Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave the spider alone?

46 replies

WalrusGumboot · 20/08/2016 22:53

Not too small spider ran across our bedroom wall and disappeared behind the bedside cabinet (my side) before dp could get a jug and piece of paper to catch it. Dp is now pissed off because I don't want it all pulled out and the spider escorted off the premises. I'm feeding the baby and trying to get her off to sleep and it would probably be a futile exercise anyway.

OP posts:
CruCru · 20/08/2016 22:55

Spiders kill flies and mosquitos, therefore slowing the spread of disease. They are a force for good. Leave the spider alone.

WorraLiberty · 20/08/2016 22:56

I'd leave it too. It's probably been there for ages.

Mind you knowing about it, would make me itchy Grin

Original poster
WalrusGumboot · 20/08/2016 23:01

Yeh I do keep looking over my shoulder hoping not to see movement Grin

Dp reckons it would have been much quicker to splat it, but he knows I don't allow wanton murder in this house unless the cats get there first.

OP posts:
MyCatsHateMLMtoo · 20/08/2016 23:09

OP, thank you for not providing a photo, shudder. Last night I was on the loo and a large spider ran past into the corner. I threw a book on it and, with a tissue, put it down the loo. I went downstairs, sat down and a large spider ran across the carpet. I threw another book at it, and put it in the bin. Going back up to the bathroom a bit later to brush teeth etc., yet another big spider ran across the room! Used a book to squash it and down the loo it went.

However, on going to bed I was paranoid about where the next spider would come from. Is it the season for the buggers, they scare the life out of me when they scurry across the floor OR BED Shock.

I apologise for killing them, but really I didn't want to move out to the car to sleep Grin. I reckon there are many, many more outside waiting to come in... my cats don't eat spiders, sadly.

Oysterbabe · 20/08/2016 23:12

I would never sleep again.

Original poster
WalrusGumboot · 20/08/2016 23:12

Wow MyCats I am more impressed by the number of books you have to hand in your house than I am dismayed at the spider slaughter.

Lights out here soon so I can stop glancing about for all those legs...

OP posts:
mirime · 20/08/2016 23:14

Leave it. I've never escorted a spider off the premises, DS even insists I name them now.

MadeForThis · 20/08/2016 23:18

I'd would move house. I can't even type the s word. Couldn't kill one. Would be scared to get that close. Eeewww

TheRealAdaLovelace · 20/08/2016 23:20

OP YANBU - not sure what the problem with spiders is, honestly.
they have such pretty little faces.

OoerBlah · 20/08/2016 23:21

Leave it. People who kill spiders just because are cunts. Look at the size of it! It's not a saver toothed tiger and you don't live in Australia so it's not going to kill you.

Ameliablue · 20/08/2016 23:21

Why would you chase a spider unless some in the house is phobic.?

Original poster
WalrusGumboot · 20/08/2016 23:22

Glad to see the spider love on here. They usually get short shrift on MN ime.

OP posts:
OoerBlah · 20/08/2016 23:22

Sabre, ffs. Typo

Original poster
WalrusGumboot · 20/08/2016 23:23

Amelia, not phobic but I don't want to find it floating in my glass of water in the morning.

OP posts:
IndianaJone · 20/08/2016 23:24

WalrusGrin Another one impressed with the number of books within easy reach of Mycats.

Don't kill spiders. They are harmless and an important part of nature. Creepy though but still.

Oysterbabe · 20/08/2016 23:34

The "just leave them alone" people really underestimate how badly some are effected by arachnophobia. I'm scared of them but retain enough composure to be able to walk away and find someone to remove it. My mum becomes absolutely hysterical, screams and screams. I've seen her throw a boiling hot coffee that was in her hands over herself, faint through hyperventilation. She's otherwise the most calm and rational person you could hope to meet. If a spider is near her the reaction is pure terror which she is completely unable to control.

Okkitokkiunga · 20/08/2016 23:36

I let the spiders roam in my house. DH does escort them out to the garden though as he's not so keen. I'd rather have spiders than flies and mozzies!! I'm thinking about getting a pet tarantula Grin

Okkitokkiunga · 20/08/2016 23:38

What is it about Spiders that are scary? Is it their legs, the way they move or what? I'm only scared of poisonous ones or ones I haven't a clue what they are.

Sorry if that doesn't sound very sympathetic but I would genuinely like to know.

WorraLiberty · 20/08/2016 23:40

However, on going to bed I was paranoid about where the next spider would come from.

I thought you were going to say, 'Upon going to bed I realised I'd run out of books to read' Grin

TheFirie · 20/08/2016 23:42

I am in Australia and I have to confess I kill them all without mercy. I usually suck them in my very powerful vacuum cleaner, mainly to avoid the mess on the wall. Some spiders here are as big as a dessert plate, others are very venomous .
So the trick is suck, unplug, spray insecticide in the tube, duct tape (because I have heard that sometimes they come out, so I go for the double kill), smile and wine.

WorraLiberty · 20/08/2016 23:44

I don't like spiders. It's something about the way they scuttle and they have far too many legs for my liking.

However, I really don't understand people who fear them so much they can't force themselves to catch them in a glass and throw them out the door.

When I say I don't understand it, what I actually mean is I don't understand why the majority of people I know, don't actually do something about their fear, instead of relying on their DP or someone else all the time.

Also, a lot of people I know (strangely, mostly female) pass that fear onto their kids.

IndianaJone · 20/08/2016 23:45

Oyster op doesn't seem as scared as what you describe but I know what you mean. My sisters are that scared. One once evacuated her house and sat in a cafe for a couple of hours until our cousins from the next town came to take the spider out. The other one camped in her kitchen for 7 days because she saw one in her bedroom (shared student housing so other rooms were in use) . So a real fear for them and I do get it but op doesn't seem to be like this.

Nedisabloodydonkey · 20/08/2016 23:52

Leave it.

The only time a spider freaked me out was when it was so big I HEARD it scuttle across the floorConfused

Lbee123 · 21/08/2016 00:01

Worra have you got any suggestions that might work? I ask because I've been offered CBT for it but I dont really see how it could help. I know they are harmless, I know they can't hurt me but yet the fear completely takes over. I've had CBT for anxiety before and to apply the same techniques to my phobia doesn't help at all.

I have nightmares where I wake up screaming, I run out of bed/the room in my sleep etc. (Which I think is mostly stress induced rather than the phobia itself as only happens sporadically)

So I think you can probably guess what my suggestion would be Walrus 😂