My Mum isn't a lover of spiders and unfortunately she passed this fear unwittingly onto Roar when he was small.
She didn't want him to stay afraid and so one Christmas, she bought him a Spider House Kit. Between us we hoped he would learn about them and watch one and see they spend a lot of their time motionless and aren't really that scary.
Don't get me wrong, I don't love it when a spider scuttles too close, but it's usually the shock of something scuttling into view that's more 'scary' than the spider itself. Well, that's what I tell myself anyway! We have no poisonous spiders to worry about so there really isn't anything to fear (although I know that isn't the same everywhere).
We've had this Spider House Kit tucked away in a box for at least a couple of years as Roar was initially not keen. However, in Lockdown all the 'kits' are coming out and so has this one and, what's more, he's LOVED IT!
He has learned a lot about spiders and takes great pride in feeding them and making sure their homes are clean and have fresh water every day. Although they still make him jump, he is definitely not scared any more :)
The kit we have is by Nick Baker - called Spider World - it's very informative and comes with a proper purpose-built spider-house (proper name: tegenarium), as well as a detailed book with lots of interesting facts about spiders and what they need to thrive as well as how to look after them properly. Nick Baker's version is called Spider World and here is one link but it's available from many retailers: https://www.nhbs.com/title?slug=nick-bakers-spider-world
We keep a spider for a few days and then release it and collect a new one.
As we are all in Lockdown and you might not be able to get deliveries etc. here are the basics of how we make our Spider Houses as Roar is now so keen we have had to improvise and make our own :)
Things You Will Need
Step 2
Partly attach the cling film with tape to your container but make sure to leave a gap so you can pop your spider gently in before taping closed.
Step 3
Once your Spider House is ready, collect your spider. Nick Baker's book has instructions on how to collect different types of spider carefully, although Roar still finds they can make him jump ;)
Step 4
Transfer your spider into their new home. Seal the cling film lid and be sure to poke lots of air holes in the top so the spider gets enough air.
Step 5
Use your point to make one of the air holes larger (but not too big or your spider will escape!) - you want to be able to put a small 'sausage' of cotton wool in there as this is where you will put water to ensure your spider does not dehydrate.
Step 6
If you have a pipette, you can use this to squeeze in some water - stop when you can see a drop at the bottom as too much will create mould. If you have put too much in, if you empty your pipette and keep it squeezed so no air can get back in, but place it back on the cotton wool and let go, it will suck water back out of the cotton wool again! If you don't have a pipette you could just soak the cotton wool in water first but just not too wet or it will fall in!
Step 7
Keep your Spider House somewhere shaded and away from direct sun. See the Nick Baker link for how to feed your spider and keep hydrated using the cotton wool as above. We check the cotton wool every day. We now have quite a few Tegenariums!
We hope this is something fun you can do with things from around your home, including the spiders, and learn some more about these fascinating little creatures :)
WM x
She didn't want him to stay afraid and so one Christmas, she bought him a Spider House Kit. Between us we hoped he would learn about them and watch one and see they spend a lot of their time motionless and aren't really that scary.
Don't get me wrong, I don't love it when a spider scuttles too close, but it's usually the shock of something scuttling into view that's more 'scary' than the spider itself. Well, that's what I tell myself anyway! We have no poisonous spiders to worry about so there really isn't anything to fear (although I know that isn't the same everywhere).
We've had this Spider House Kit tucked away in a box for at least a couple of years as Roar was initially not keen. However, in Lockdown all the 'kits' are coming out and so has this one and, what's more, he's LOVED IT!
He has learned a lot about spiders and takes great pride in feeding them and making sure their homes are clean and have fresh water every day. Although they still make him jump, he is definitely not scared any more :)
The kit we have is by Nick Baker - called Spider World - it's very informative and comes with a proper purpose-built spider-house (proper name: tegenarium), as well as a detailed book with lots of interesting facts about spiders and what they need to thrive as well as how to look after them properly. Nick Baker's version is called Spider World and here is one link but it's available from many retailers: https://www.nhbs.com/title?slug=nick-bakers-spider-world
We keep a spider for a few days and then release it and collect a new one.
As we are all in Lockdown and you might not be able to get deliveries etc. here are the basics of how we make our Spider Houses as Roar is now so keen we have had to improvise and make our own :)
 |
| This is a common 'Daddy Long Legs' or Cellar Spider - they are easy to catch as they just drop into the container if you place it underneath them. |
 |
| Bit more of a 'scuttler' - the common house spider. |
Things You Will Need
- Clear container for your spider house e.g. see-through plastic jug, jar, clear plastic pot, cake box etc. Anything clear so you can see through it, that's big enough, and has a wide neck so you can easily feed your spider. We've even used an old blender jug!
- Kitchen towel or white tissue to line the bottom (you could use newspaper but the spider probably won't show up as well)
- Cling film, sellotape and scissors (if your house is small the cling film won't need to be taped)
- Sticks and leaves that will fit inside your spider house
- Cotton wool
- Cocktail stick / kebab skewer (something with a point to make air holes in the cling film)
- Small pipette (not essential)
- Small sealed container for catching flies (see Nick Baker link on how to feed your spider)
Method
Step 1
Get all your items out ready and then line the bottom of the clear container with the kitchen towel. Place your sticks and leaves inside. Ideally some sticks at an angle to give the spider something to climb on.
Step 2
Partly attach the cling film with tape to your container but make sure to leave a gap so you can pop your spider gently in before taping closed.
Step 3
Once your Spider House is ready, collect your spider. Nick Baker's book has instructions on how to collect different types of spider carefully, although Roar still finds they can make him jump ;)
Step 4
Transfer your spider into their new home. Seal the cling film lid and be sure to poke lots of air holes in the top so the spider gets enough air.
Step 5
Use your point to make one of the air holes larger (but not too big or your spider will escape!) - you want to be able to put a small 'sausage' of cotton wool in there as this is where you will put water to ensure your spider does not dehydrate.
Step 6
If you have a pipette, you can use this to squeeze in some water - stop when you can see a drop at the bottom as too much will create mould. If you have put too much in, if you empty your pipette and keep it squeezed so no air can get back in, but place it back on the cotton wool and let go, it will suck water back out of the cotton wool again! If you don't have a pipette you could just soak the cotton wool in water first but just not too wet or it will fall in!
Step 7
Keep your Spider House somewhere shaded and away from direct sun. See the Nick Baker link for how to feed your spider and keep hydrated using the cotton wool as above. We check the cotton wool every day. We now have quite a few Tegenariums!
We hope this is something fun you can do with things from around your home, including the spiders, and learn some more about these fascinating little creatures :)
WM x
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