Spiders

But then you might end up with a mice infestation like I did (they LOVE conkers apparently)

They'd have eaten the clothes moths long before their babies got to your expensive Alpaca wool if you weren't acting like (quoting your own words here) such a total arsehole and killing them.

The amount of systemic nerve poisons, pyrethrins, pyrethroids and neonictotinates being sprayed around people, pets and the environment is doing so much damage. And all because a little spider isn't aesthetically pleasing to a subset of humans.

Yeah, they can make me jump and yes, of course I've squawked when there's one on my shoulder. I also won't pick them up because I'm scared that I might hurt them - the glass and card is for their safety, not mine. But they are exquisitely beautiful, infinitely varied, superbly adapted to particular environments, are responsible for some of the most amazing structures with their silk and keep other actually harmful just by existing insects at bay.

😆 🤣 love the commentary!

I can’t believe I nearly missed this thread! Thank you @Dangermoo. *clears throat…

Creepy eight-legged bastards, jumping out from behind bookshelves just when you’re relaxing at night or lurking in a darkened room, just ready to give you a jump scare.

We’ve had three big bastards in here the last week.

When the first one appeared I jumped off the sofa vertically and hurdled the footstool, displaying an athleticism not seen since school sports day 30+ years ago. I actually think I may have temporarily levitated.

The last one caused a panic as it seemed to be marching determinedly towards our dog’s arsehole. As both are black and hairy, I had terrible visions of what might ensue so I shouted quite a lot of enthusiastic encouragement to DP from the safe confines of the hall. DP definitely appreciated my helpful shrieking.

We are renovating so have lots of boxes still to unpack. They have been undisturbed for around 18 months. I’m actually dreading what might be in there. I opened one box last week and found clothes moths eating my alpaca wool stash. I swear if there are spiders amongst my personal possessions I won’t be held responsible for my actions.

OP, I have roped in strangers, neighbours, and family to deal with spiders for me. I don’t even like the emoji that pops up when you type the word. There is no shame in finding a brave soul to help you.

I don’t like killing spiders either but as per my username, if they didn’t act like such total arseholes, people might be able to cope better.

Blame the spiders. It’s their fault entirely. There are no other creatures that sneak out and randomly make a beeline for wherever you are with the sole intent of scaring you, That’s definitely what spiders do. Shitheads.

Some scientists think that evolved from a fear of scorpions. In any case, it’s not logical because it’s not something that someone decides, or that is necessarily based on experience - it’s inborn.

Fear of spiders isn’t something that’s simply learned from a bad experience (like being savaged by a squirrel), it’s evolutionary, which means it’s innate for a lot of people. Studies have shown that even babies can show a stress response to spiders.

Also, there’s no point in putting a house spider outside. They can’t survive outside. It will either manage to get back in, or it will die a slow death. It’s probably kinder to hit it with a shoe.

Ant Powder also kills spiders just fyi

😆 even the name spider is ugly!

Oh yes the dark colour. Small head with those legs. I walked into my lounge, yesterday and spotted a big one clinging onto the wall. Of course, you naturally scream. I had to call my friend over to take it out. He put a glass over it and let it out. They make me heave. I found two massive ones in my kitchen sink on separate occasions, when I lifted the bowl out of sink 🤢 I've put sellotape over the vent holes 😆 🤣 and pour vinegar now around under plug to deter them. I do get fed up of said friend saying "they won't hurt you". I bloody know that but it's just the look of them and how they quickly scuttle along the floor x

It is flea spray but it works on spiders too! I remember flea spraying the house with it years ago when my cat had fleas i moved the sofa a few weeks later to hoover and there was a huge spider corpse in the middle 🤢

Am I the only one that's got raging spider 🕷️ 🕸️ paranoia now ? 🙈

Ps I really want to pop for a quick vape before I sleep , but this thread has put me off getting out of bed in case I encounter a spider 🕷️ 🕸️ 😬

They do seem to be coming out from under the floor boards but I have 2 cats that make short work of them unless I'm quick enough catch them first and 'humanely throw them out the window' 😳. Cats are definitely the solution if you can have pets.

