T-escapee

[Amarria]

Hello everyone, Im in kind of a pickle here and need advice from more experienced keepers. About 2 days ago I found my P.rufilata taking a walk and once I processed it, I decided to check every other homemade enclosure of the same type if all is ok. It was not. My Ch.fimbriatus is missing and I have no idea for how long. Now, i have a room with plenty nooks and cranies it could hide in but after 5 hours of moving stuff and vacuuming and dusting and taking everything apart... The T Is not there. I tried to look for dark spots of any height since there is not many dark and moist spots, but nothing. The issue is that I sleep with my window wide open so it could wonder anywhere during night... And as I have, or better - had, a good relationship with landlord, I had my doors open during day so it could venture further into house too. Hence I checked the whole floor too since there are plants it could consider as "moist". No trace of the T.
I did put out wet fabric pieces to lure it out and I do plan to make "traps" from boxes with wet fabric to offer a dark moist spot to hide in. My main issue is that i also own a cat and a medium sized dog that share my space and I sadly can't watch them 24/7, especially when Im asleep (if you can call it that, I was up every 30 minutes checking the wet fabric). The T was not adult, his abdomen+booty was like 3cm so not a sling either. How worried/concerned should I be and what else can I do or where should I look?
Thank you!

 

[ladyratri]

First thing I would do is post photos of all your enclosures and get feedback on their security to avoid any other escapes.

Second thing I'd do is search this forum, as there are numerous posts on this topic, many including descriptions of where the escaped T was found.

You might get additional responses to this post, but you'll get more information and faster by searching and reviewing all the past ones.

Good luck.

 

[Amarria]

First thing I would do is post photos of all your enclosures and get feedback on their security to avoid any other escapes.

Second thing I'd do is search this forum, as there are numerous posts on this topic, many including descriptions of where the escaped T was found.

You might get additional responses to this post, but you'll get more information and faster by searching and reviewing all the past ones.

Good luck.

Browsing this forum and Reddit r/tarantula was the first thing Ive done after not finding the T. Its also how I found out about the T-trap-boxes. Sadly most of the experiences are that the T miraculously appeared in the middle of the room, on the wall or whenever in direct sight - which so far havent happen to me. Given that i have a dog and a cat, Im not sure I want to wait for the T to make a willing comeback ... Not that Id be afraid for the T to be killed by them, I just dont want anyone get bitten since there is not much about pets being bitten by a T.

 

[darkness975]

Why would you vacuum? You'll kill it if it gets sucked in.

There isn't much you can do other than check around at night with a red light.

 

[Stu Macher]

I've read on here that people have had success with placing a water dish on the floor. They either catch their T red handed getting a drink or find them in close proximity to the dish. Also having some fake silk floor plants inside your T room may be an even better insurance policy in the future. Then add a dish at the base of the floor plant or inside to take it a step further.

But this sounds really unfortunate. I wouldn't want my rufilata missing. Any of my Poeciletheria for that matter.

What type of enclosure are you using?

 

[Amarria]

Hey, Im not missing rufilata (found it hence why I discovered the other is missing after checking other similar enclosures), Im missing fimbriatus. They both were in a jar-like enclosures with mesh lid. They tore the mesh, it was probably too fine for them as I had them in for about a year now and they both grew significantly from small slings. I already secured other Ts in similar enclosures and retired the lids for as long as I figure out how to replace it with something more sturdy.

Why would you vacuum? You'll kill it if it gets sucked in.

There isn't much you can do other than check around at night with a red light.

That Is true and I have no good answer for that. I just didn't want my dog to encounter the T so I did what made sense to me at 1am after 4 hours of looking and dismantling furniture.

 

[Stu Macher]

Hey, Im not missing rufilata (found it hence why I discovered the other is missing after checking other similar enclosures), Im missing fimbriatus. They both were in a jar-like enclosures with mesh lid. They tore the mesh, it was probably too fine for them as I had them in for about a year now and they both grew significantly from small slings. I already secured other Ts in similar enclosures and retired the lids for as long as I figure out how to replace it with something more sturdy.

