Black widows in Bremerhaven: port area cordoned off!

Black widows in Bremerhaven: port area cordoned off!

An uninvited guest is causing a stir in Bremerhaven: two copies of the dreaded oneBlack Widowwere recently spotted at the car terminal. Although the employees are not in danger, the port operator BLG reacted quickly to the discovery. A large area has been cordoned off and work on site has been suspended while authorities carry out a detailed assessment of the situation. According to butenunbinnen.de, the spiders are under material that is used to fasten the containers.

This encounter is not uncommon, as black widows were discovered on another ship in Bremerhaven last year, which meant that the affected ship “Arc Commitment” had to stay in port for two months to be cleaned by pest controllers. The port of Bremerhaven is therefore apparently well equipped to combat this type of spider, even if such relapses can occur again and again. Coordination with the responsible authorities is ongoing to clarify the situation as quickly as possible.

Sharp beaks and dangerous poison

Local people may have heard of this special species of spider known asLatrodectus tredecimguttatusis known. The European Black Widow, also known as the Mediterranean Black Widow, is conveniently native to the warmer regions, from southern Europe to North Africa. It impresses with its distinctive black-red color and can grow up to 15 millimeters in size. These spiders like to live in dry areas, such as wastelands and grasslands, and often hide among stones, as tierwissen.net reports.

Despite their devilish appearance, these spiders are generally not aggressive. However, they can cause serious problems to people. Their venom is strong, which is why only about five out of a thousand bites are fatal. Symptoms that can occur after a bite are similar to a wasp sting and include severe pain, swelling and, in rare cases, even high blood pressure. Anyone who has the pleasure of encountering one of these spiders outdoors should therefore be careful.

The operation in the port

Back to the Bremerhaven harbor: The fact that such spiders appear from time to time underlines the need for good preparation and a well-thought-out elimination plan. The port is an important location for freight transport and therefore also for the region's economy, so a quick solution without major delays is always in the interest of everyone involved. The current security precautions underline that the port operator BLG has a good hand in handling such unexpected situations.

In the coming days, authorities are expected to take further measures to eliminate the spiders to ensure that both employees and ships can carry out their work undisturbed. As one of the most poisonous spiders in Europe, one can only hope that there are no further sightings.