Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Emma PT on 20/03/2009 09:51:54

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Emma PT on 20/03/2009 09:51:54

Does anyone know if spiders are really repelled by conkers?

This guy has conducted an experiment....

http://www.athelstanscave.com/caveblog/spiders-vs-conkers/

Any thoughts?

Emma

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Don_1 on 20/03/2009 10:13:09

I have read this in other places. Some say it works.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: dentstudent on 20/03/2009 10:14:37

We've also had a thread about this topic....

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=17751.0

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Emma PT on 20/03/2009 18:05:43

Yes, but is there a definitive answer?

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/03/2009 09:02:04

Yes, they are. Categorically. Undeniably. Definitely. Possibly.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Emma PT on 21/03/2009 11:47:01

Laughs! Are you certain?

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/03/2009 11:50:04

I think the answer is: he doesn't know.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: yor_on on 21/03/2009 12:12:25

Spiders are mostly good fellows in my book. A little lazy perhaps? But so am I. And this thing about conkers is new to me, nothing like that in Sweden. Well, we do have them both, but no saying like that. So I will guarantee you Emma that, although Swedish spiders may die of conkers, it will only be so if they are dropped upon them.

Ah, that should read conkers upon spiders, not spiders upon conkers.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/03/2009 12:20:54

Quote from: Emma PT on 20/03/2009 09:51:54

Does anyone know if spiders are really repelled by conkers?

This guy has conducted an experiment....

http://www.athelstanscave.com/caveblog/spiders-vs-conkers/

Any thoughts?

Emma

Looks like a legend to me.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/03/2009 22:30:37

In all seriousness, I believe it to be true. My grandmother said it was so and there are anti-spider sprays that contain conker juice (or whatever it is that comes out of conkers). I have personally been told by users that they are very effective.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/03/2009 22:31:58

Quote from: Chemistry4me on 21/03/2009 11:50:04

I think the answer is: he doesn't know.

How dare you, you young scallywag!  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fangry2%2F11.gif&hash=ef77c6e2d50d42acd17192a634104bfe)

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/03/2009 02:53:20

Blah, calm down old fella.

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: paul.fr on 22/03/2009 07:37:35

"There are also chemosensitive hairs, the tip of the leg contains a series of these hairs the spider uses to taste. "

So maybe it's the taste of conkers, this may also explain why rubbing lemon juice on walls keeps spiders off.

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http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjan00/spileg.html

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Emma PT on 24/03/2009 13:57:55

It seems the jury is still out?  [;)]

Title: Spiders vs Conkers Truth or legend?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 25/03/2009 05:24:51

I don't think the jury was ever in.