Sorry, that's my 3rd shift brain for you lol

 

[viper69]

Dump the crappy setups you are using.
Finding a T- good luck

 

[darkness975]

That Is true and I have no good answer for that. I just didn't want my dog to encounter the T so I did what made sense to me at 1am after 4 hours of looking and dismantling furniture.

If your dog encountered the tarantula it would be the end of the spider, not the dog.

 

[Amarria]

If your dog encountered the tarantula it would be the end of the spider, not the dog.

Thank you, thats helping. My dog is kinda skittish and doesnt like Ts as much as I do so I was a little worried what could happen is, lets say, the T accidentally moved on the dogs coat during night and the dog would squeeze it with her nose. Perhaps Im overthinking. My cat is a champ tho, Im sure the T would better run as fast as it can to not meet him, but my dog was worrying me.

 

[viper69]

Thank you, thats helping. My dog is kinda skittish and doesnt like Ts as much as I do so I was a little worried what could happen is, lets say, the T accidentally moved on the dogs coat during night and the dog would squeeze it with her nose. Perhaps Im overthinking. My cat is a champ tho, Im sure the T would better run as fast as it can to not meet him, but my dog was worrying me.

Cats are known predators- so many "my cat killed T" posts here, despite many us telling people how to minimize it, they don't, T dies, oh well they should have listened.

 

[Brewser]

A Quiet Night Search with Minimal Light. "walk softly and carry a dim flashlight" may help locate escapee.

Definitely time for enclosure upgrades.

 

[viper69]

A Quiet Night Search with Minimal Light. "walk softly and carry a dim flashlight" may help locate escapee.

Definitely time for enclosure upgrades.

I'd use a red flashlight.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hey, Im not missing rufilata (found it hence why I discovered the other is missing after checking other similar enclosures), Im missing fimbriatus. They both were in a jar-like enclosures with mesh lid. They tore the mesh, it was probably too fine for them as I had them in for about a year now and they both grew significantly from small slings. I already secured other Ts in similar enclosures and retired the lids for as long as I figure out how to replace it with something more sturdy.

Never vaccum with a loose t , they will get shredded. Make the cages secure before hand, not after an escape happens. I use a flashlight to find loose Ts. Mesh can be chewed up… it’s bad for lids.

 

[Dorifto]

I'd start looking at the pillows, after them take a look at any warm and humid spot, I don't mean anatomically.

 

[viper69]

I'd start looking at the pillows, after them take a look at any warm and humid spot, I don't mean anatomically.

Hahahahaah

 

[TheraMygale]

I doubt you need to hear this, but you need to worry about escaping before they actualy do.

i have an air blowing system for heating. If any if my p murinus escape, i am never finding them. They will kill me in my sleep. Litteraly.

you can make traps. But with all the “opened” doors, its fifty fifty.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

On ceiling on wall , we’re does a spider climb ? Hidden behind furniture, and under random things , try not to squish him.

 

[Stu Macher]

I doubt you need to hear this, but you need to worry about escaping before they actualy do.

i have an air blowing system for heating. If any if my p murinus escape, i am never finding them. They will kill me in my sleep. Litteraly.

you can make traps. But with all the “opened” doors, its fifty fifty.

All of my T's are in my bedroom lol This girl is right across from my bed. It's necessary that I have OCD with locking cages and minimizing escapes. So far, I've only had positive experiences. But, OW's are like firearms in some respects. Not everybody should have them. One will kill you, the other make you wish you were dead. And you need to keep both locked up. The moment you let your guard down is the moment your kid finds his way into the safe.

 

[TheraMygale]

All of my T's are in my bedroom lol This girl is right across from my bed. It's necessary that I have OCD with locking cages and minimizing escapes. So far, I've only had positive experiences. But, OW's are like firearms in some respects. Not everybody should have them. One will kill you, the other make you wish you were dead. And you need to keep both locked up. The moment you let your guard down is the moment your kid finds his way into the safe.

Yeah, no. I couldnt have them in my bedroom. Not only is it to close for comfort in my bounderies, but the possible allergies is still looming.

i like them in the living room hahaha.