Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

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

Spider panic

12 replies

Cinai · 26/08/2023 12:42

Ok I’m a bit embarrassed but I just can’t deal with spiders. Never really could but it gets worse. Yesterday one of the size of a small mouse casually walked into my bedroom and I lost it. Although DH killed it (sorry - I usually escort insects with fewer legs safely outside) I couldn’t sleep all night because I kept waiting for the feeling of little legs crawling up on me. Today is not much better, I tiptoe around the house, keep looking at the floor and in each corner and I’m unable to sit down on the sofa and relax because I keep thinking that the next spider might come out any second.
I realise that this behaviour is not normal and that I need to get a grip. Did anyone manage to overcome a severe spider phobia? Any coping strategies you can share? And in the meantime, how can I spider proof my house?

OP posts:
Blueglazzier · 26/08/2023 12:50

I feel for you . I live alone so have to deal with the horrors alone . I keep a spider catcher on the landing and a feather duster , if you tickle them they curl up and catch in the feathers then you can chuck them out the window . Also a fail safe way is thoroughly wet a piece of kitchen towel , drop onto spider, it curls up as they hate getting wet . I'm paranoid I scan my bedroom walls each night and tuck the curtains up onto window ledge when window open .

Lellochip · 26/08/2023 12:58

I post this so often in spider threads that people must think I work on commission for ZSL but their spider phobia sessions at London zoo is fantastic! I was a sweaty hoover-wielding mess if I saw one before, now can quite happily catch and put outside, even the big uns

DustyLee123 · 26/08/2023 12:58

Conkers on your windowsills

Jackiebrambles · 26/08/2023 13:04

I feel you, there are some absolutely massive buggers around at the moment. The huge one DH found last night meant I am now on high alert!

AussieBlue · 26/08/2023 13:05

Re: the phobia....It's the same in Aus, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I know people who are more scared of UK spiders than of tarantulas in jungles too.

I'm also scared of them. I also feel heart fluttery panic in the UK when I see one. One landed on my arm a few weeks ago, I screamed and couldn't go back into that room for ages.

Thankfully the cat catches them. They are huge this year.

Cinai · 26/08/2023 13:05

Oh good idea to arm myself @Blueglazzier

Can you tell me more about the London Zoo spider phobia sessions @Lellochip ? Sounds great but I’m just not sure whether I can actually get myself to be close to a spider and I fear that this would be part of such sessions?

OP posts:
InterFactual · 26/08/2023 13:28

Spider killing spray is the best way to disarm them. Gets them wet enough to safely grab with these spider catcher devices.

I've made a pact with the very light thin daddy long legs spiders. They eat the fat house spiders and I allow them to live on my ceiling corners in return.

Speedweed · 26/08/2023 14:01

Seconding ZSL session - amazing!
Also get some lakeland spider catchers.
Keep floors as clear as possible and vacuum often - if they have nowhere to hide and their webs are disturbed they move on.

Lellochip · 26/08/2023 14:18

Cinai · 26/08/2023 13:05

Oh good idea to arm myself @Blueglazzier

Can you tell me more about the London Zoo spider phobia sessions @Lellochip ? Sounds great but I’m just not sure whether I can actually get myself to be close to a spider and I fear that this would be part of such sessions?

Sure, it's broken up into 2 parts, the first you're in a lecture room, not in the main zoo, no spiders! There's normally around 40 people, they encouraged us to sit with strangers so you end up with one or two new buddies you bond with 😄

There's a therapist who talks a bit in general about phobias and the psychology of how they work etc. Then talks a bit about spider phobias in particular, gets people to talk about what they don't like about them, even the illogical ideas like they know you're afraid and still they run at you etc. Explains why phobic people see spiders more often (because you're on alert constantly)

Then a spider expert comes and talks about all the wonderful things spiders do, how important they are to the ecosystem, and how they're actually super fascinating and mainly harmless. You sit and scoff/mutter with your new buddies.

Next is a relaxation/visualisation hypnosis session, which is perfectly pleasant, after which you scoff with your buddy some more, asking 'do you fell any different?' 'No, you?'

Then you go to the bug house, like walking to the gallows and somehow you just go along with it when they show you spiders in their enclosures. Even the open air bit that has orb weavers just chilling above you. Then there's various sealed boxes of different sized house spiders you can hold to look at, and one open one you can put your hand in. THESE ARE VOLUNTARY!

To 'pass' the course they release one on a table, and you put a cup over it and slide card underneath, you don't ever have to touch one. (There's also normally a bonus tarantula to hold IF you want)

At no point do you feel like anything specific has 'cured' you, but you can just somehow get on with it. All but 1 person on my day could catch the spider, and there were some really phobic people. The staff were all great and you could literally leave at any point if you needed

Blueglazzier · 26/08/2023 15:18

Lellochip , oh I would go on this course but I live to far away. I constantly see spiders because of my paranoia.

Cinia , best wishes . Be prepared , get your spider catchers , feather duster and wet kitchen roll handy, or go on the course. I would

AussieBlue · 26/08/2023 16:43

Just read that Aussies in the UK use Indorex to "spray" their UK houses and keep spiders out.

Cinai · 26/08/2023 16:44

Thank you @Lellochip I’ll definitely look it up! Whether I can catch one depends on the size I think 😅And I don’t think I can go into this part at London Zoo where spiders are roaming free. DH went in there last time we visited and when he came out again, I didn’t want him anywhere near me in case one is on him 😂🙈

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page