the plants.
And in the motel room up at Yarrawonga this week... there was a cute little spider almost above my bed!
It was on the ceiling... fluffing about in its web until it settled and then I thought... it’s waiting for little bugs to eat.
I said to my friend in her bed over the other side with no spider... I hope it don’t fall on me during the night!
After a couple days I said it was “my little mate up there”
I hope it survives other people coming through the motel.
Somehow, as I watched its habits...during the day it disappeared in the tiny gap between the ceiling and wall, then at night with the lights on... comes out to nestle in its little web. For some reason I felt an immense respect for its tiny little life.
Getting back to huntsmen.... whenever the weather was about to rain... into the house they came ... little spiders I don’t mind... but that’s as far as it goes!
I must admit... not seen as many European wasps like some years ago! (Thank goodness!) Although I find their hidden nests behind seats, in the mortar in between bricks, or if hubby has a a folded over old canvas cover outdoors, and we unfold it... there’s nests there too!
Coming to think of it...flies and mozzies and blowflies seem to be far and few between also.