[2BNTV]

Being a city boy, I was just wondering if anyone researched TV in terms of, thinking of wildlife and how it would affect their lives. I am amazed at the amount of wildlife there is, in this setting.

I knew there was buffalo here at one time but coyote's going through screens and snatching cats from a lanai, and hawks swooping down on small dogs? OMG

I'm not talking about partying and going out drinking, every night.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Being a city boy, I was just wondering if anyone researched TV in terms of, thinking of wildlife and how it would affect their lives. I am amazed at the amount of wildlife there is, in this setting.

I knew there was buffalo here at one time but coyote's going through screens and snatching cats from a lanai, and hawks swooping down on small dogs? OMG

I'm not talking about partying and going out drinking, every night.

Darn, you beat me to it

[Sandtrap328]

You forgot the alligators and venomous snakes by the ponds and the brown recluse spiders in the tall grasses.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

You forgot the alligators and venomous snakes by the ponds and the brown recluse spiders in the tall grasses.

and line dancers, seat savers, nymphomaniacs in the squares after hours, drunk cart drivers and they posters that keep trashing TV on this forum

[Jaggy]

nevermind

[graciegirl]

And unless we all have forgotten, there is






MR. Midnight!

[MikeV]

City Fire in Lake Sumter Landing has some pretty wild life.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

You forgot the alligators and venomous snakes by the ponds and the brown recluse spiders in the tall grasses.

Thanks a lot Nephew of Uncle Joe. Until your thread I never heard of brown recluse spiders of the tall grasses. Something new to add to my hole in the bucket and everything is leaking list. What exactly is a brown recluse spider? By definition wouldn't it be a a spider who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid people. Couldn't they find a better hiding place than tall grasses?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Thanks a lot Nephew of Uncle Joe. Until your thread I never heard of brown recluse spiders of the tall grasses. Something new to add to my hole in the bucket and everything is leaking list. What exactly is a brown recluse spider? By definition wouldn't it be a a spider who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid people. Couldn't they find a better hiding place than tall grasses?

Very nasty bugs. Their bite causes necrosis (death) of the surrounding skin. Once had a patient who almost lost her leg from a single bite due to the extent of the necrosis and secondary infection. Avoid them. Fortunately they are much less common in Florida than in the South Central states

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Very nasty bugs. Their bite causes necrosis (death) of the surrounding skin. Once had a patient who almost lost her leg from a single bite due to the extent of the necrosis and secondary infection. Avoid them. Fortunately they are much less common in Florida than in the South Central states

thank-you
If one does get bit, what are the signs?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by tomwed

thank-you
If one does get bit, what are the signs?

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee sting is noticed at the time of the bite and a small white blister develops at the site of the bite. Symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a bite. Keep in mind that most bites cause little tissue destruction.

Victims may experience these symptoms:
•severe pain at bite site after about four hours,
•severe itching,
•nausea,
•vomiting,
•fever, and
•myalgias (muscle pain).

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Most commonly, the bite site will become firm and heal with little scaring over the next few days or weeks. Occasionally, the local reaction will be more severe with erythema and blistering, sometimes leading to a blue discoloration, and ultimately leading to a necrotic lesion and scarring. Signs that may be present include:
•blistering (common),
•necrosis (death) of skin and subcutaneous fat (less common), and
•severe destructive necrotic lesions with deep wide borders (rare).
If you think you or someone you know has been bitten by a brown recluse spider, then the individual should be seen by a doctor that day. If possible, bring the spider in question to the doctor's office. Identification of the spider is very helpful in making the correct diagnosis.

If the patient is unable to be seen by a doctor that day, he or she should seek care at a hospital's emergency department

The doctor will try to make the correct diagnosis. It helps if the patient is able to produce the spider in question. That can often be difficult, because most victims don't even realize they have been bitten before developing symptoms.
•The doctor will ask about the bite event, time elapsed since the bite, other medical problems, medications, and allergies.
•In general, laboratory tests are not necessary if the symptoms are localized to the area of the bites. If symptoms are more severe or seem to spread, laboratory studies that may be performed include complete blood count, electrolytes, kidney function studies, blood clotting studies, and urinalysis.
•Although an immunologic (ELISA based) test for brown recluse spider bite has been developed, it is not commercially available or in routine use, therefore currently no specific lab findings can routinely confirm a brown recluse bite. Therefore, a presumptive diagnosis can occur only after a careful history and examination taking into account the likelihood of a bite depending on the part of the country where the person was bitten. This diagnosis can be confirmed if the spider is available and identified as a brown recluse.
After a spider bite:
•Apply ice to decrease pain and swelling.
•Elevate area if possible above the level of the heart.
•Wash the area thoroughly with cool water and mild soap.
•Avoid any strenuous activity because this can spread the spider's venom in the skin.
•Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief.

