New Household Security measures.

[Tony Smith]

Guard dogs are a bit 1980s (although we do have a Red Heeler as head of domestic security and interrogator of all new arrivals). Security cameras (which we also have) are an "after the fact" thing in the event of a break-in.

We have got a whole new slant on domestic security. For some reason Golden Orb spiders have decided to live in our tress and yard. They are actually fairly placid (I've picked on up when I accidentally knocked it out of its web and it only made a half-hearted attempt to bite me (I had  motorcycle gloves on). Their venom apparently stings like a bee, but I've no desire to find out.

This guy is 22cm tentacle to tentacle. How would you feel coming over the fence at night and having him on your face?

[wilcom]

Golden Orb spiders have decided to live in our tress and yard.

OMG !! I just rang up Quantus and cancelled my flight.

[wilcom]

Golden Orb spiders have decided to live in our tress and yard.

OMG !! I just rang up Quantus and cancelled my flight.

[Tony Smith]

Here is another - even bigger one

[Billmc]

Holy Mother of Pearl Tony!.
For those of us who don't use the Queens measurements that's almost 9" across, or the size of a  mid-summer South Texas Mosquito!!!

[Tony Smith]

Fortunately they are fairly placid, their venom is a neurotoxin by definition, but fairly mild. According to people who annoyed a Golden Orb spider enough for it to bite them it's not much worse than a bee sting. I cannot comment because I,ve never been bitten by one - and do not plan to be. I also can't comment on bee stings because as a result of a near death experience when I was 18 months old, I am immune to bees and paper wasps - they worry me to the same extent as sand flies. I am however not immune to Hornets - found that out when one flew through my open visor and stung me on the face - 24 hours before the swelling went down enough to wear a helmet - Hornets hurt!

[skippyc]

We get a smaller version in our garden, they have a very strong web. A very pretty spider.

[wilcom]

We get a smaller version in our garden, they have a very strong web. A very pretty spider.

You guys have the key to any immigration issues you may have right there in your backyards just  post them up on your travel guides.........that ought ah do it, What do they catch in their webs, birds, small mammals?

[Tony Smith]

 What do they catch in their webs, birds, small mammals?

This is not going to do your nightmares any good at all Joe.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1079895/The-amazing-pictures-giant-spider-eating-bird.html

[wilcom]

This is not going to do your nightmares any good at all Joe.

You were right Tony, my nightmare continues 3 fold. I once got sucked in to a click bait site with the heading "10 ungodly things you never knew existed in Australia" I'm sure that spider was one of them!

[DeeG]

If that thing lived in the ocean, you'd be eating it for dinner.