Bumba Horrida Urticating Hairs

[itchyhands]

Hi everyone

I'm a new keeper that was really excited to keep tarantulas, so I kind of jumped the gun and have ended up with 5. I started out with a 1/4 inch Cyriocosmus elegans and two 1/2 inch Dwarf Hapalopus sp Colombias in the hopes one would age out female. They immediately sealed themselves away and I haven't seen them much since, so I decided I wanted something bigger and a confirmed female, and I also wanted something that was a little less beginner-y.

I got a 1/2 inch Psalmopoues Cambridgei and a 2" female Bumba Horrida. The Bumba is beautiful and was calm when I transferred her, but she is clearly stressed about being rehomed, and has kicked off all the hairs from her abdomen and completely lined her enclosure. These hairs seem to get on me even if I just open the door to her enclosure. My hands have been stinging. I'm now worried that I can't handle the urticating hairs. I have sensitive skin and honestly have enough problems already, I'm chronically ill and just don't need this tbh.

I asked about urticating hairs before jumping into the hobby and everyone reassured me that it wasn't a big deal and they don't get on you that easily. In the info I could find about the Bumba, people said they didn't kick hairs often and that they were usually docile and good for beginners, I have found conflicting information about their hair. She is docile but her abdomen is bald today and I just got her yesterday. I'm embarrassed to be feeling like I want to get rid of her already. She cost $125 and I feel like I made a dumb mistake. I added more soil and isopods to her enclosure today because they came late in the mail, and even though I wore gloves I still got itchy hands somehow.

I really like the Cambridgei and I kind of wish I just started with that. Are my dwarf tarantulas going to be like this too when they're bigger? Do you guys get hair on you every time you open your T's cage to do feedings and water? Do you guys think I should get rid of her or will it get better if she has time to settle ?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hi everyone

I'm a new keeper that was really excited to keep tarantulas, so I kind of jumped the gun and have ended up with 5. I started out with a 1/4 inch Cyriocosmus elegans and two 1/2 inch Dwarf Hapalopus sp Colombias in the hopes one would age out female. They immediately sealed themselves away and I haven't seen them much since, so I decided I wanted something bigger and a confirmed female, and I also wanted something that was a little less beginner-y. I got a 1/2 inch Psalmopoues Cambridgei and a 2" female Bumba Horrida. The Bumba is beautiful and was calm when I transferred her, but she is clearly stressed about being rehomed, and has kicked off all the hairs from her abdomen and completely lined her enclosure. These hairs seem to get on me even if I just open the door to her enclosure. My hands have been stinging. I'm now worried that I can't handle the urticating hairs. I have sensitive skin and honestly have enough problems already, I'm chronically ill and just don't need this tbh. I asked about urticating hairs before jumping into the hobby and everyone reassured me that it wasn't a big deal and they don't get on you that easily. In the info I could find about the Bumba, people said they didn't kick hairs often and that they were usually docile and good for beginners, I have found conflicting information about their hair. She is docile but her abdomen is bald today and I just got her yesterday. I'm embarrassed to be feeling like I want to get rid of her already. She cost $125 and I feel like I made a dumb mistake. I really like the Cambridgei and I wish I just kind of started with that. Are my dwarf tarantulas going to be like this too when they're bigger? Do you guys get hair on you every time you open your T's cage to do feedings and water? Do you guys think I should get rid of her or will it get better if she has time to settle ? I added more soil to her enclosure today because she was trying to build dirt walls and even though I wore gloves I still got itchy hands somehow.

I used to wear a windbreaker , been trying to find arm guards or sort no luck. Here’s my thread on hairs .. enjoy ..

Worst Urticating Hairs In tarantulas????OUCH ...which ones HURT the most?

I've only ever been haired via contact with substrate, and so far I've reacted the most to, of all things, my B. albo. It was bad enough that I'm extremely careful to avoid any contact with substrate now, and I do rehouses with long sleeves tucked into arm-length gloves, plus a face mask and lab...

arachnoboards.com

 

[SpookySpooder]

Nice name for your first post. Made me laugh IRL.