Do not perform any of the following techniques:
•Do not apply any heat to the area. This will accelerate tissue destruction.
•Do not apply any steroid creams to the area such as hydrocortisone cream.
•Do not attempt to remove the spider venom with suction devices or cut out the affected tissue.
•Do not apply electricity to the area. Anecdotal reports of high voltage electrotherapy from common stun guns have never been shown to be effective in any scientific studies. This can also cause secondary burns and deepen tissue destruction.
•Do not apply a tourniquet to the extremity involved
After initial evaluation, the doctor may provide the following treatment:
•Tetanus immunization
•Pain medication
•Antibiotics if signs of infection are present in the wound
•Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itch relief

There is no antivenom available in the United States to counteract the poisonous venom of the brown recluse spider. Controversial therapies include steroids and the drug dapsone (Avlosulfon). These are often reserved for people with severe systemic disease (such as certain types of anemia, blood clotting problems, and kidney failure). The therapies have little proven benefit.

The patient will need to follow-up with a doctor because most wounds will need to be checked daily for at least three to four days. Necrotic lesions will need close follow-up. The doctor may carefully remove dead tissue in necrotic areas to reduce the chance of developing secondary bacterial infections
After the initial evaluation by a doctor, the patient may expect this type of follow-up:
•Daily follow-up of wounds for the first 96 hours to assess the possibility or extent of necrosis (tissue death) of wound
•Hospitalization for people with systemic disease
•Continuation of antibiotics until secondary infections clear
•Follow-up with a surgeon if necrosis of the wound is evident
Reducing the possibility of an encounter with a brown recluse spider starts with eliminating known spider habitats.
•Perform routine, thorough house cleaning.
•Reduce clutter in garages, attics, and basements.
•Move all firewood, building materials, and debris away from the home's foundation.
•Install tight-fitting window screens and door sweeps.
•Clean behind outside home shutters.
•Consider installing yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs outside entrances because these lights are less attractive to insects and draw fewer spiders to the area.
•Consider professional pest elimination
The majority of brown recluse bites cause little permanent skin damage, although, in some cases, moderate to severe tissue destruction is possible. The full extent of damage to tissues is not known for days. It may take many months for the wound to completely heal.
•Brown recluse bites are noted for somewhat slow development of signs and symptoms, and often take up to 12 hours to reveal themselves. Necrosis of skin (death of skin), if it occurs, does so in the first 96 hours. Bites older than this that do not display tissue death have not been reported to worsen.
•Necrotic lesions can be difficult to manage, and early surgery to remove dead tissue has not been shown to improve outcomes. Necrotic lesions with careful cleaning are allowed to mature for weeks until spreading stops and healing appears to begin. Then a wide area of tissue around the wound is removed and skin grafting may be done once all evidence of skin necrosis has subsided
OK, that should answer the question pretty thoroughly.
Answer not off the top of my head, it's from Web MD
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/9/2014
Medical Author:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Unlike some potential presidential candidates, I do not plagiarize

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee sting is noticed at the time of the bite and a small white blister develops at the site of the bite. Symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a bite. Keep in mind that most bites cause little tissue destruction.

Victims may experience these symptoms:
•severe pain at bite site after about four hours,
•severe itching,
•nausea,
•vomiting,
•fever, and
•myalgias (muscle pain).

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Most commonly, the bite site will become firm and heal with little scaring over the next few days or weeks. Occasionally, the local reaction will be more severe with erythema and blistering, sometimes leading to a blue discoloration, and ultimately leading to a necrotic lesion and scarring. Signs that may be present include:
•blistering (common),
•necrosis (death) of skin and subcutaneous fat (less common), and
•severe destructive necrotic lesions with deep wide borders (rare).
If you think you or someone you know has been bitten by a brown recluse spider, then the individual should be seen by a doctor that day. If possible, bring the spider in question to the doctor's office. Identification of the spider is very helpful in making the correct diagnosis.

If the patient is unable to be seen by a doctor that day, he or she should seek care at a hospital's emergency department

The doctor will try to make the correct diagnosis. It helps if the patient is able to produce the spider in question. That can often be difficult, because most victims don't even realize they have been bitten before developing symptoms.
•The doctor will ask about the bite event, time elapsed since the bite, other medical problems, medications, and allergies.
•In general, laboratory tests are not necessary if the symptoms are localized to the area of the bites. If symptoms are more severe or seem to spread, laboratory studies that may be performed include complete blood count, electrolytes, kidney function studies, blood clotting studies, and urinalysis.
•Although an immunologic (ELISA based) test for brown recluse spider bite has been developed, it is not commercially available or in routine use, therefore currently no specific lab findings can routinely confirm a brown recluse bite. Therefore, a presumptive diagnosis can occur only after a careful history and examination taking into account the likelihood of a bite depending on the part of the country where the person was bitten. This diagnosis can be confirmed if the spider is available and identified as a brown recluse.
After a spider bite:
•Apply ice to decrease pain and swelling.
•Elevate area if possible above the level of the heart.
•Wash the area thoroughly with cool water and mild soap.
•Avoid any strenuous activity because this can spread the spider's venom in the skin.
•Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief.

