Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Getting rid of spiders

125 replies

soapboxqueen · 30/08/2021 21:21

Having just had a panic attack due to a fucking mahoosive spider (still shaky and feeling sick), hit me with your spider deterring tricks and tips.

I'm going to do all of them. I can't do this for the next few months.

TIA

OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 30/08/2021 22:30

@longcoffeebreak a not particularly old flat in west London, first floor. But we get more spiders now than when I lived in a semi-rural farmhouse (but then we did have cats)

EmergencyPoncho · 30/08/2021 22:30

Another conked fan! They also hate peppermint, not tried that. I do t wish them any harm just don't want them near me. And the dog is useless.

Brighterblighter · 30/08/2021 22:32

False widows spread like crazy, colonies once they move in.
They destroy indigenous spiders and eat more than the others also taking food.
They also can put humans in hospital.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 30/08/2021 22:32

@Blueemeraldagain

We have those plug in spider deterrent things. I think emits a really high noise? Check it won’t bother your cat! We found a massive spider (first one since we moved in over a year ago) the other day and I freaked out. Once DP had got rid of it I was trying to work out how/why it got in and realised I had accidentally turned both plug sockets off when unplugging my phone charger the day before!
Are you saying the only time you've had spiders is when you accidentally turned the devices off with the phone chargers?
Brighterblighter · 30/08/2021 22:32

Please note : spiders don't hate smells.

The smells are masking the scent of the female.

longcoffeebreak · 30/08/2021 22:34

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@longcoffeebreak a not particularly old flat in west London, first floor. But we get more spiders now than when I lived in a semi-rural farmhouse (but then we did have cats)[/quote]
Wow I was guessing old house country location Confused

SmidgenofaPigeon · 30/08/2021 22:36

The ‘threat’ of false widows is grossly exaggerated. And they do eat a lot- mosquitoes and fruit flies, fine by me. They’re pretty solitary too.

grandmashotdoodlebugs · 30/08/2021 22:39

It's the house.

It's open water pipes, gaps in the walls like sky dish cables, electric box, gas pipe. Floorboards?
Loft hatch with gappy door?

I have every single hole mastick closed.
OR
I use deathlac spray on all doors and windows. Regularly.

The only place I can't do is my kitchen sink. It has an open drain which goes under the decking so I can't access the open pipe.

I get them in the sink. If the sink is dry - they climb out.

Fuckers.

Claymorekick · 30/08/2021 22:42

@longcoffeebreak a normal surburban house on a housing estate that is about 20 years old Confused we always get some in but this summer has been horrific Sad particularly with the spindly corner hanging ones. No idea if it is has just been a freak season for them or if something has changed in the house but I hate it!

Greenrubber · 30/08/2021 22:44

Poor little guy is just looking for some love!

I hate them but I would not kill them!
I use a glass and some card to get rid
If the spider is too big for me then I get my husband to get rid

Timeisavirtue · 30/08/2021 22:45

I just put a glass over it and then slide some thin cardboard under and then take it outside. I refuse to kill spiders...
There was one in my bedroom last night on the ceiling, medium sized one, just left it, I only catch them if the rest of the family see them, they all hate spiders.

Original poster
soapboxqueen · 30/08/2021 22:54

I can just about cope with medium-ish ones by putting them under a glass.

Not the really big ones though.

I still feel sick and shakey.

I've bought peppermint spray, deathlac and a sonic thing.

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 30/08/2021 22:57

DH puts them outside, they come back in. I've learnt to live with skinny ones but the big black hairy fuckers I can't cope with.

PuppyMonkey · 30/08/2021 22:58

If you have a spider phobia, getting so close to a spider as to achieve just “getting a glass and popping a bit of cardboard underneath” is like THE WORST HORROR IMAGINABLE ONLY TEN TIMES WORSE AND THEN A BIT MORE.

It’s an irrational fear, you can’t suggest simple solutions like this.

Next you’ll be telling us the spider is “more scared of you than you are of it.” Ha ha, ha. Ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Aaaaargh.

GreyTV · 30/08/2021 22:59

Sticky spider traps in corners.
Spider spray around door frames and windows.
Any caught ones get instantly bathed in hot water then flushed. No putting them outside to come back in with their friends.
I know I sound evil but I have a proper phobia.

fizbosshoes · 30/08/2021 23:01

If you have a spider phobia, getting so close to a spider as to achieve just “getting a glass and popping a bit of cardboard underneath” is like THE WORST HORROR IMAGINABLE ONLY TEN TIMES WORSE AND THEN A BIT MORE.

This ^^ I know what to do I just cant physically do it. I couldnt be within arms length of it!!

Claymorekick · 30/08/2021 23:01

@PuppyMonkey

If you have a spider phobia, getting so close to a spider as to achieve just “getting a glass and popping a bit of cardboard underneath” is like THE WORST HORROR IMAGINABLE ONLY TEN TIMES WORSE AND THEN A BIT MORE.

It’s an irrational fear, you can’t suggest simple solutions like this.

Next you’ll be telling us the spider is “more scared of you than you are of it.” Ha ha, ha. Ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Aaaaargh.

Exactly what I was thinking! I cannot go near them to put a glass on them, let alone start trying to get some cardboard under them Hmm a phobia is a phobia! Funnily enough i am not remotely bothered by other insects in the house Confused
SmidgenofaPigeon · 30/08/2021 23:03

@GreyTV if I had a phobia of say, butterflies or bees, would it make it ok for me to trap them horribly and put them to death?

Why is it ok to treat something horribly just because it is what it is?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 30/08/2021 23:07

I'm not convinced that conkers works. I have tried them in the corners of rooms and putting them on windowsills but still get spiders.
I decided the best use of conkers is to throw them at the spiders. I'm actually getting quite good at it now and so I'm thinking of taking up darts professionally.

Vanuatu · 30/08/2021 23:21

Honestly it is a real phobia, I can't help it.
Don't want to kill anything but it affects me so badly.
As I said previously an absolute fear of snakes, raccoons, velociraptors does not have any bearing on my life Grin

Original poster
soapboxqueen · 30/08/2021 23:29

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@GreyTV if I had a phobia of say, butterflies or bees, would it make it ok for me to trap them horribly and put them to death?

Why is it ok to treat something horribly just because it is what it is?[/quote]
I agree it isn't fair but I have an absolute phobia and I can't function.

I used to not be able to stand any spider but I've learned to cope with very small one and I can trap and release medium ones (though it takes a lot of effort and psyching myself up)

Big ones I just cannot do

OP posts:
Kihanxxxx · 30/08/2021 23:37

Has anyone else been finding HUGE ones in their house. Basically tarantulas 😭😭😭 it's so scary my skins crawling 24/7

musicalfrog · 30/08/2021 23:54

Please don't use sticky traps as suggested by @GreyTV they are indiscriminate and will cause a nasty death for small mammals as well as insects etc.

Original poster
soapboxqueen · 30/08/2021 23:58

@musicalfrog

Please don't use sticky traps as suggested by *@GreyTV* they are indiscriminate and will cause a nasty death for small mammals as well as insects etc.
There aren't any small mammals in my house so I think it should be fine.
OP posts:
GreyTV · 31/08/2021 00:11

Exactly @soapboxqueenif I had holes big enough to let rats and mice in that’s the least of my problems!

@SmidgenofaPigeon bees and butterflies are outside, not in my house. And I go overboard with trying to help wildlife outside, including the bees.