Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

[freelancer]

It's always been my policy not to kill spiders on my boat because I know they eat a ton of mosquitoes. Well this last weekend while un-booting the bimini top, a spider drops down into my 1st mate?s hair and down the back... well you can imagine what that scene was like ​

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Problem now is that the crew wants me to squash every spider they see on the boat. Now this time of year spiders are everywhere on the boat and in the marina but I guess it doesn't matter that I've been around boats all my life and have never been bit by a spider. Is this a case of trauma, paranoia or is this a mutiny in the works???

I have to admit, bug in the hair thing was hilarious, you had to see it

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

If a spider dropped down my First Mates back and I refused to kill every 8 legged creature in sight I would already be dead!!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

If a spider dropped down my First Mates back and I refused to kill every 8 legged creature in sight I would already be dead!!

Mine would tear my arm off at the shoulder and use the bloody end to beat up spiders.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

My crew is the same way. What I have had to adopt is a territorial policy. If the accused insect is found to be in any territory normally occupied by people, then the insect must pay for his trespassing. However, if for any reason an insect/snake/other such animal is encountered in a territory normally not occupied by humans, then it is assumed to be their space and we must either 1) deal with it. or 2) leave the area.

I also take a teaching approach with my kids. I'm by no means a tree hugger or animal rights activist, but I believe there is a balance to nature. Therefore if I catch them stomping on bugs, throwing rocks at them or other living objects, or pulling the branches off a tree, or leaves from a bush, I ask them if I may do the same thing to them. At first they looked at me like I was crazy, but they are starting to understand the balance in life, and things have just as much right to be somewhere as they do.

 

[QC]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

Considering the importance of First Mates and their continued realtionship with all members of a family and boating crew, I suggest kiiling them (spiders not First Mates) when they are seen and make a big deal about it. Then shut your mouth about those that aren't seen. My guess is that there are many more of the latter than the former . . .

 

[freelancer]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

I believe there is a balance to nature... and things have just as much right to be somewhere as they do.

FBPirate95, I guess you hit on something deeper than the mosquitoes thing. Even at home it's "DAD COME HERE GET THIS BUG" and what does dad do; he gets a plastic cup and just lets the thing outside.

Now if I'm freshwater fishing and I need bait...game on!

 

[Thad]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

I don't mind the spiders, niether does my first mate. (I do not care for the webs though) But the crew, now there is a different story all together. My 14 yo daughter wants every single BUG killed. Period. My 4 yo daughter wants to catch and put every single one in her bug cage and make it a nest and feed it until the next bug comes along. Then she lets the current one go...and so the cycle continues.

I think after the first one drops in my first mates hair though, all previous deals and/or statements are off. It will be "war on arachnids".

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

Well, I'll have to be the one that says spiders are not our friends. I was bitten by a brown recluse spider and it put a hole in my leg the size of a half-dollar. Happened while I was picking up limbs from a storm. You wouldn't want this happening to your family, so I say if you can't positively identify it as harmless, kill 'em all. It was also surprising to find how many people are bitten once the doctor, pharmacist, nurse, etc are treating your bite.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

Well, I'll have to be the one that says spiders are not our friends. I was bitten by a brown recluse spider and it put a hole in my leg the size of a half-dollar. Happened while I was picking up limbs from a storm. You wouldn't want this happening to your family, so I say if you can't positively identify it as harmless, kill 'em all. It was also surprising to find how many people are bitten once the doctor, pharmacist, nurse, etc are treating your bite.

Jack, sorry to hear about your encounter with that Brown Recluse, my sick minded teenage niece and nephew were on Youtube checking out some videos of people "Packing" the wound and your right, that thing leaves you with a hole. I hope we don't see one of those on the boat

 

[642mx]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

All spiders around me or the boat are killed immediately without remorse. I can't tell them apart, so they all die.....

 

[FishyFish]

Re: Spiders are our friends-a mutiny in the works

I'm an old country boy, Black Widow, Brown Recluse, spiders in general were kinda like toys......we played with them. My Wife don't play or like them. My youngest, he got it from his Mom, My Oldest....he got it from me. The rule today is "Kill'm when ya See'm" . If ya can't put it on a hook squesh it. Oh yea, the webs **** me off. My Boat is private property, Spiders don't trespass.

Fish