Bumba Horrida Urticating Hairs

[Ultum4Spiderz]

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

leg warmers would be a terrible idea for arm guards.. why even bother ? I thought they meant after being haired .. for the itching.

 

[Wenzer]

I haven't had too many issues with U-hairs but occasionally I do get the itchies from them. I also have sensitive skin + allergies and dermatographia, so I've had to force myself to learn not to react to itchies because with dermatographia even minor scratches or pressure on the skin can cause me to break out in welts. Continuously itching will cause the whole area of the itch to swell up with even more itchy hives!

While not specific to Ts or U-hairs, what helps me the most with anything itchy is cold water and ice, sometimes to the point of dunking my hands or arms in an ice bath if it's bad enough. It helps to alleviate the inflammatory reaction and reduces the itchy feeling, and if it's cold enough there's a numbing effect to it as well. An ice cube or ice pack is great for it as well of course.

This may possibly not be the healthiest idea, but sometimes I will even put my hands under warm or somewhat-hot water then quickly switch the faucet to cold. I don't know for sure if that's actually safe since I know with burns, it's more damaging than helpful to use cold water/ice on the burn, for example, but since the temps are not at that kind of extreme I wouldn't expect it to be harmful... But basically, just know I warned ya of my uneducated suggestion if for some reason that's not safe advice

Another thing that helps me is rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. I'll usually put some on the itchy area and rub it in lightly, especially if I can't get to a sink right away or if it's not a really bad itch and that I can easily ignore.

unfortunately I don't have any ideas for prevention to offer that haven't already been shared here... I've pretty much resigned myself to dealing with it rather than trying to prevent it, but that's only because I have a lot of potential itchy triggers that just makes it impossible to avoid them all

 

[SpookySpooder]

unfortunately I don't have any ideas for prevention to offer that haven't already been shared here... I've pretty much resigned myself to dealing with it rather than trying to prevent it, but that's only because I have a lot of potential itchy triggers that just makes it impossible to avoid them all

I refer you to post #7 of this thread.

Why resign to suffering when you can ask for help?

 

[Wenzer]

I refer you to post #7 of this thread.

I may get some interesting looks if I wear those out in public certainly an option though, I suppose.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Interesting response. You tend to your T collection out in public?

 

[Wenzer]

Interesting response. You tend to your T collection out in public?

Haha, no, but I have a lot of different skin allergies/potential irritants and I'd theoretically have to wear those at all waking hours to prevent possible itchies I'm use to dealing with it though, and much better with avoiding potential causes than I use to be. So those gloves, for me, would probably be more hassle than it's worth.

Edit: I said skin allergies but I moreso mean allergies that affect my skin, not necessarily dermal-specific... If that makes sense

 

[SpookySpooder]

Uhhh... right. Well I can't say that makes any sense at all to me but you do you.



The gloves are made of Polyvinyl Chloride/nitrile and are latex free, lined with 100% cotton. Not sure how your skin would be affected by these materials but if you say you'll react. I'm sure you know your body better than I do.

 

[Wenzer]

Uhhh... right. Well I can't say that makes any sense at all to me but you do you.

My original remark that I don't have any suggestions to offer was more geared towards a general sense and not just the Tarantula keeping hobby, it was mostly for context lol. I'm not sure if that helps at all to make more sense

 

[SpookySpooder]

My original remark that I don't have any suggestions to offer was more geared towards a general sense and not just the Tarantula keeping hobby, it was mostly for context lol. I'm not sure if that helps at all to make more sense

So you mean to say your skin is so sensitive that anything can set off a reaction, and you're so used to dealing with reactions that you just won't bother to protect your skin?

I'm just trying to make sense of this. Sounds like a very uncomfortable condition to be dealing with constantly...

I feel for you deep in my soul, being that sensitive and continually exposing yourself to irritants such as setae. I can barely stand it when a mosquito puts a line of bites on me, and I don't even flare up that bad. It's just so itchy I want to rip my skin off. If I were you, I probably wouldn't keep T's with hairs... or go outside at all

 

[Wenzer]

So you mean to say your skin is so sensitive that anything can set off a reaction, and you're so used to dealing with reactions that you just won't bother to protect your skin?

