Can they? Absolutely! That wasn't the question. Just because they can doesn't mean they will and I am asking if anyone has personally had problems with arboreal tarantulas escaping. It was more of a question of wire mesh versus the poly fabric. I do keep larger tarantulas in them because when they do chew through the fabric they can't fit through the hole.
If they can, than that means it's not a suitable lid, because some will chew their way out. There's also the assumption that the fabric, or screen, is always glued properly and tightly at every hole; I wouldn't count on that myself. If you're going to be 'housing quite a few spiderlings' then it's best to have the ventilation in the sides, instead of the lids, so you don't give up air flow when you stack them. Side holes give cross ventilation, vented lids don't. I've had, and have, and a lot of spiders in deli cups and side holes work far better.