I don't have a phobia but hate how they just appear from nowhere and run across the floor at 100mph.

I'm on it and can confirm it is helpful to some degree. I can't lie and say it's cured my phobia though 😬

Good luck 🍀 with the catcher! Worth a shot.

Yes you're right they are incredibly 'ugly' unfortunately, coupled with darkness and speed.

If they were 'hot pink ' I don't think the fear would be anywhere near as intense. There is something about the dark colour of them that amplifies it. I think it just adds to the creepiness/sinister look.

I love how pp are mentioning cellar spiders! Probably about to jinx myself but I haven't seen any other spider in here since I started leaving them be (I'm talking actual years since seeing a giant house spider!)
I hate the thought of people killing them, though I do get it. I have my windows open all day everyday, cellar spiders are the best pest control for everything!

Also, there's an amazing group on Facebook... Can't recall the name and not on it anymore but... British Spider Identification Group... It's something like that. That group has helped alot of people learn more about spiders and helped to calm people that have phobias of them. Joining won't keep spiders out of your house obviously but... You'll soon learn the actual names of the ones evicting you from your own home 😁

I thought the poster @spidersareshitheads would make an appearance on the thread 😆 🤣

You've just perfectly described why they scare me. It's not that we know they are going to hurt us, but it's really how ugly they are. I've ordered an Amazon spider catcher today. I just hope I'm going to have the guts to use it.

My mum uses Zero spray around the door and window frames and says it works. I came home from 10 days away recently to find lots of really big ones in the laundry room. Two in the washing machine (!) which I managed to safely get out with a long duster, one in the sink and another scuttling along the floor.

I have always felt bad for being so scared of them solely because of their appearance and I know it's my problem, but the idea that they run to us for protection is both heartbreaking and terrifying.

That's the definition of design flaw.

Seen a long legs spider wrap up a chunky with its web, holding the chunky away from its body. Once bound, the long legs moved in for a bite.
Also, I vacuum spiders and never had one survive or jump out. They suffocate in the dusty bag if they aren't ripped apart by the vacuuming. It is me or them.

The problem you're having is you're trying to rationalise something us phobics are aware is irrational.

you wouldn't ask someone with OCD why they keep tapping the door 7 times before they go out because it won't have any effect on whether their children die ?

I'm not critisising your question by the way. But attempting to explain. You can't rationalise the irrational.

To be fair, I'm utterly perplexed that anyone can look at a big black spider and not feel any visceral reaction.

My husband isn't phobic and he's totally at one with creepy crawlies and other insects and animals. But even he admits he feels a bit creeped out when they are in his hand when he's getting them out. I know he doesn't particularly 'like' them. And thats a non phobic person.

Also, if you can bear it, watch this cartoon, Simons Cat. It makes me cringe and laugh at the same time! It's just a black and white line animation

I think it’s the way the big ones move and scuttle across your hand unexpectedly. Also horrible if you walk through a web and get one ON YOUR FACE 😱😱

Other than those 2 scenarios I reckon they’re ok. I had a false widow on my ceiling for months who did no harm. I called him Maurice.

The vary nature of phobias is that they're irrational. its different to a fear.

This is what I can tell you about my (irrational) phobia of particular spiders :

-an excessive of legs mixed with speed
-coupled with unpredictability (in their movements)
-the way their bodies are on the floor and their legs raised off the ground (house spiders) looks menacing and aggressive
-the dark colour of them looks menacing/spooky
-the "suprise" element. They just appear by open doors, on ceilings, on skirting boards, above your head with no prior warning
-its a very real visceral 'repulsion/disgust/terror' it's an autonomic response that I literally have very very little control of.

Just to add : I am not scared they'll hurt me. It's not about coming to harm from them. It's a total misconception that it's rooted in fear of being harmed.