Technically, yes that is part of my dermatographia. For many people it's not typically that severe or frequent of a reaction, but mine tend to hive up very quickly and is more of an everyday occurrence. It's believed to be a possibly autoimmune histamine response to tactile stimulation, typically from more pressure like scratches or friction rubbing but there have been times where lightly rubbing across my skin caused minor welting and itchies. It's not something that always happens, though, which is why I say 'technically'.

I'm just trying to make sense of this. Sounds like a very uncomfortable condition to be dealing with constantly...

It is most of the time, especially if I'm not paying a lot of attention to what I'm doing or how I'm moving around (I also tend to be very clumsy unfortunately so brushing up against furniture is also a common occurrence and will cause some itchies, especially if I'm wearing jeans, for some reason. Something about the type of fabric I guess. Jeans have always been more itchy for me so I rarely wear them anymore lol)

Many people with dermatographia do not experience it so chronically or severely, though. Some people may go weeks or months between incidences and/or it "flares up" due to stress etc. I just got the short end of the stick unfortunately.

I feel for you deep in my soul, being that sensitive and continually exposing yourself to irritants such as setae. I can barely stand it when a mosquito puts a line of bites on me, and I don't even flare up that bad. It's just so itchy I want to rip my skin off.

I think I'm somewhat desensitized to it at this point to be honest, it is still an itchy and irritating problem but I've managed to "mind over matter" it more often and just ignore the itch nowadays. Don't ask me how because I couldn't possibly know how to tell you

Edit to add: I'm not always the greatest at explaining things clearly but I realized there could be some more clarification to what I said--

The skin reaction from dermatographia does not always happen, even with the same types of triggers. Aside from that, since I have had many years of learning my body and what helps with the itching vs. what makes it worse or what frequently triggers it, that's why I said that for me it would probably be more of a hassle to wear full-arm gloves most of every day rather than doing what I do now

There's also other unrelated issues like my hands and fine motor skills being iffy at times and gloves can make that even more difficult. Just things specific to me personally that make the cons outweigh the pros of gloves like those. Hopefully that makes a bit more sense!

 

[viper69]

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 ?

Im not sure who told you info- I’d like to see that thread you posted about UrS.

The FACT is NOT A SINGLE SOUL CAN PREDICT HOW ANYONE WILL REACT TO UrS of ANY SPECIES OF T.

In fact, ANY OWNER CANNOT PREDICT HOW THEY WILL REACT TO THEIR NEXT T WITH UrS.

Anyone that told you “they are fine, you’ll be Ok” was a complete idiot.

There’s more than 1 member here who are not bothered at all by some of the worst NW species‘ UrS, I certainly affected by many.

Yet some of them are highly reactive to Avicularia and I am not.

As for predicting behavior the same applies. No predictions are possible.

These are animals, biology- not robots, not programs- just like human animals are unpredictable so are Ts!! People need to wake up and realize this. Too many get disappointed because their T doesn’t do X or Y etc, well tough boogers- they are animals!

You picked the wrong Ts, and given your words I’m shocked you’d give it a try.

The only Ts you should keep are those lacking UrS

good luck!

 

[itchyhands]

Im not sure who told you info- I’d like to see that thread you posted about UrS.

The FACT is NOT A SINGLE SOUL CAN PREDICT HOW ANYONE WILL REACT TO UrS of ANY SPECIES OF T.

In fact, ANY OWNER CANNOT PREDICT HOW THEY WILL REACT TO THEIR NEXT T WITH UrS.

Anyone that told you “they are fine, you’ll be Ok” was a complete idiot.

There’s more than 1 member here who are not bothered at all by some of the worst NW species‘ UrS, I certainly affected by many.

Yet some of them are highly reactive to Avicularia and I am not.

As for predicting behavior the same applies. No predictions are possible.

These are animals, biology- not robots, not programs- just like human animals are unpredictable so are Ts!! People need to wake up and realize this. Too many get disappointed because their T doesn’t do X or Y etc, well tough boogers- they are animals!

