The economic downturn may be bad news for most, but not for Dubai's scariest spiders.
Residents in Arabian Ranches are complaining of an infest-ation of poisonous redback spiders, which have taken over unused houses and multiplied to massive numbers.
The Australian natives, closely related to the black widow, are capable of causing extreme pain and sweating but usually only bite if startled.
Ranches resident and expectant mother Louise Dalsgaard said she found about 20 redbacks in her garden.
"They are everywhere in the Ranches," she said. "They are hiding in dark places, under garden chairs and tables, in lamps and in cracks," she said.
Dalsgaard is so concerned that she handed out flyers in her Palmera 3 neighbourhood, warning people to spray their property with insecticide that does not damage the environment.
She has called on property owners Emaar and Dubai Municipality to help in the fight against the spiders.
Neighbour Helena Constant-inou said the creepy crawlies are all over the areas of Palmera and Alvorada. "The spiders are extremely dangerous and are able to kill a child or the elderly, not to mention pets," she said.
Constantinou said that the economic downturn has left empty villas - perfect breeding grounds for the spiders.
"The spiders survive in these homes and spread to the neighbouring area. We need to spray repeatedly as the spiders are able to hold their breath and survive," she said.
A Dubai Municipality spokes-person said it was not responsible for spraying private gardens. Emaar had not responded to 7DAYS enquiries.
An Australian study found just 20 per cent of people bitten by redbacks required any treatment. The study showed that only the larger female bites and most attacks occurs when the victim puts their hand too close to the redback's web.
By Sean O'Driscoll
© 7Days 2009
