Anyone successfully conquered arachnophobia?

[Seziah]

Just back from a few days in the countryside and the Airbnb was absolutely full of spiders. Most were small but I came down the first morning to two giant thick whoppers and barely slept after that.

I tell myself they can’t hurt me, they’re more scared of me etc. but it just doesn’t make any difference. Completely irrational, and hard when you live alone.

Has anyone tried any therapies to get over the fear? I’ve heard of the spider programme at London Zoo but there doesn’t seem to be any availability, it’s a bit of a journey and not sure if it truly works

@ShakyBake
😂😂
I think you need a hobby.

Just from Amazon, you get a kit and cut it to size. It’s a bit faffy but it does keep things out https://amzn.to/4yPcRJl

Yes, but I am not entirely sure why it worked. I was just determined not to act afraid of them in front of the kids when they were little, as I didn't want them picking it up from me. Lots of oh there's a cute spider, thank you for eating our flies etc I guess i just managed to convince myself. I still wouldn't pick one up in bare hands, but am entirely fine with them existing newr me.

Of course the kids picked up the fear anyway, I am convinced it was the peppa pig episode that did it!

My DH is a trained hypnotist and can cure spider and other phobias in one session. He’s extremely good at it but there are lots of ‘hypnotherapists’ who aren’t that great. If you tried one and it didn’t work, try someone else.

He’s retired now so I’m not going to pass on his details but just wanted to say, do your research and find a good hypnotist.

@Forkbangles Just so you’re aware while this might help with the smaller spiders, the big house spiders we see at this time of year don’t come from outside, they live in the house all year round. They are just more visible at this time of year because they come out to find a mate.

But where do they live that we don’t see them 😫

This isn’t my experience but I am meticulous about cleaning and there is nowhere to hide. I suppose if the spiders are already inside then the mesh won’t help or will just keep them in 🙈

Well that's made me want to burn my house down 🤣 and to mate!? 🤢 That's a fact I could have lived without knowing 🤣

You can sign up to get notified in advance when the course dates are due to be released. Do this, as I still had to wait nearly a year. The slots go in minutes

I’ve also done the London Zoo course and it changed my life. I’d thoroughly recommend it!

I promise it’s true - hence the name “house spiders”. I didn’t learn this until a few years ago.

They can’t survive outside, although they are usually fine in outbuildings.

If it makes you feel better the females tend to eat the males after they’ve mated? 😂🙈

If you get the long legged skinny spiders that tend to stay in the corners of a room, keep them around - they eat house spiders.

When I was about 15 or 16 I did a similar thing as London Zoo do but at Bristol zoo.

It really did work. I was petrified of spider but that day I held a tarantula in my hand and I was fine. I’ve had no problem with spiders ever since.

I'm not sure if it does make me feel better or not 🤣 technically means less spiders but also makes me even more scared of the ones who remain...! 🥲

Reading this thread has made me feel reassured I’m not the only one who is that scared of them but also made me so anxious I’ve had to strip the whole bed and remake it in case one was hiding in there 🤪🤦‍♀️

Yes, I tolerate cellar spiders because they eat the other spiders. I am a fan of spider-on-spider aggression!

Following with interest for treatment ideas. I can cope with any kind of insect but I have a horrendous fear of mice/small rodents. My DH and my two DC can’t cope with insects at all. We help each other out… I remove insects from the house, my DH sorts mice although TG we have not had one for a long time.

I love spiders (not helpful)

I've had a few big boys in my house, big hairy mofos. Used to live near a banana plantation 🕷️

@TheImpOfThePerverse2026 those banana spiders are the stuff of nightmares.