Tarantulas - what do we do?

Question

My wife and I recently bought a home in Oklahoma. In our backyard we have found four burrows housing what I think are Oklahoma Brown Tarantulas. We have a five month old baby and I was wondering if we need to be concerned. Also, do tarantulas "infest" yards, and if so what can we do?

Answer 1

I've lived in OK all my life and have experienced tarantulas from time to time, but I don't mind because I love spiders. I have never experienced them in a bad way either. Anyhow, you don't need to be concerned because tarantulas are docile, timid little creatures. They are also non venomous and beneficial. The only draw back is that you could get bitten and I'd imagine that could hurt, however, that is highly unlikely to happen. They will run from you faster than you can run from them. As for infestation, yes it can happen.
When I was a child my grandparents had an over population of tarantulas and when they would come out in the evening it would look something like a horror movie. The tarantulas never did try to harm anyone though. If you are overly concerned then I would look into hiring an exterminator. If you can live with them then leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Have you seen the tarantulas because those burrows could be something else altogether.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Tarantulas are delicate, for spiders, and they know it. If you spend time in the yard, first, the food for the spiders will leave, then so will the tarantulas. Foot traffic will frighten or kill them. Since spiders eat bugs (that eat humans food and bite humans), I usually leave spiders alone. They naturally avoid human or pet traffic.

Answer 3

Flood the burrows and use a sprinkler to keep the yard wet for a while, then they will leave. Keep your doors and windows shut.

Answer 4

call an exterminator