You may also contact Dr. Cramer at kenc@monm.edu.

How to Mail Spiders:

DISCLAIMER: Monmouth College assumes no responsibility for any injuries sustained by individuals choosing to handle live spiders.

First, Some Don'ts:

1) Do not mail spiders in an envelope or any other container which can be crushed by the postal service sorting machines. Put the spider in a non-crushable container (old pill bottles or film canisters work well) and tightly seal the lid, then put the container in a small box (best) or a padded mailing envelope. Film canister lids tend to pop open so an added seal of duct or shipping tape is advised.

2) Do not mail LIVE spiders.  US Postal Service regulations prohibit mailing live venomous spiders.  Since you cannot be sure of the identity of your spider, you might be mailing a live venomous brown recluse. Therefore, please kill all spiders before mailing. To kill the spider, simply place it in your freezer overnight. Then send the spider in its container as mentioned above.  You can also kill a spider by putting a small amount of rubbing alcohol in the jar. If you use this technique, you should drain all alcohol from the jar before mailing the spider -- preferably remove the dead spider and mail it in a separate container. Dead or dried spiders can also be mailed.  

3) Do not mail alcohol by any mail carrier unless you are a professional entomologist or arachnologist and take all the precautions legally required for mailing flammable liquids.

Now, some Dos:

1) Do LABEL your specimens. Please include the following information for each spider you send:

• County of Collection
• Nearest town, city, or rural address
• Where was the spider captured? Outside, or in a house, room or building type, in a sink, on the floor, on clothing, etc.). Be as specific as possible here.
• Method of collection (sticky trap, squashed, vacuumed, jar, etc.)
• Date of collection
• Your name
• Your complete mailing address including zip code

If you collect many spiders in the same town on the same day, they can all go into one container with only one label. Otherwise each spider should be sent in separate containers. Write the data in pencil as pen ink may run and become illegible. 

2) For quick response, provide an e-mail address. Spiders will be identified to family as soon as possible and you will receive a note via e-mail or postal service telling you the identity of your spider(s).

Capture and Mailing Methods:

1) Capture by Hand.This is the best way to trap and send spiders so they can be accurately identified.  Spiders can be safely caught by hand by placing an open jar over the spider.  Slide a piece of paper under the jar and spider, then invert the jar and tap the spider to the bottom of the jar.   Quickly remove the paper and seal with the lid.  (See instructions for killing above)

1) Sticky Traps for Capturing and Sending Spiders.  A good choice for sticky traps are "Monitoring Glueboards" available at http://www.bugsaway.com/glueboard.htm for 25 cents each. Other traps will do, just avoid those that have a high lip or edge that would impede a spider from strolling into it. The best placement of traps is flat on the floor against a wall or other object.  Recluses tend to prefer clutter (like in your garage or basement) and relatively undisturbed or infrequently used areas. Leave the traps out for several days or even weeks, and place two or three per room for maximum control. Many traps have space to write information on them -- you can put your collecting information there. Be sure when you pick up the traps not to touch the spiders. They can survive for days or weeks on a trap, and although immobilized by the glue, they may be quite alive and capable of biting. When the traps are full of bugs or have some spiders on them, you can then place them a box, padded to protect the specimens during shipment, and mail them to me. 

3) Labeling the Package. Put the complete address of Dr. Cramer on the outside of the package as well as your return address.  On one side of the package, write in large capital letters, BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN, NOT OF COMMERCIAL VALUE.