From an email this morning:
Yesterday we found a white-tailed spider on level 6 and a female red-back spider on level 2. It is possible these spiders are seeking refuge from the redevelopment outside. Both these spiders can give nasty bites, especially the red-back which is potentially lethal (and, in my experience, where there are females, there are usually egg-sacks).
While we were able to catch the one on level 6, the one on level 2 escaped, so be aware. (Probably as good a reason as any to be wearing closed shoes.)
I’ll just let all you arachnophobes run away screaming, now.
Whew! I thought we had it bad with (wild) mice in the lab. At least mice don’t bite… and don’t have external egg sacks. Blech. Be careful!
I’d be on the first plane back to Blighty myself. At least in Canada we only have to worry about bears and cougars. They’re big enough that you can usually see them coming.