Spider season 😭

[Hardknocks]

I need all your foolproof tips. DH and I both scared of spiders, it’s pathetic. I just found a giant house spider in the bathroom and we both spent half an hour working out how to trap it, it involved a broom because both of us were too scared to go in the room and a very big tub!

I hate them so much, I can handle the smaller ones but the giant ones make me want to cry.

Jesus.

Aw man! It's the way they always lurk and jump out at you! Bastards!

Can I ask those who have done the london zoo thing... do they make you hold them?

FFS 😱😱😱😱

Send them my way. I bloody love spiders. Despite living in the countryside, in an old house and with all windows open all of the time, we hardly see any inside. If we do, they are titchy.

My phobic friend has actually had air conditioning fitted throughout her house so she doesn’t have to open any windows.

There are just so many of us that are seriously anxious about this, I wonder what it is about them that is so inherently terrifying to so many people.

Is it the fact that they look like a hand outstretched upon the wall? Is it the fact that they scuttle?!

I do appreciate that they are a valuable part of the eco system and I always prefer not to kill them but have them taken outside but then how far do they need to be taken?! I’ve been known to request my poor husband to walk down the lane a bit before liberating them 😂

Our house backs on to a huge field and I dread it when I see the tractor harvesting as I just know all the creepy crawlies that were living happily in the field will all come flying to take refuge in our house!

I really feel for you - phobias are awful to live with and no one without them can ever really understand.

My DD has a phobia of dogs but is coming round after hanging out with dogs of her friends. Turns out it manifests in pain; she thinks if they jump up that she'll be scratched and hurt.

What is it that you hate about spiders? Can you find a way to rationalise it? I love them as they are small allies in pest control. Granted I wouldn't like being surprised by one, but it would only be for one moment, and otherwise they just go about their business.

They don't make you do anything. It's incredibly sensitively done and they really understand phobias. I left having held a tarantula and touched a house spider but lots of people were handling the house spiders too. The woman who was the most scared (hysterical crying before entering the hypnotherapy space, let alone the spider enclosure) ended up holding several house spiders, but you go at your own pace 100%. There wasn't one person there who didn't conquer their fear to some extent, even if only to be able to hold one in a glass with a cover which after all is all we need to be able to do.

I used to experience them as 100% malevolent. I perceived them as evil and out to get me. Once I learnt a bit about them (at the friendly spider programme!) it demystified them for me and I no longer see them as persecutors but as small animals that mean me no harm. The 'naming' thing sounds silly but can work as part of that. I used to like spiders when I was a very small child and called them all spid. Now when I see one I say 'hi spid' and have a little chat with them while I'm catching and escorting them out.

Thanks @PeriIsKickingMyButt good to know. Might check it out. Although the whole idea just makes me anxious 😬

My fear of them is so bad I’ve considered doing some sort of program or hypnotherapy. I’ve dumped things in the bin once I get it into my head that it could have a spider in them (a folded up blanket, a tin of change). I’ve moved rooms to sleep, I’ve stayed up overnight, and more than once have looked up hotel rooms nearby!!

My panic gets so bad I can’t speak or function, I freeze completely. I’ve never had a fear like it. I hate being like this and don’t want to be, I don’t find it funny or silly at all. It genuinely impacts my life.

It’s definitely early for them this year, it must be the rain. Usually mid-September and October are the months I dread. My parents house is riddled with them out in the countryside so I genuinely avoid visiting around this time of year, I definitely wouldn’t stay the night.

Do you eat meat ?

I know this isn't directed at me and personally no I don't (in fact am vegan) but I see a difference between killing animals to eat them and killing them because you just don't like the way they look or move. Killing animals is sometimes inevitable, and I kill fleas and flies, and used to trap mice before I got a cat who does it for me. I contribute to animals being killed to provide food for my pets. But kill a spider just because they are a bit creepy? That's spiteful and horrible.

Also had a couple giant black ones in our house this week! I’m terrified of them, they move so fast too. I don’t mind the ones that are pale and just stay still. We have some peppermint oil and are going to spray that around to try and deter them from coming in and I saw a spider spray in Home Bargains although no idea how good that is. The smell is supposed to keep them out of your house.

I am terrified of spiders, too, and live on my own.

I've managed to keep a cellar spider in each downstairs room (and pretend I can't see them), all doors and windows are now shut 24/7.

I hate seeing what looks like a mouse running across the floor, but it's not. Also now terrified about the headlines of a previously endangered spider the size of a rat is thriving in the UK.

Indorex (sp?) is supposed to be good but I can't use it as apparently it's dangerous to pets (I have a turtle).

I’m vegan too and think contributing to animal agriculture is miles worse than killing spiders 🤷‍♀️ at least the spider gets a nice free life before being killed!

Sure, I could have not had my cat and my dog, and wouldn't be contributing to animal agriculture at all, but my cat is an obligate carnivore and isn't a good enough hunter to catch all his own food, and my dog is healthiest when he eats meat. Both animals are rescues and would exist and eat meat whether in my house or someone else's 🤷🏼‍♀️ not a huge amount to be done about that IMO.

Yes - I 💯 agree with this!

Agree. I am terrified of them too but I would never intentionally kill one. I don't understand how people can do this.

I wish I knew why I hate them so much, but I can’t rationalise it. I’m more afraid of spiders than wasps, and I’ve been stung by a hornet! When I was younger I put my dressing gown on and there was a huge one hiding in the arm, that may have traumatised me!

I couldn't get close enough to them to use that

I can spot a spider immediately and when I went to the London Zoo thing about spiders the man told us that people who have a phobia about them do this. My DH on the other hand can't see one with me shouting and pointing at one in front of him.

"I genuinely despise people like you" I hope you are ok @PetrichorSoul as that's a pretty serious thing to say to someone. Perhaps you need some help?

I hate spiders if in my home they die.
The choice of weapon is broom/mop/ shoe/ book/ lighter & spay.

I was bit last night by something that as left me with a small blister and titch.

You see I'd love to be able to confront my phobia like that, but I would be the hysterical crying woman for sure! Even thinking about getting close to a house spider freaks me out!