I leave my muddy gardening boots on the porch or in the garage when I come in to prevent all the dirt from having to be cleaned up in the house. But I worry about spiders (really only worry about brown recluse and black widow) being in my boots when I put them on. Sometimes, I do not wear my boots for a period of time. They are about 16 inches high so I really cannot look into them or certainly into the toe to see if spiders are there. Do any of you have a practical solution to my problem. How can I check for spiders/keep spiders out with the least amount of hassle ( I need every minute I can for chores). I should mention that I have an allergy to spider bites. Swell up like a tick! Thanks, looking forward to your advice.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), July 20, 2001

Answers

Couldn't you stuff something in them when you take them off - newspapers, old towels, or wrap them in an old sheet, or something? Pinch the tops shut with clothspins? Or even tape the tops shut with duct tape? Must be some way of keeping the tops closed off until you want them again...

-- Bonnie (chilton@stateline-isp.com), July 20, 2001.

Put them in a pair pantyhose and tie the top in a loose knot.

-- Terri Perry (teperry@stargate.net), July 20, 2001.

Try sliding a baggie over the tops of them or get some of those Glad brand bowl covers (you know, the ones that look like shower caps) and pop those on the tops.

-- Auntie Annie (sahamett@msn.com), July 20, 2001.

I use those big Chip Clips to close up the opening to my gardening gloves when not in use. I feel a lot more comfortable sticking my hands back in them the next time. Any big plastic bag would work as mentioned above, just tie up the top. Poke a few little bitty holes in it for air to circulate though. Panty hose was a good idea too if the boots would fit in them.

-- Carole (carle@earthlink.net), July 20, 2001.

Use the panty hose 'upside down' with one leg over each boot. Pull them down until they're tight.

And what a surprise to the un-wary!

j

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), July 20, 2001.

Thanks all!!! I knew you people would understand AND respond. Did I mention that I just LOVE to wear my rubber boots. They were my favorite (asked for) christmas present!!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), July 20, 2001.

I used to drop a mothball in each one of mine. Just roll em out before wearing.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), July 20, 2001.

You could try sprinkling a little diatomaceous earth in them. That should kill any critter that wants to visit. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), July 21, 2001.

Just read the other day on a website that spiders hate Lemon Pledge (from the handler of the spiders in the movie "ARACHNIPHOBIA"). Suggest balling up a sheet of newspaper and pouring a little in the middle and stuffing the boot. Kelly

-- Kelly Miller (kellys_plants@hotmail.com), July 22, 2001.

Have no suggestions but think that if there would happen to be a spider in your boot, and you put your foot in, chances are you would get the spider before it got you! In fact you probably wouldn't even notice unless it had a big juicy body!! Nice thought, huh?!?!?!?!

-- Michael W. Smith in North-West Pennsylvania (kirklbb@penn.com), July 22, 2001.

Move to Maine! We do not allow those creepy-crawlers around here. The black flies eat them when they are babies. Works for us! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), July 23, 2001.

I remember about twenty years ago - a hot summer day - evening and cooled at last - lying on the cool floor "resting my eyes" - wearing just a pair of shorts (as opposed to underwear - shorts are outerwear). One of those enormous huntsman spiders with a three-inch leg-span ran across my chest. I could feel every step he made with his hard spiky little hooves. It would have been so much worse if he'd been a spider in boots.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), July 24, 2001.

Just so you know a smashed fiddle back (brown recluse) will bite as it's body is compressed, and they aren't always so recluse-ive I had to live in a rent house that was infested with them,had one come out from under the coffee table across the floor after me, well my adrenalin induced jump away reflex had taken over and it looked like it was chasing after me at the time, as I was tryed to nail it with a hammer. They would also be in my sons toy box and potty chair. So my nerves may have been a little thin with them.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), July 26, 2001.

How about 2 old knee high socks, stuffed with cedar shavings as a deodorizing, moisture absorbing insert?

-- rick K (rick_122@hotmail.com), July 28, 2001.