More news has surfaced regarding the venomous Redback spiders. It was revealed that since 2007, Fukuoka City has been exterminating thousands of redback spiders from Australia. The venomous spiders have recently established colonies across Japan, especially Western Japan, after apparently being brought in on cargo containers. In the past four years alone, 8,201 fully-grown redback spiders and 3,161 spawns were exterminated on Island City (Higashi-ku) and Central Park in Fukuoka, and sightings have been reported in Sawara-ku and Hakata-ku. News of the exterminations were not announced to the public, a City representative said “we did not announce it because we did not want to scare people unnecessarily.” Redback spiders are not aggressive, however the female spider has a virulent poison that can cause spasms and fever. In September, a spider bit a woman in her 80s from the Higashi Ward. She suffered breathing difficulties, but was administered an anti venom. Fukuoka City warns all citizens to “Be vigilant. Redback spiders may be found anywhere in Fukuoka, not only in Island City…” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 10/18
