Venomous spiders found on fruit are becoming more common in supermarkets around the world. Venomous spiders are often found on imported fruit and foods. According to recent reports, deadly venomous spiders were found in grapes at supermarkets in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Missouri.
Venomous spiders found on imported fruit and foods
A few weeks ago, while washing red grapes purchased from the local market, a Pennsylvania woman brushed her fingers against a black widow spider hidden within the berries. In Michigan, a young man found a black widow in a bag of grapes he bought at a Kroger supermarket. In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a woman spotted a black widow while inspecting a container of red grapes she bought at an Aldi supermarket. People were evacuated from a grocery store in Germany after spotting a Brazilian wandering spider under a shelf by a delivery of bananas. In the United Kingdom, a family found Brazilian wandering spiders in their bananas.
More about black widow and Brazilian wandering venomous spiders
Black widow spiders have long, shiny legs and a red, hourglass shaped symbol on their abdomens. Without getting immediate treatment, their bite is occasionally fatal, especially for the elderly and small children. Black widow spiders build their nests in vineyards. They are the most venomous spiders in North America—their venom is 16 times stronger than a rattlesnake bite. However, this small venomous creature with eight legs only kills one percent of the people it bites.
Black widow spiders bite in self-defense, so if you find one, it’s advised to avoid handling it and try to capture it in a container, then dispose of it. Some people suggest setting it free outside; however, you may not want it roaming around your yard, or want it to reenter your home. Symptoms of a black widow bite are difficulty breathing, nausea, and muscle aches. Immediate treatment for a bite is to apply ice to the wound and search for medical attention to get anti-venom.
Brazilian wandering spiders are the most venomous spiders according to the Guinness World Records. Close to 0.006 mg of their venom could kill a mouse. Brazilian wandering spiders live in banana trees; hence, they are commonly called banana spiders and are native to tropical environments in South America.
Though you may not live in areas where reports of the venomous spiders found on fruit recently took place, it’s a healthy practice and best to be safe by thoroughly inspecting your fruits and vegetables before you leave the supermarket and immediately when you get home.
Read more of George Zapo’s articles pertaining to public, global, and environmental health at his website: georgezapo.com.
