Reminder to expats in Australia

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I'm sure you don't need reminding but I thought I would anyway - we are suffering from a bit of a plague of redback spiders at the mo due to the interesting weather, and this morning DS went outside to sit on one of his ride-on trucks. Suddenly crossed my mind that it would be a perfect place for redbacks to hide under, so grabbed him off and DH checked - 2 big redbacks and an egg sac.

All dealt with safely now - but just wanted to share our "near miss" if you like, in case your memories needed jogging.

Not quite as scary as finding one in the hood of DS's pushchair when we went to the Newcastle Show a few weeks back - only a baby thankfully which was swiftly despatched - but the pushchair had only been left out overnight and that was the result! Gah!

Wierd, I've never heard of them. I feel like you are teasing me . Will ask dh on his return.

I am absolutely definitely not teasing you. They are a menace. You haven't heard of them because they're mostly found in NSW and Qld (they prefer it subtropical) and South Aussies are usually too busy talking about redbacks and brown snakes but they have been known to come down this way. So maybe you can be a bit less paranoid than brightongirl, the risk is lower. But it is worth keeping in mind.

methinks she is jesting - my Aussie friends finally relented after 4 months and told me they were kidding!

See this link www.moxon.net/australia/drop_bears.html

Unless Tortoise has discovered a new breed....

You're wicked tortoise...

I'll get my coat

I almost fell for it again you know...

Tortoise you are norty

• norty tortoise!! Pretty convincing - glad I knew before you started!

I actually didn't know until I followed brighton's link that they were supposed to be related to koalas. I was just making up whatever seemed most convincing.

Okay, so, I'm sorry, drop bears do not exist. They are a myth designed to frighten English tourists.

That said, though, you really should be aware of hoop snakes.

How long have you been living here Claudia?

We're in prime funnelweb country with a big, leafy garden but have never seen one, or a redback. I get the house sprayed every year but the pest guy just laughed at me when I mentioned spraying the garden.

Tortoise - don't forget the Bunyip!

I like this information, particularly the Latin name!

hoop snakes - very important link.

Hi Sunny, I've been here nearly 4 years.

I would advise anyone thinking of moving to Oz NOT to read the first chapter of Bill Brysons book on Australia, it basically lists all the deadly things here that are out to sting/bite/eat/squeeze you to death.

Yes, I agree Claudia. My parents have both read that book and are so pathetic when they come here, checking under garden chairs before they sit down and peering accusingly into trees.

I spend 70% of my time like this; when they are here.

Just thought I'd let you all know . . .

A SCORPION was hiding under my laundry basket!

OK, it was dead and also quite small, but still. A SCORPION

oh GAAAAHHD - Scorpions are in my list of irrational shrieking fear reactions as well, Claudia! I hope I never see one.

DS's godfather refuses point blank to come here because of the spiders and snakes and things. Big Wuss. His godma would love to come and visit but the Big Wuss is putting the kibosh on it

Oo, I didn't know we got scorps out here. I've never seen one but would love to, I think they're interesting!

Hi still around but normally lurking in aibu at three in the morning whilst bf-ing.

Snakes-totally in your area Thumb, including my nephews school-scary.

Bugs in the house-as a bit of an alternative, and after an experiance with using evil chemicals and failing (intresting story if anyone asks) I go for using a mix of lemon juice and tea tree oil/eucalypt oil sprayed round the house and especially round the boundries, door frames etc, keeps the little beggers outside.

I like bugs and critters, and each to their own space, I just give them more space in this country.