To burn the villa down

[Kinkyroots]

We’re staying in a villa in a hillside villa in Cyprus - DH (thank fucking god it was him and not me) went in to top our drinks up and a fucking tarantula was sat in the kitchen. He managed to catch it in the pool net but I am totally freaking out.

I’ve not seen DH look that worried before. He went in to make the drinks, and came out quite quickly. He said omg, I don’t know whether I should tell you. He was holding his hand and I was worried he’d cut himself, sorting lemon for his gin. I said what, he said there’s a spider in the kitchen, I don’t know what to do. As he’s usually ok with them I was confused. Then he said ‘don’t go and look’. When he caught it in the pool net and brought it out I didn’t go near but it was very black and very big and trying to get out. I might need to burn more than the villa.

They missile interceptions are visible from the more coastal areas, sadly.

They have camel spiders too? It's a no from me.

Whatever you do, don't Google. You will never unsee their ghastly shape and the image will be forever burned onto your retinas

Are tarantulas dangerous? I always thought they were quite chill and shy.

Just popped in for a drink…😁

Mate, they could be the Dalai Lama of spiders but they’re FUCKING SPIDERS. It’s not the danger, it’s the SPIDER.

I actually think I'd have to go home.

And I had no idea about Cypriot spiders but it's now on the Do Not Travel list for me!

One thread and I may be killing the uk-Cyprus travel industry.

There are a million cats for a reason.

According to Byzantine legend, Helena of Constantinople shipped hundreds of cats from Egypt or Palestine to Cyprus in 328 AD to control venomous snakes.

They do spiders too.

I'm not surprised, so would I be but was there really any need to say "fucking god"? That was extremely offensive.

I've always wanted a pet spider, but the children forbid it. I am desperate for one of those cute little jumping spiders, but I would settle for a tarantula. Some of them are quite beautiful.

Yes. There was. It was a very offensive spider.

Another no fly country added to the list. Australia, East Asia, Americas now Cyprus. Nope!

I actually clicked onto this thread thinking it would be be about Love Island.

My uncles cat was fantastic for peat control. He would eat Amy intruders, mice, cockroaches, spiders and Lizards. (Not in the UK)

WTAF? How did I not know this terrifying fact?!?!

Have you ever checked out how many of the most poisonous snakes and insects in the world are native to Australia. And Brits emigrate there!

But you know it's more afraid of you, than you are of it, right?

(Sorry, I was competing for the "Prize for least helpful phrase so far". 😉😂 )

And all the UK moans about are people in boats fleeing persecution and wars. Perspective, people. This shit is real.

Gerald Durrell told us all about this !

I really do think this is a fallacy. The damn things used to run towards me every time (before I discovered that spray).

Fucking hell. Won’t be going to Cyprus EVER.

I'm in Melbourne and was in the local supermarket the other day. As I put out the goods I'd bought the shop assistant recoiled with "Urgh, there's a spider on it!"

There certainly was, though not one of the potentially problematic ones, bearing in mind that just about all spiders in the world are venomous. It was on my jar of anchovy-stuffed olives since you asked. I took the jar outside and shook the spider off it.

I can see why spiders give people the willies, though I'm not bothered.

As for spiders running away, most of them do, but a huntsman protecting its eggs will come rushing out waving its antlers to see you off. They are good parents and harmless.

I really think this comment is the funniest thing I've read in a long while 🤣

I hate spiders and anyone telling me that they're friendly obviously do not understand why it's called an 'irrational' fear. I actually could stay in the same room as 200 cobras vs one t-word (my fear forbids me from typing that word).

Hopefully you'll have a spider free holiday from now on. Get your DH to check all rooms before you get outta bed.

Why did I just read this entire thread 😐

Giving me flashbacks to the time I stayed in a “tropical island hut” on a beach in East Malaysia. Yup, you can guess the rest. Edit to add: DH asked me to go and find something to catch it in, I brought back a large coffee mug and he replied “nope that’s nowhere near big enough” and we had to use a BUCKET

Will NOT be visiting Cyprus any time soon, as I am the spider bouncer at home! Don’t want to be dealing with an arachnid the size of my left tit. 🔥