By KRYSTEL ROLLE,Guardian Staff Reporter,krystel@nasguard.com

Fears arose that a local Christmas tree importer may have unwittingly imported at least one tarantula into The Bahamas, after a couple allegedly found the poisonous spider wrapped up in their tree.

The couple, who wanted to remain anonymous, sent The Guardian an e-mail yesterday describing how they found the spider.

"We purchased a Christmas tree on Sunday from [one local supplier]. As you know, once selected, [the tree] is wrapped up and [the attendants] put it in your vehicle," the man said.

He said after they arrived home, the tree was assembled and mounted.

"I then proceeded to unwrap the tree. After this [his companion] started picking off the brown leaves, I left to wash my hands, and shortly afterward I heard her scream. She had found a spider, brown leaf, and was not sure if it was dead or alive. As I moved the branch it moved and a ran to get something to catch it," he continued in the e-mail.

The couple later found out that the species of spider was a tarantula.

The supplier who the couple allegedly bought the tree from said he believed that their claim was unfounded.

"I've never had a problem. I've never gotten any complaints. I've been doing this for 25 years. We have a certificate from the suppliers from the states (where the trees are bought). I've never seen anything in these trees. I check the trees myself," he told The Guardian yesterday.

He said the trees were imported from North Carolina and added that before he is allowed to bring the trees into the country he has to get a certificate from the Department of Agriculture in the United States. Additionally, he said once the trees arrive they are inspected by Bahamian officials.

The supplier added that the spider could have come from anywhere as it would not be the first time that that spider was seen in the country.

Tarantulas are usually found across the southern and southwestern regions of the United States. However, there are hundreds of tarantulas in most of the world's tropical, subtropical regions.

While venomous, they are not usually deadly. Pain associated with that of a bee or wasp sting is similar to pain at the site of a tarantula bite.

If you are allergic to tarantula venom, the following symptoms could include:

Breathing difficulties, eye lid puffiness, itchiness, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, skin rash, swelling at the site of the bite and swelling of the lips and throat.

If bitten by the spider, medial officials recommend placing ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. That process should be repeated several times, unless the patient has blood flow problems.

Death as a result of the bite in a normally healthy individual is very rare. It usually takes a person about one week to recover. The venom of tarantulas found in the United States is not considered dangerous but may cause allergic reactions.