Do not perform any of the following techniques:
•Do not apply any heat to the area. This will accelerate tissue destruction.
•Do not apply any steroid creams to the area such as hydrocortisone cream.
•Do not attempt to remove the spider venom with suction devices or cut out the affected tissue.
•Do not apply electricity to the area. Anecdotal reports of high voltage electrotherapy from common stun guns have never been shown to be effective in any scientific studies. This can also cause secondary burns and deepen tissue destruction.
•Do not apply a tourniquet to the extremity involved
After initial evaluation, the doctor may provide the following treatment:
•Tetanus immunization
•Pain medication
•Antibiotics if signs of infection are present in the wound
•Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itch relief

There is no antivenom available in the United States to counteract the poisonous venom of the brown recluse spider. Controversial therapies include steroids and the drug dapsone (Avlosulfon). These are often reserved for people with severe systemic disease (such as certain types of anemia, blood clotting problems, and kidney failure). The therapies have little proven benefit.

The patient will need to follow-up with a doctor because most wounds will need to be checked daily for at least three to four days. Necrotic lesions will need close follow-up. The doctor may carefully remove dead tissue in necrotic areas to reduce the chance of developing secondary bacterial infections
After the initial evaluation by a doctor, the patient may expect this type of follow-up:
•Daily follow-up of wounds for the first 96 hours to assess the possibility or extent of necrosis (tissue death) of wound
•Hospitalization for people with systemic disease
•Continuation of antibiotics until secondary infections clear
•Follow-up with a surgeon if necrosis of the wound is evident
Reducing the possibility of an encounter with a brown recluse spider starts with eliminating known spider habitats.
•Perform routine, thorough house cleaning.
•Reduce clutter in garages, attics, and basements.
•Move all firewood, building materials, and debris away from the home's foundation.
•Install tight-fitting window screens and door sweeps.
•Clean behind outside home shutters.
•Consider installing yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs outside entrances because these lights are less attractive to insects and draw fewer spiders to the area.
•Consider professional pest elimination
The majority of brown recluse bites cause little permanent skin damage, although, in some cases, moderate to severe tissue destruction is possible. The full extent of damage to tissues is not known for days. It may take many months for the wound to completely heal.
•Brown recluse bites are noted for somewhat slow development of signs and symptoms, and often take up to 12 hours to reveal themselves. Necrosis of skin (death of skin), if it occurs, does so in the first 96 hours. Bites older than this that do not display tissue death have not been reported to worsen.
•Necrotic lesions can be difficult to manage, and early surgery to remove dead tissue has not been shown to improve outcomes. Necrotic lesions with careful cleaning are allowed to mature for weeks until spreading stops and healing appears to begin. Then a wide area of tissue around the wound is removed and skin grafting may be done once all evidence of skin necrosis has subsided
OK, that should answer the question pretty thoroughly.
Answer not off the top of my head, it's from Web MD
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/9/2014
Medical Author:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Unlike some potential presidential candidates, I do not plagiarize

thank-you for taking the time to share what you know
You're a good man and we are lucky to have you around.

[dbussone]

In TN, NC and some other southern states these spiders will find their way indoors and even hide in clothing. Hence the warning to all that clothing should be shaken well before wearing seasonal clothing which has been left alone for a long time (like winter clothes). They also like to hide in wood piles. Do be careful if you have a stack for your outside fire pit.

[kstew43]

Husband was bitten a few years ago working in the yard cleaning palm fronds in Broward county...Ft Lauderdale.

He came in with what looked like a bite on his leg. After and hour or so it started to go into his veins, you could actually see it moving up his leg towards his groin.

We live in Weston so we went to Cleveland Clinic. nurse circled it with a marker, and sent us out to the waiting room to wait our turn. 2 hours later it had reached his groin thru the veins and I compained...loudly......a doctor heard me and took us directly to a room where he started him on antibiotics. Because he is also a diabetic....it was a tad bit more dangerous.

He was in the hospital for 12 days, his skin blistered and then ulcered and then sort of fell off. They worked hard to stop it but after 10 days the ulcers and nercrosis stopped. For 3 weeks or so his leg muscles were in terrible pain and he couldnt put any weight on it. But then...it mysteriously started to get better. He didnt have any skin grafts because it was located on the back of his lower and inside leg. The new skin gradually came back, but there is still a nasty 10 inch scar. It looked as though he had 3rd degree burns.

I took pictures...morbid I know. If I could figure how to put them on here I will. Spiders are nasty little things.....

[kstew43]

???