Venomous Brown Widow spiders are being spotted in Georgia.
Pest control experts say the drought, a mild winter and storms on the coast are behind the spider's growth and migration to the area.
The Brown Widow is smaller and more reclusive than it's Black Widow relative.
But Jody Hubbell, an entomologist at Truetech Pest Control in Marietta says to watch out - it's venom packs a deadlier punch:
“They are related to the black widow spider, and, although they are non-aggressive, they actually have more potent venom.
"They do like to go to places like crawl spaces, garages, where there's a lot of clutter... one thing is that they can get into shoes; so it's advisable to check shoes before stepping in.”
Hubbell says the spider comes from Florida, and is also showing South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Drought, storms bringing deadly spiders to Chattahoochee Valley
Monday, May 21, 2007
Columbus: brass tacks at Ft. Benning BRAC session
Military and civilian officials at BRAC session.
(Dave Bender)
Over 100 Georgia and Alabama officials, and federal and military representatives met in Columbus on Monday to discuss the army's planned Base Realignment and Closure program (BRAC).
The army plans to move an armor school, currently based at Ft. Knox, KY to Ft. Benning within the next three to five years.
The comprehensive morning session met at Columbus State University's Cunningham Center for Leadership. On the agenda were schools, housing, health care, transportation, public services, ecological, economic impact, as well as funding issues related to the move.
Colonel Keith Lovejoy, Fort Benning Garrison Commander of Fort Benning, told GPB News they planned to cover issues of anticipated base growth: “in terms of soldiers coming to the base; what kind of construction we're going to do; effects on the local roads, the networks... the different utilities... basically just making sure the community is aware of what's coming and when it's going to be here – and then also, to answer some of the concerns of the local community.”
The army expects over 30,000 troops, and their families, contractors and service providers to move into the Columbus and Chattahoochee Valley area.