Flats are fumigated after deadly spider’s eggs found in bananas
AHIGH-RISE block of flats was fumigated after a young mum found eggs believed to be from a deadly spider in a bunch of bananas.
Kaydee Bota, 20, bought the bananas from Asda and the following day realised they contained clusters of little eggs.
After internet research she believed them to belong to the venomous Brazilian wandering spider and in a panic threw the bananas down the bin chute at Lincoln Towers in Stockport town centre.
When she reported this to the council, environmental health officers ordered her – and her 10-month-old twin boys – to move out of her flat while it was decontaminated.
The bin chute network at the block, which con- tains 120 flats, was closed off for fumigation as was the second floor.
Kaydee has praised the council’s quick actions but says Asda staff told her to stay in her flat and that there was no reason to worry.
The full-time mum, said: “It was awful, apparently the spider has enough poison to kill 225 rats at once. That is terrifying, it was like something out of a horror film.
“With having young babies it is even more scary, thank God they are too young to understand. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, Asda’s attitude is just putting people at risk.”
Kaydee, whose 10- month-old twin boys are called Kai and Kane, bought the bananas from the supermarket on Warren Street.
She expected to be allowed back into her flat last night but says it will be another five days of cleaning because of the fumigation chemicals before she can live there.
The Brazilian wandering spider - native across South America - is among the world’s most venomous. It is also called the banana spider as it uses the fruit to lay eggs in and to shelter while resting.
A council spokesman said: “A resident said she saw what seemed to be a spider web and eggs inside some bananas.
“We sent a pest control team to treat the flat and the bin chute with an insecticide mist, and advised the bin collection service not to empty the bins for a few days.”
An Asda spokesman added: “All our bananas are washed and sprayed before they are transported to the UK and every single fruit is manually checked for quality and stowaways.
“We’d like to apologise to Mrs Bota for any upset this as caused and we’re investigating with our suppliers.”