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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell you how I overcame my fear of spiders?

74 replies

AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 08:30

I was terrified of them, but by using a Katcha Bug / Bug Katcha (whatever it's called) from the Betterware catalogue, I'm not that bothered by them any more.

I bought one to put spiders outside - I didn't realise it would also make me less scared of them. I take one with me when I go on holiday - it'it's made a big difference to my life.

I tried one of those vacuum catchers, but couldn't stand the thought of a spider zoom towards my hand even if it is in a plastic tube.

I think the Katcha Bug works because it puts you in control of the situation, while the spider is kept at arms length. I think they should mention this phobia lessening effect in the catalogue. I bought one for my mum and it's helped her too.

OP posts:
UriGeller · 25/09/2013 12:12

I need one. Although my phobia isn't one I'm particular bothered to get over.

I've got the electric plug in squeaky thing and the spray which I douse all the corners in after maniacally hoovering every day....and the buggers STILL keep coming, scuttling across the carpet from under the woodburner. :(

Original poster
AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 13:16

I wonder if Bear Grylls eats them if he sees them scuttling past while he's watching telly in his house, like my mum's dog does? A little snack on legs.

OP posts:
ShakeRattleNRoll · 25/09/2013 13:30

Maybe he saves them all up and has them on toast or something like that or a stew Confused Grin

Original poster
AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 13:49

Shake - Beware of Bear Grylls bearing Eccles Cakes!

OP posts:
needaholidaynow · 25/09/2013 14:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tywysogesgymraeg · 25/09/2013 15:03

Hey KittensoftPuppydog - I can hold a tarantula, no problem. It's a bit like holding a hamster, and nothing like holding a spider. It hasn't helped me with house spiders though :(

meganorks · 25/09/2013 15:05

I started to get over my fear at school when we had one in a tank and I found it interesting to watch....then one morning while hair was up in a towel I got one on my neck! Scared me half to death and been afraid ever since.
I have a betterware thing but not tried it. Do have to catch them though as otherwise you never know where the buggers are!

LoisEinhorn · 25/09/2013 15:14

I got one of those and it was rubbish. When you turn the thing to make to door shut it slides really quickly and the bug gets caught in it. I hate killing anything so went back to using a glass and paper (or rather DH did)

Original poster
AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 15:49

Lois - I'm really careful and tend to push it closed with my fingers. I can also just catch crane flies with my hands now - I used to get someone else to do it before.

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jellybeans · 25/09/2013 17:33

I have one and love it. My parents and friends have them too.

Worst spidey times for me were when I woke up and on the pillow where I had been lying was what looked like lots of black cotton. On closer inspection it was a mangled huge spider I had obviously slept on and crushed in the night when it was crawling under or on my face!! Ugh!

Other worst one was when I was about to sit on the loo and had thought to look down loo and was a huge spider in the loo bowl near top. Imagine if I had sat down and it crawled to me!!
The spider catcher is amazing. Yes they break easy and you have to close it slowly so you don't break spideys legs. Also watch the flap is right way up or will just fall out on you! But well worth the 6 quid or whatever it is. I keep one up and one down.

Topseyt · 25/09/2013 18:07

Urrrgh! I hate spiders. In fact, I really don't "do" spiders. Tiny ones I am OK with, but the massive house or garden spiders terrify me.

My labrador has occasionally eaten them, when he was younger and could catch them, but even then I had to hope that he didn't think it was a retrieve and bring it to me, as labradors and other retriever type dogs can sometimes tend to do. A friend's labrador dropped a large one on her one morning.

I don't know why, but around here all of the large spiders in the neighbourhood seem to have a sixth sense for the occasional weekend when my husband (my spider catcher) has gone away, and they come marching into the house. I then just have to force myself to do something about them, otherwise I would have to go outside and sleep in my car.

Methinks I might need a katcha bug thingy. Might feature one on my next Amazon order.

Jellybeanz1 · 25/09/2013 18:12

Do you have shares in these?Smile

Original poster
AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 18:32

Jellybeans1 - no! If I did I would do a better job of marketing them. I would still like to know if there's anything even better on the market. Like I said, I can't stand the vacuum ones because they make the spider fly up the tube towards you.

OP posts:
Original poster
AdventureTed · 25/09/2013 18:39

Topseyt - I love labradors, but having one dropping spiders on my lap would be a nightmare!

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Ledkr · 25/09/2013 18:50

I've dethlaced my house everywhere and have only had two of them this year. I hate them too.

Ledkr · 25/09/2013 18:56

Crane flies have flown into my car a couple if times while I'm driving the bastards! I nearly crashed

Lisavarna · 25/09/2013 19:18

Does that Dethlac stuff really work though? I have sprayed my entire house and still have had two of the massive buggers in the last 12 hours, oh and yes whilst my dh was also away!

Topseyt · 25/09/2013 19:27

Adventure Ted, I agree. I love my labrador, but if he ever gets a spider again then I have to say he can keep it.

The friend was having a weekend lie-in when it happened.

FusilliJerry · 25/09/2013 19:28

I've got a corker of a spider story. I was at a music thing the other week in the local church, where there was wine during the interval. Grabbed a glass and drank it whilst talking to my friend. Finished glass and looked at it as I went to put it down. "oo, the glass is cracked." I thought. But it wasn't cracked. On closer inspection it was a cobweb... with one dead spider... and one alive one trying to crawl out the glass! Sadly I did not wake up as spiderman the next day...

EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 25/09/2013 19:56

I second the London zoo programme. I am no longer phobic. It has absolutely changed my life. They don't make you do anything you aren't comfortable with and 100% of the people there could catch a spider in a glass without panicking by the end.

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 25/09/2013 20:01

I used to be scared (husband is terrified) and at the minute our garden is full of the most amazing webs and these big chunky spiders. Toddler DS is fascinated by them and squeal 'pider! piked!' when he sees them, I've found that forcing myself to be calm and appear un phased by them in front of him has actually made me a lot less scared of them.

I use the pint glass and a piece of card trick for house spiders. I used to just squish them, but now I pop them out the back door gently. I'm a reformed spider hater.

needaholidaynow · 25/09/2013 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KittensoftPuppydog · 25/09/2013 20:31

The London zoo programme- they don't make you do anything you don't want to and they are incredibly supportive. Believe me, they've seen everything there. Everyone is is the same boat. Btw the head of Bugs at the zoo, who runs the course, is an ex arachnophobia.

HughGeeReckshin · 25/09/2013 21:03

Do you have to slide the lid thing with your hand though? I couldn't put my hand anywhere near.... Sad

Sallyingforth · 25/09/2013 21:17

On closer inspection it was a mangled huge spider I had obviously slept on and crushed in the night when it was crawling under or on my face!!

How awful, jellybeans. What a terrible experience to wake up to - that poor, poor spider. I do hope it didn't suffer!