Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

My Mum always said 'If you want to live and thrive let a spider run alive '. They kill the flies that bring the germs

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

Our fear of spiders is in our DNA, when man evolved ,believed to be in Africa, venomous spiders posed a big threat if you were bitten and died obviously that was bad, but you could be bitten and not die but become very sick, so you could not hunt/forage for food, and yourself and family/clan would suffer, so our fear of spiders is primeval ,something we still have today

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

I must admit to squishing a couple of Red Back spiders when we were in Oz. However some spiders are nasty little creatures that you wouldn't want to share your home with. Far safer company is a cat or dog. Never turn your back on one of the nasty spiders.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

I´m not a fan of spiders, but as long as they keep their distance from me they are safe. I don´t trust any of them. I got a spider bite at the top of my leg 6 years ago. I didn´t know it was a spider bite, I didn´t even feel anything bite me, but it came up as a little red painful lump. I didn´t bother about it for a couple of days, but then the flesh around the bite began turning black. Off to the doctor, who pronounced it was a spider bite. I was having to have it treated every 3 days, it made a hole in my leg which the nurse was having to pack with the dressing. It took about 3 months to heal and to this day I have a deep scar on the site of the bite. The medics thought it was most likely a bite from a brown recluse spider, whatever they are. So no, I don´t like spiders, I don´t trust them.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

The trouble is that, especially in winter, putting them outside is likely to kill them.

I never put spiders outside.

If I see one, my usual response is to just leave it where it is. When I've gone away and come back later it will have gone. It is sitting there, not moving, in abject terror!

However, I make an exception if the cat is around or likely to see it. I'm sure you know what would happen! In such cases, I gently urge it to run away under the settee or other safe place.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

Yes, for some reason we quite often find a spider in the bath and, of course, it can't climb out again.

I pick them up and put them on the floor near to where they can scuttle under something.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

Distinct advantages, then, of living in the cold North of England!

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

You can't compare spiders with cats and dogs. Spiders look like aliens, they aren't tactile and don't have appealing faces, they don't respond to cuddles and strokes or sit on your lap or go with you for walks. It's impossible to know what they're thinking, they scuttle, they look weird ...... and yes, they give me the creeps but I wouldn't kill one if I could get it outside without getting too close. I've got one of those trap things on a long handle which works well for me, as long as the critters are on a flat surface.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

I like most spiders and am happy enough to leave them in peace. Like Twink I move them out of the bath for their own safety. Most UK spiders can bite - but rarely do - more likely to run away. The only times I have bitten have been my own fault and both bites were from angry female Wolf Spiders - first when I put gardening gloves on without shaking them first and spoiled her sleep and, the second time, I accidently broke part of a nursery pod when moving things in the garage. They really hurt and made me feel sickly for a coupke of days - but also made me more careful when in the garage.

Re: Why are people so frightened of spiders?

I don't know about that. We used to get lots of spiders in the house in England, we very rarely get them indoors here, but the little devils lurk outdoors to bite your legs when you wear shorts.