You picked the wrong Ts, and given your words I’m shocked you’d give it a try.

The only Ts you should keep are those lacking UrS

good luck!

It's really not that serious.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Yeah... after reading what Wenzer posted you sound like a big baby!

Like I said though they will calm down if you provide a good space for them to feel safe and comfortable. Most are more likely to retreat and hide then threat and kick.

Past that, just be careful and use your tools so you don't accidentally pick up any shed hairs from the enclosure.

If your Bumba keeps kicking at you no matter what and you absolutely can't deal with it, grow her out and trade her for something you'd like instead. There are species without hairs. (They tend to be very fast though) Plenty of people would be willing to trade for a healthy and decently sized T.

I'm also curious who told you not to worry about the hairs... nobody here right? Cause they'd have gotten corrected pretty quickly if they posted that here...

 

[itchyhands]

Yeah... after reading what Wenzer posted you sound like a big baby!

Like I said though they will calm down if you provide a good space for them to feel safe and comfortable. Most are more likely to retreat and hide then threat and kick.

Past that, just be careful and use your tools so you don't accidentally pick up any shed hairs from the enclosure.

If your Bumba keeps kicking at you no matter what and you absolutely can't deal with it, grow her out and trade her for something you'd like instead. There are species without hairs. (They tend to be very fast though) Plenty of people would be willing to trade for a healthy and decently sized T.

I'm also curious who told you not to worry about the hairs... nobody here right? Cause they'd have gotten corrected pretty quickly if they posted that here...

You're right it wasn't anyone here. It was in a Facebook group. At the time I was considering getting species without hairs but everyone was SO PRESSED that they weren't "beginner" species. I was lookin at N. Incei, Psalmos, and H villosella.

I get that they are fast but I'm not worried about it. I have tonnes of experience with small fast creatures. I've had pretty much everything except extremely exotic animals at this point in my life. Eventually though they put me off it so I just went for species I liked the look of that were considered docile and "for beginners".

TBH getting docile pet rock spiders to start seems like the wrong route to go to me. They will make you complacent. Stuff like the Psalmo is what they should make beginners get. Keep you on your toes so you treat them all with the same amount of caution and respect lol.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

You're right it wasn't anyone here. It was in a Facebook group. At the time I was considering getting species without hairs but everyone was SO PRESSED that they weren't "beginner" species. I was lookin at N. Incei, Psalmos, and H villosella.

I get that they are fast but I'm not worried about it. I have tonnes of experience with small fast creatures. I've had pretty much everything except extremely exotic animals at this point in my life. Eventually though they put me off it so I just went for species I liked the look of that were considered docile and "for beginners".

TBH getting docile pet rock spiders to start seems like the wrong route to go to me. They will make you complacent. Stuff like the Psalmo is what they should make beginners get. Keep you on your toes so you treat them all with the same amount of caution and respect lol.

Psalmo aren’t that bad if you already got experience with other fast animals , just they sure can teleport if they get scared but usually retreats to their tube webs. If anything I want an h Mac someday . Mostly smooth sailing .. I got pokies before Psalmo, but they are similar in speed. Don’t have any arboreal right now.

 

[SpookySpooder]

You're right it wasn't anyone here. It was in a Facebook group. At the time I was considering getting species without hairs but everyone was SO PRESSED that they weren't "beginner" species. I was lookin at N. Incei, Psalmos, and H villosella.

I get that they are fast but I'm not worried about it. I have tonnes of experience with small fast creatures. I've had pretty much everything except extremely exotic animals at this point in my life. Eventually though they put me off it so I just went for species I liked the look of that were considered docile and "for beginners".

TBH getting docile pet rock spiders to start seems like the wrong route to go to me. They will make you complacent. Stuff like the Psalmo is what they should make beginners get. Keep you on your toes so you treat them all with the same amount of caution and respect lol.

Facebook ain't good for nothing, but I quit it in 2011 so I have only an inkling of what it's like now based on other people's complaints and memes.

