| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 3:44 pm |
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Four spider myths debunked It's spider season.They're all over the garden. They're in the house. Eeeeek! In honor of this creepy-crawly time of year, we proudly present perhaps the greatest spider Web site of all time: “Myths, Misconceptions, and Superstitions About Spiders.” Not only is it easy to read, it also is penned by a local, Rod Crawford, the curator of arachnids at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle. (Is there a more awesome job title?) Here are a few of Crawford's myth-busters. See www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/ spidermyth for more. MYTH: Spiders come into houses in the fall to get out of the cold. FACT: Those spiders are already inside your house 95 percent of the time. Also, putting indoor spiders “back” outside usually kills them, so you aren't doing them any favors. “House spiders belong to a small number of species specially adapted for indoor conditions (constant climate, poor food supply, very poor water supply). “Some house spider species have been living indoors at least since the days of the Roman Empire.” MYTH: Spiders found in bathtubs or sinks have come up through the drains from the sewers. FACT: Sorry, Charlie. “This myth … shows how very reluctant people are to confront the idea that the spiders in their house live there all the time. “Modern drains contain a liquid-filled sediment trap through which spiders cannot penetrate.” MYTH: A spider bit me while I was asleep. FACT: You're more likely to have a case of MRSA. “Skin bumps and sores noticed in the morning are generally caused by nonbite disease conditions. “Currently MRSA bacteria are among the leading causes of alleged ‘spider bites.' The minority that are really bites are caused by bloodsucking insects such as fleas, bedbugs, kissing bugs, lice or assorted flies; less commonly by mites or ticks.” MYTH: You unknowingly swallow an average of four live spiders in your sleep each year. FACT: Thank goodness, no. “This very widespread urban legend has no basis in fact. For a sleeping person to swallow even one live spider would involve so many highly unlikely circumstances that for practical purposes we can rule out the possibility. “No such case is on formal record anywhere in scientific or medical literature.” Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (4)
- County archive software paid for but waiting for set-up (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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