Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I have worked bonnaroo the last two years and have never heard any complaints about snakes. However the big problem last year with the drought was fiddle back (recluse) spiders being all over the place. Mostly in the porta potties and under the stages, where morning dew isn't dried up. A couple stage workers got bit and had their hands swell up twice the size. Therefore watch out when going to the bathroom and shake your towel off if you lay it out to dry over night.
Post by thewalmarttree on Feb 24, 2008 21:59:50 GMT -5
One should also keep an eye out for Black Widow Spiders. They will be under trash cans or anywhere that moisture can settle in a dark environment. A bite from either one of these spiders is bad but if I had to chose I would go with the Black Widow bite. The Brown Recluses' venom has an acid like substance that dissolves tissue. I have a friend who works for a local pests control place here in Manchester and he was bitten by one. Not only did it make him very sick it also caused great swelling to his face/head. The venom ate about a 1 inch by 1 inch hole in his face. He is fine now but he lives with this scar to remind him. A Black Widow bite usually isnt fatal unless there are complications or the spider bites a baby or elderly person. They will however make you very sick for days.
Some advice for watching out for these two species of spiders: Check your shoes before you put them on If you help anyone move anything..look where you are gonna put your hands first. Shake out your sleeping bag or covers before you go to bed. Shake out clothes before you put them on. Dark and wet places are where they live so stay away from these place (Under Bleachers)
Post by thewalmarttree on Feb 24, 2008 22:14:10 GMT -5
Also a warning about Yellow Jackets. They nest in the ground. This little insect will fire you up. Be careful where you put your tent. Yellow Jackets nest on the ground in colonies of 500 or more. There nest looks much like a small ant hill with a hole in the top. If someone were to walk over their mound or disturb it in anyway by accidently putting a tent on top of it these Yellow Jackets will attack and sting relentlessly.
Besides having a nest with the one hole on the top there could be several other tunnels that lead back to the surface (escape routes). So just because you cover up their hole doesnt mean they can't get out. Non lit gasoline usually works best as the fumes from the gas kill the Yellow Jackets. Call someone or pour gas on top of their nest do not light it. Then run like hell. The fumes will last much longer and do more damage than a fast burning lit flame that may only kill the tip of the iceberg. In June there will be tons of Yellow Jackets nest out there so just be weary.
I hope this info keeps somone from being stung.
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2008 22:18:57 GMT -5 by thewalmarttree - Back to Top
been to the farm all 6 years now and haven't seen any deadly spiders, snakes or killer catfish. even out in BFE where i peed deep in the wood. but i do realize it is a caution in these parts.
Post by kaleidoscope kristen on Feb 25, 2008 1:10:41 GMT -5
I've lived in the south all of my life too, and I, along with everyone else, is hoping not to be involved in some strange situation with either a catfish, snake, turtle, or spider.
Yeah i think that pond was dried up last year too! so I think the man eating barbing 72 lb catfish has moved or morphed...and on the whole i would venture to say the wildlife are a little more freaked out by 80,000+ hippies and 24 hour music! Thinkin they may be packin they asses up and headin to safer ground...i would
Post by thewalmarttree on Feb 25, 2008 9:01:47 GMT -5
Snapping Turtles, Snakes, Spiders and Stinging Bees will all be at the farm. The likelihood of you having problems with any is low, but they will be there.
Post by thewalmarttree on Feb 25, 2008 12:12:03 GMT -5
Someone should make a protective suit that would prevent even the sharpest catfish barb from penetrating or the most angry swarm of yellow jackets from stinging. The suit would of course have to cover the body completely from haed to toe. I wonder if it would be to hot for June weather in Tennessee? lol
Lord have mercy.....folks that have been going to roo for years know that there is always the danger of coming in contact with one of natures critters, this is the case with just about any camping festival. I have live in TN all my life and we have some of the nastiest snakes, spiders, and creepy crawlies of anyone, but the one anomaly that continues to puzzle me is the lack of any of them at roo.
Mosquitos are hell in our neighborhood, which as we all know is one of the 50 or so house within walking distane of roo :-) , but as soon as that crowd of 80k rolls in, the creepy crawlies tend to make themselves scarce.
I have never had an issue with natures critters at the roo. I doubt very seriously that hardly any roo attendees come in contact with snakes, they are more afraid of us.
Use a little common sense and that should be sufficient to keep you safe. Anyone who is stupid enough to jump into a farm pond in the first place, preety much deserves to get wahtever it gives......Enough with the fear mongering for cripes sake!
pssst, local, your quote is actually compliments of the verve, a 90's britrock band. not to call you out or anything, i actually like the ben harper cover a lot more.
looks like im staying away from any bodies of water this year
Post by jambandjohn on Feb 26, 2008 0:29:52 GMT -5
Except for when you first arrive and start setting up camp I doubt you'll see much in the way of wildlife (other than your neighbors...)
Much like the locals who live near the farm, all the local critters want to get as far away from us as possible. Leave any you might chance upon alone and more than likely they'll do the same ( I once saw a G.I. torment a snapping turtle by kicking on it's shell and the turtle lashed out and bit off the end of his leather combat boot...).