You would think that train of thought about beginner species holds true, but beginners often do stupid things such as try to pet or hold their T's.

You do not want to hold a Poecilotheria or Psalmopoeus. The last thing the hobby needs is a bunch of teenagers buying super fast venomous T's "because they look pretty" and try to pose on TikTok with them. That's why all the newbie recommendations are docile pet rocks.

You read my post so I'll edit it now.

 

[itchyhands]

Today I rehomed the tarantulas I had with hairs to a local collector and got a N. Incei from him.

I think if anyone in the future is reading these threads and they have a lot of concerns about the urticating hairs of new world species they should give them a miss. The Bumba Horrida had extremely tiny UH that easily slipped through the holes and small cracks in a tarantula crib and were just getting all over the place. They weren't extremely irritating like the hairs of other species, but their tiny nature made them far more likely to get all over the house and me. Really ask yourself if you can spend every day feeling like you've got splinters and worrying about them getting in your eyes, nose, or your dogs eyes or nose. For me the T's weren't worth that. For others they are worth it. But it's definitely something to really consider and take seriously.

 

[Wenzer]

Today I rehomed the tarantulas I had with hairs to a local collector and got a N. Incei from him.

I think if anyone in the future is reading these threads and they have a lot of concerns about the urticating hairs of new world species they should give them a miss. The Bumba Horrida had extremely tiny UH that easily slipped through the holes and small cracks in a tarantula crib and were just getting all over the place. They weren't extremely irritating like the hairs of other species, but their tiny nature made them far more likely to get all over the house and me. Really ask yourself if you can spend every day feeling like you've got splinters and worrying about them getting in your eyes, nose, or your dogs eyes or nose. For me the T's weren't worth that. For others they are worth it. But it's definitely something to really consider and take seriously.

I think you made a good choice. I can definitely understand that it is just not worth the hassle for some to keep Ts with hairs they are very sensitive to and I'm glad you are still interested in keeping Ts despite the more limited variety of species you may be able to comfortably care for

I'd say take your time to observe and enjoy your current Ts, get a grasp on your general husbandry routine etc, and if/when you decide to try more, maybe stick with viper's suggestion of old world Ts or new worlds that lack UH. There are some, but they generally are regarded in the same way old world Ts are: they require more respect for the potential speed and their stronger venom.

 

[Odontodactylus]

I had to get rid of my brachy due to hairs, they never bothered me at all, but apparently my mother had a bad reaction to them and I call BS on it.

My compromises to still get to own any were P. irminia and C. versicolor. C. versicolor is pretty, hangs out (the two I got recently are very in the open and webbing a lot, so happy), and in the event I do get my hands in there, they're not likely to choose violence, actually in all my research I never found evidence of them choosing violence. The urticating hairs remain contact only and in the webbing, so it won't be randomly getting everywhere IME. P. irminia is basically an OW arboreal living in NW, it has no hairs and its venom is stronger than the norm for NWs, its not too scary on venom potency but it is still strong and they're very quick/hide a lot.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Today I rehomed the tarantulas I had with hairs to a local collector and got a N. Incei from him.

I think if anyone in the future is reading these threads and they have a lot of concerns about the urticating hairs of new world species they should give them a miss. The Bumba Horrida had extremely tiny UH that easily slipped through the holes and small cracks in a tarantula crib and were just getting all over the place. They weren't extremely irritating like the hairs of other species, but their tiny nature made them far more likely to get all over the house and me. Really ask yourself if you can spend every day feeling like you've got splinters and worrying about them getting in your eyes, nose, or your dogs eyes or nose. For me the T's weren't worth that. For others they are worth it. But it's definitely something to really consider and take seriously.

Yeah I didn’t know much about this new t to expect strong urticating hairs like t blondi but maybe you made the correct choice . I just like my new worlds too much to give them up , I may get more old world in the future don’t have any right now. Ow rock !
Do Bumba Horrida hairs burn bad how would you describe them like 1000 burning needles like nhandu/lasiodora hairs? The after itch is Just as bad as the pain. Did you keep it inn a room with a running ceiling fan ?