David,

Thanks for your message.  What I have been told by several entomologists and knowledgeable pest control specialists is that spiders are far less susceptible to pest control chemicals than other invertebrate pests, and that the presence or absence of spiders is a good indication of whether or not you have suitable habitat for them (particularly food).  But I am not a spider expert.

 

--John



	-----Original Message----- 

	From: David Ryan [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 

	Sent: Wed 1/5/2005 9:20 AM 

	To: [log in to unmask]; Simmons, John E 

	Cc: 

	Subject: Re: Pest Infestation

	

	



	Dear John,

	I agree with every point that you are making regarding integrated pest

	management and not indiscriminately using general pesticides, but I have

	heard quite the opposite about spiders.  I have been told that they are

	the most sensitive creatures to pesticides and will be killed first.  I

	have also heard that they are "canary in the coal mine" indicators and

	that if you have no spiders you probably have some residual pesticides in

	the environment.  Am I misinformed?

	Sincerely,

	David Ryan

	Registrar

	Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

	www.cspm.org