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Original poster

I know it's only a spider but...

38 replies

OfCourseItsMe · 04/09/2024 22:14

It's getting to a point where I dread going to bed. I'm heading up soon and I'll have to search all around my room to see if it's clear. Then I'll lie in bed and check again every few minutes until I fall asleep.

I've had enough of it now.

OP posts:
BibbityBobbityToo · 05/09/2024 00:21

Everyone even slightly bothered about spiders just needs a couple of youngish cats then problem solved.

I had my first giant size arachnid of the Autumn season arrive last week and he seems to have invited all his mates round too. Depending on who/what is quickest, they are either deposited back outside via an empty 300g Nescafe jar or left rather legless courtesy of a furry beast.

JuvenileBigfoot · 05/09/2024 00:35

BibbityBobbityToo · 05/09/2024 00:21

Everyone even slightly bothered about spiders just needs a couple of youngish cats then problem solved.

I had my first giant size arachnid of the Autumn season arrive last week and he seems to have invited all his mates round too. Depending on who/what is quickest, they are either deposited back outside via an empty 300g Nescafe jar or left rather legless courtesy of a furry beast.

I agree. I've barely seen a spider since I got my cat in 2016. She's 10ish now but still a top spider/daddy longlegs/fly catch her. I just see her pounce and then walk off munching and I assume she's saved me from a spider.

Annoyingly even though she's happy to eat bugs, she insists in a specific brand of expensive cat food and won't eat anything else. But flies are fine apparently.

Original poster
OfCourseItsMe · 05/09/2024 07:07

Im actually ok with the smaller ones. It's the giant house spiders I just can't deal with. The way they appear out of nowhere. Either running fast or just sprawled out on the wall. Eek!

I have a few cellar spiders in my house currently, in the hope they will deter the bigger ones. I'm skeptical about it as I'm still getting the biggies.

OP posts:
Anniepiee · 05/09/2024 07:20

I am the same... absolutely terrified which also led to my DS being terrified which I feel awful about but I just can not pretend I'm not scared

I dread coming back from holiday and have to check the house from top to bottom for them

Every mark on a wall, no matter where I am, I jump

I've looked at courses but the websites show spiders and then I can't look no more and give up 😂

Rollorock · 05/09/2024 07:49

I dread coming back from holiday and have to check the house from top to bottom for them

ugh new fear unlocked 😐 Hadn’t even thought of this. I’m going away for 3 weeks in October. I was away for 2 weeks later year but that was in April so not so close to spider season.

Crinkle77 · 05/09/2024 08:33

I'm exactly the same as you OP. Been terrified and anxious for weeks now. I've got myself a bug catcher so hoping that will help. It's like a little mini hoover but I'm not convinced it's strong enough to suck up one of them big fuckers. I can tolerate other spiders and allow those cellar spiders to live in my bedroom cos they eat the big ones.

Clownwithafrown · 05/09/2024 08:54

I've actually conquered my fear of spiders, started naming the ones we found in the house when DD was little (so I didn't pass the fear on to her) and that, plus reading up about them (they're fascinating!) seems to have done the trick. Still absolutely terrified of wasps though so this time of year is equally hellish for me, thought I'd cracked it this year with one of those fake wasp nests in the garden but it appears they only work for the early part of the season. The fuckers are everywhere again now and every time the door is opened (elderly dog who needs to pee a lot) I do the whole hyper vigilant thing and get myself in a state in case one gets in Blush

ObieJoyful · 05/09/2024 08:57

GoneIsAnotherSummersDay · 04/09/2024 22:59

When I reached an all time low with my (very real) spider phobia I manage to conquer it by forcing myself to stand next to small spiders and really look at them/watch them, then gradually moved onto bigger spiders. If you can make yourself stand there for a few minutes eventually your heart rate returns to normal and you can start to break down the connection your brain has made between spiders and stress response. I know you'll assume my phobia wasn't as bad as yours if I could get over it but I really was affected by it severely. Thing is when you're at home alone with a newborn you can't run from the house when a spider appears so I was kind of cornered into having to deal with it.

Having unlearned my stress reaction, I'm amazed by how chilled out about spiders I am now. I've even gone to sleep knowing there was a big spider in the room. They still make me jump when I first see them but I recover immediately.

Great advice.

Also, give them a name. Linda lived in my en suite for 6 months. When she disappeared, I was actually worried about her.

uhOhOP · 05/09/2024 08:57

upinaballoon · 04/09/2024 22:38

If you wish to live and thrive let a spider run alive.

If I knew where you all live I would come round and try to pick them up and put them outside.

Why? Just kill the fuckers.

onwardsup4 · 05/09/2024 12:06

upinaballoon · 04/09/2024 22:38

If you wish to live and thrive let a spider run alive.

If I knew where you all live I would come round and try to pick them up and put them outside.

Don't the massive house spiders live indoors though? Don't see them huge ones outside anywhere

TheFormidableMrsC · 05/09/2024 13:01

I've had to overcome my fear to an extent since my divorce. I have only had one big one so far but normally where there's one, there's two because it's mating season. I keep a plastic jug for the purpose and cover it up and then give myself some time to calm before removing it.

I do leave the big spindly ones because they eat the other ones. They don't bother me at all weirdly. I also have a couple of false widows living in two high skylights. I know they will be gone shortly so I'll clear the webs when they have. It's a ladder job unfortunately. Otherwise they seem to stay out of harms way. I noticed Aldi had spider catches in store the other day. Might get one. I do check the bed every night though.

TheFormidableMrsC · 05/09/2024 13:03

@Clownwithafrown Blimey! I've only seen one wasp this year and none at all in the house! Not seen any hornets either. They are huge and last year I saw them regularly but not a single one this year.

FuckThePoPo · 05/09/2024 13:19

uhOhOP · 05/09/2024 08:57

Why? Just kill the fuckers.

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Ah come on there's really no need

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