To Keep A Handy Spider in the House?

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

I have a lovely one, called Marigold.

I rescued him out of the bath when he was only little (after shouting at DH not to flush him down ) when he was only little. Pretended to put him out in the corridor of our flats but secretly let him back in. Didn’t see him for a few weeks but but yesterday I noticed he’d grown into a lovely big spider living in the corner of the bathroom. So he can stay up there and catch some flies, and everybody is happy.

Do you keep a handy spider around?

I move any of the big ones that are lurking to close to where I sleep - onky because I find myself constantly checking where thet are if I don't! And any that are not house spiders / cellar spiders get put outside as I assume they came in by mistake on dried clothes or similar. Other than that I leave them alone.

I have to put them out because my DH is terrified of them.

He wakes up some nights screaming, jumps out of the bed and throws the covers away because he has had a dream/thinks theres a spider in the bed.

My house is full of those spindly cellar spiders

We have the one foot rule. As long as they stay against the ceiling or no further down the wall than a foot they can be left in peace.

One of my cats eats the ones which he finds on the floor. You'll see him all interested in something. Usually sitting down, head bent, ears pointing down, whiskers splayed. He has found a little friend. He watches/follows it for a while.

Then he munches on something; and, while licking his lips looks around for little friend who seems to have disappeared. But where?? ... He's not the brightest

We have a spider called Elizabeth. We enjoy her “company” and have done for a few years.
I suspect this is an accolade that has been passed down through generations. I don’t know how long spiders live, but the logical side of my brain says it’s not the same spider

Laiste ah the socially distanced spider!

I hate the thin grey ones and vacuum them up.

My son used to insist I left the spiders in his room, and so I carry on that policy now he's left home. Spiders kill flies - I much prefer spiders to flies. Except those thin grey ones

No spiders here but plenty at old house, entertainment for the dog

So they can’t come back in and invade my house ?

@Rc123467 still shit to just kill them though, Im really glad the majority on this thread are kind and teaching their kids to be kind to them too.

@CheddarGorge

I do... I keep the thin grey ones with long legs as they eat big black ones 🕷

Yep. I've been known to collect in Tupperware and bring them home

Spiders are excellent natural pest control. I had one living in the doonstairs loo and would play with it while I was in there. They're funny things, especially the ones who stand on their back legs and put their dukes up.

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@Rc123467 still shit to just kill them though, Im really glad the majority on this thread are kind and teaching their kids to be kind to them too.[/quote]
My youngest DD used to be terrified of them. She now has 2 that have taken up refuge in her (absolute state of a) bedroom.

She has asked DH to leave them in peace and says good night and good morning to them 😂

Have you ever seen a jumping spider??? Cutest spiders ever!!!

Aww, I hadn't and yes they are!

😂 my 2 year old loves them I just kill them when he’s not looking. I can’t help having a phobia I don’t just go round killing them for fun.

😱🤢

We've got a big one who lives in the shower room and several little ones dotted about the house. I'm fine with it. It's their home too and they do eat flies and such so earn their keep.

I trained the kids to leave them alone. They always wanted to put them outside and I explained that house spiders would die. They live with us all their lives and can't survive the cold.

The one in the shower room really seems to want to be friends although that might be me imagining things 😁

Jumping spiders are very cute but these guys are beautiful. (Hoping nobody with arachnophobia would click on this thread)

That is one absolutely stunning spider

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl wow, I thought that was a plushy at first.

This is Derek. The skirting board in that corner is dirty because Derek likes it that way.

(I also own several tarantulas and a jumping spider, so spiders not an issue for me at all!)

Yes!! We have 2 or 3 in the house, all called Fred

I feel quite affectionate towards the spindlies, they are not offensive at all.

However the big hairy black ones - they can fuck right off.

And since there are people who appreciate spiders here, here’s a pic of my adorable little jumping spider.

Oh no I just could not, if spiders move in, I am moving out and emigrating to the coldest country in the world!

I try and keep them but DH and DC evict them