You two are perfect for each other. This guy's reaction to hairs is so bad his parents banned him from getting new T's but he's still addicted anyway

 

[itchyhands]

I used to wear a windbreaker , been trying to find arm guards or sort no luck. Here’s my thread on hairs .. enjoy ..

Worst Urticating Hairs In tarantulas????OUCH ...which ones HURT the most?

I've only ever been haired via contact with substrate, and so far I've reacted the most to, of all things, my B. albo. It was bad enough that I'm extremely careful to avoid any contact with substrate now, and I do rehouses with long sleeves tucked into arm-length gloves, plus a face mask and lab...

arachnoboards.com

I was just checking out that thread lol. Honestly after reading all that I feel like a huge baby. What I'm experiencing is like a mild burning / prickling feeling. It's the psychological aspect that messes with me more than anything, like the hairs could be anywhere and I can't even see or avoid them. I'm a crazy person. Spiders are so cool though

 

[SpookySpooder]

1) The Bumba is beautiful and was calm when I transferred her, but she is clearly stressed about being rehomed, and has kicked off all the hairs from her abdomen and completely lined her enclosure. These hairs seem to get on me even if I just open the door to her enclosure.
1) Yeah, you stressed her out and she kicked hairs all over the place to place a preemptive defense against being disturbed again. This is normal behavior for all T's.

2) My hands have been stinging. I'm now worried that I can't handle the urticating hairs. I have sensitive skin and honestly have enough problems already, I'm chronically ill and just don't need this tbh. I asked about urticating hairs before jumping into the hobby and everyone reassured me that it wasn't a big deal and they don't get on you that easily.
2) RIP. Take an allergy pill. Use some calamine lotion for the itching. Wash with warm water and soap. It won't stop your body's reaction but it'll clear off the hairs. Always use a tool as an extension of your finger. Never touch the substrate with your bare hands. Don't pinch and pull out webbing. Don't blow into the enclosure. (I only say this because someone actually did this once and setae got in their eyes... this shows a complete lack of functioning brain cells)

3) In the info I could find about the Bumba, people said they didn't kick hairs often and that they were usually docile and good for beginners, I have found conflicting information about their hair. She is docile but her abdomen is bald today and I just got her yesterday.
3) Temperment is a case by case basis. But hair kicking is a regular and common behavior amongst all of the species that have hairs.

4) I'm embarrassed to be feeling like I want to get rid of her already. She cost $125 and I feel like I made a dumb mistake. I really like the Cambridgei and I wish I just kind of started with that. Are my dwarf tarantulas going to be like this too when they're bigger?
4) ALL Tarantulas (with uricating setae) are like this. It is a defensive behavior they exhibit. You only like the Cambridgei more because you haven't been haired by it.
I wouldn't get rid of her unless you absolutely cannot work around it as most will display this behavior.

5) Do you guys get hair on you every time you open your T's cage to do feedings and water?
5) Not once in the years I've been at it. I've got some thick skin though. I've picked up the setae to get a closer look at them too, and felt a slight tingle but nothing crazy like you guys. I do have gnarly allergies to pollen and dust though so it's not like I have a super immune system or anything.

6) Do you guys think I should get rid of her or will it get better if she has time to settle ? I added more soil to her enclosure today because she was trying to build dirt walls and even though I wore gloves I still got itchy hands somehow.
6) Most likely she will get better with time. Once she settles in, has a hide or burrow established, she will more likely retreat into it than throw hairs around. Are you wearing the thin nitrile food gloves, or are you using elbow length rubber dishwashing gloves?

