There is an increased frequency of finding black widow spiders in imported grapes from California. A Winnipeg man has been biten by a Black Widow recently.
www.winnipegfreepress.com
When grapes are harvested, some spiders may camouflage with the grape vines. Grapes are also chilled prior to being transported. The chilling causes spiders to become dormant and immobile, making their way to retailers and consumers' homes.
The presence of spiders does not damage or poison the grapes.
Any spiders should be treated with caution. Consumers are advised to wash their grapes thoroughly by placing them under running warm water. This practice will clean the product of any extraneous matter and likely immobilize any live spiders by washing them off into the sink. If a spider falls into the sink it is recommended that the spider be killed rather than captured.
The Black Widow is considered the most venomous spider in North America. The
poison causes spasms, high fever, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, occasionally death. Treatment has been to relieve pain by narcotics.
In some regions throughout the Midwest, black widows also got into the tomato vines, with the same result.
www.inspection.gc.ca
Ashley
www.winnipegfreepress.com
When grapes are harvested, some spiders may camouflage with the grape vines. Grapes are also chilled prior to being transported. The chilling causes spiders to become dormant and immobile, making their way to retailers and consumers' homes.
The presence of spiders does not damage or poison the grapes.
Any spiders should be treated with caution. Consumers are advised to wash their grapes thoroughly by placing them under running warm water. This practice will clean the product of any extraneous matter and likely immobilize any live spiders by washing them off into the sink. If a spider falls into the sink it is recommended that the spider be killed rather than captured.
The Black Widow is considered the most venomous spider in North America. The
poison causes spasms, high fever, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, occasionally death. Treatment has been to relieve pain by narcotics.
In some regions throughout the Midwest, black widows also got into the tomato vines, with the same result.
www.inspection.gc.ca