Right i've got a red knee when i got it it was about the size of your little finger nail it's about the size of a 50p now, when i try and do anything near it, fill water bowl or move to bigger home like last night it flicks hairs like mad i know there not good, but i'd like to know how long they stay in the air and should i get like a little paper mask for when i have to do anything or am i being well ott.

Nah.. all my 5 smithi's do it. When they're younger they're very skitty. Jump about all over the place. The worst they'll do is make you itch. You can normally see the hairs. After a few seconds it'll be gone anyway.. i know i don't tend to worry about it? I've kept spiders for about 18 months now and i've only been got by hairs once!

Isn't it very bad if you breath them in?

I think unless you stick your face right down there and take a deep breath you'll be alright. Just keep your face well back and maybe hold your breath
That or pop a tub over it before you do anything.

I've had my smithi 9 years, since she was a little mite, and she still flicks hairs.

This might sound a little bizarre, but you can stop that bahaiour if you are willing to use a gentlye touch.

Charlotte, my curlyhair is very, very docile. However, there are times where shes in a bad mood etc, and if I have to move her to transport her, she can sometimes kick hairs. Rather than let her create a bald spot on herself, I simply stop her kicking (very gently).

When she starts to kick hairs, gently put your finger on her abdomen, in the place of where the leg is stroking - she'll stop. Dont touch the leg, just form a barrier, and of course get any neccessary stress out the way (such as picking her up, or watering etc).

I'm sure some poeple will read this and gasp, but it stops a skittish tarantula becoming bald. I hardly ever do this, but it does save a bunch of hairs floating around, and I think the tarantula gets the hint more often than not, and tends to avoid kicking hairs. I also think this tends to work on Charlotte as she is super docile, and quite content at me poking around in the viv, as long as its not her.

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Brachypelma albopilosum (Charlotte)
B. Schroederi (slings)
Grammostola sp. "North" Northern gold
G. aurerostriata (slings)
Cyclosternum fasciatum (slings)

Member of the BAS and AAS.

If my Goliath starts kicking hairs, it's time to run. I turn into the elephant man, I swear lol

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0.1.0 Goliath
0.0.1 Crestie
1.1.0 Blizzard Leos
1.1.0 Balls

Yeah, I dont think id try to stop a Goliath. Same goes for any of the aggressive ones. I doubt i'd try such a tactic on a cobalt blue or baboon...the result would be catastrophic

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Brachypelma albopilosum (Charlotte)
B. Schroederi (slings)
Grammostola sp. "North" Northern gold
G. aurerostriata (slings)
Cyclosternum fasciatum (slings)

Member of the BAS and AAS.

Seriously tho, 'rash' doesn't come close to the lumps I get, and it itches like MAD, for days.

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0.1.0 Goliath
0.0.1 Crestie
1.1.0 Blizzard Leos
1.1.0 Balls

allergic?

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Thought i was being ott i'll just keep back.