So many questions in one huge block make it hard to address everything. Try breaking up your thoughts into paragraphs next time.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I was just checking out that thread lol. Honestly after reading all that I feel like a huge baby. What I'm experiencing is like a mild burning / prickling feeling. It's the psychological aspect that messes with me more than anything, like the hairs could be anywhere and I can't even see or avoid them. I'm a crazy person. Spiders are so cool though

Yeah I still get hairs on me wearing gloves too , that’s why I said we need something that works as full arm guards . But other than a long sleeve windbreaker I don’t know what works . That thread had loads of information and stuff, it could be a valuable resource along with new techniques.
I’ll prob just have to get old worlds if I ever buy more Ts. Don’t think I’m allowed hair kickers , now just to convince the parents species exist without hairs they missed that part .
with the tactics I used in that thread I rarely get haired it’s usually the substrate that hairs me when it dries up it kicks up hairs .. I could prob have a t blondi and not get haired often , but I won’t take that risk . I’m stuck to lasiodora and Lesser haired ones . I want a t stirmi but parents already put down the gauntlet.. prohibition it is ..
I refused to sell them I’m hooked ..
the captain is sinking with the ship .

 

[SpookySpooder]

Do I really need to spoon feed you everything?

 

[itchyhands]

Do I really need to spoon feed you everything?

We should all just get OBTs instead and be done with it right ?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

We should all just get OBTs instead and be done with it right ?

Maybe but your name is a Good name for a thread on urticating hairs haha .. yeah I’d rather deal with a threat posturing obt then tiny micro hairs that itch like hell and feels like being burned also .

Do I really need to spoon feed you everything?

who’s being spoon fed ? Lol ..

 

[SpookySpooder]

Click the link you scrub. How many of my super helpful links have you ignored now?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Click the link you scrub. How many of my super helpful links have you ignored now?

My bad you’re just too good at sneaking links in when I don’t notice it’s one … Wow those gloves are cheaper than I expected. Always saving the day … thanks for the help!!

 

[SpookySpooder]

My bad you’re just too good at sneaking links in when I don’t notice it’s one

… Wow those gloves are cheaper than I expected. Always saving the day … thanks for the help!!

Text is grey, links are white.

Hang on, let me find an optometrist in your area...

 

[SpookySpooder]

We should all just get OBTs instead and be done with it right ?

First T: Pterinochilus murinus
Second T: Poecilotheria metallica
Third T: anything Theraphosa

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Text is grey, links are white.

Hang on, let me find an optometrist in your area...

I’m not in dark mode so links are grey ish . Nearly the same color as regular text .

 

[itchyhands]

Click the link you scrub. How many of my super helpful links have you ignored now?

I bought those gloves , I was using thin medical gloves. Hopefully these work then. I feel like I'm the third wheel in the middle of an intense arachnoboards flirting session rn.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I bought those gloves , I was using thin medical gloves. Hopefully these work then. I feel like I'm the third wheel in the middle of an intense arachnoboards flirting session rn.

ouch medical gloves usually don’t work for me unless it’s minor maintenance.
I mean upper arm guards was what I was looking for but those super long gloves are even better.. my current gloves are like the longer dish washing style.

First T: Pterinochilus murinus
Second T: Poecilotheria metallica
Third T: anything Theraphosa

Just get 10 obts call it a day .. haha oh wait I didn’t know they were so short lived . 🥲 rip.. pet holes rock 🪨!
t blondi hairs are terrifying!

 

[SpookySpooder]

I bought those gloves , I was using thin medical gloves. Hopefully these work then. I feel like I'm the third wheel in the middle of an intense arachnoboards flirting session rn.

I've used those gloves to remove stinging nettle and poison ivy so they should be fine against setae. Make sure to rinse them off so you aren't collecting and dropping setae all over your floor.

You can join our hot and heavy PMs for $4.99/mo if you're feeling left out. Fair warning, there's a lot of verbal shaming and threats of minor violence.

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

I was thinking about getting some leg warmers but for my arms, don't know if that's a helpful suggestion or not.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I was thinking about getting some leg warmers but for my arms, don't know if that's a helpful suggestion or not.

Hmm maybe it could help with the itching. I found some arm guards but I might just be better off buying a new wind jacket . Haha .. maybe I could check the hardware store .

 

[SpookySpooder]

I was thinking about getting some leg warmers but for my arms, don't know if that's a helpful suggestion or not.

You'll be a certified and honorary T with how many setae are gonna be embedded in there.