NEVER BUY A NOISY CACTUS: A True Story

In the second such incident in the Southwest, a San Diego woman
purchased a large cactus during the redecoration of her home. The
huge cactus was a fitting centerpiece for her "New Southwest" look,
and she was quite happy with her $3,000 purchase -- -- for a while.

A few days later, she noticed that the big cactus seemed to be
swaying ... and humming.

Bewildered and not knowing where else to turn, she dialed 911 and
fortunately for her got an operator who knew what this uncactus-like
behavior meant.  She was told to clear out of the house immediately
- like right now! - and wait for an emergency team.

The responding five man team had just enough time to move the huge
cactus into the back yard before it burst wide open, scattering
about a thousand tarantulas in all directions.  The nursery where
she had purchased the cactus refunded her $3,000 and paid for
exterminator service for the entire block.  

When asked later how her plants were, the lady replied, "Plastic
and silk, thank you!" 

The fashion of using cacti for home decoration is fairly new, but
tarantulas have been using them  for mass breeding farms for a
long, long time.