spiders... Please please advise

[yellownana]

hi guys.. You may think im totally going over the top, but i just seen a spider so big i cried. :-( my fear is so big it's unreal. I check every room before i go in and just freeze with fear if i see one. Its usually the big ones that upset me most. It may sound really stupid, but it's so true. My question is, is there a way of detering them somehow. My partner works away, so i have to deal with them on my own. It's that time of year i know and so any advice would be so much appreciated. Has anyone gotten over their fear somehow. :-( luv from a very big wimp and massive spider hater!

[Count-A-Strong]

I've just used some bog roll to put a huge one out of the window. Open window, plenty bog roll over spider, squeeze gently, out of window.

[cazzz1975]

this is the time of the year when they tend to be more noticable, although unappealing in looks they are completely harmless, they keep your house clear of crawlies.

I used to be fearful but the fear was itself irrational and probably something learnt through watching family members panicking if a spider appeared on the wall.

[Eve]

You can get plug in deterrents, a friend of mine has one as she is petrified of them and it seems to work.

[yellownana]

i cant even being myself to do that. If i could, my life would be much easier...

[Prudie]

Yellownana I understand because I''m just the same. It is that time of year and had my first big one in the sink this morning but I have been expecting them for the last week or so. I found last year that putting ant powder in the recess under all the outside doors kept them away and I also have a spray that will kill them.

Expect responses along the lines that they are better than flies, can't hurt you etc

[cazzz1975]

the fear is irrational though, use a broom to kill it then if you have to kill it.

[cazzz1975]

you would appreciate our spiders a lot more if you had to live in australia ;)

[hippyhoppy]

I hoover them up.. which is frowned upon... but I concur with Cazzz.. spiders in Oz are the size of hands!!!!

[yellownana]

i really do appreciate your answers, and i know they can,t hurt me, but i can,t help it. excuse my grammer and lack of puctuation, im using my new phone... Just before the smarty pants started lol ;-)

I just need to get over this mental fear...

[Eve]

I know they can't hurt me and I couldn't kill them (though bit hypocritical as if one of the cats dealt with one I wouldn't be too gutted!) but I can't get near enough the big ones to remove them.

Not bad with the smaller ones now. Had a few big ones appear in the last few weeks!

[joko]

get conkers an put them around your house...they hate them

[Jude123]

You have my sympathy if you have a dread of spiders. You could get a glass and a piece of card and put the glass over the spider then slide the card underneath to hold it in then put it outside, I have to admit I'm lucky and they don't hold any fear or me, but then I live in England not Australia :~)

[tamborine]

Apply a clear plastic container over spider and slip some paper on top, then throw all outside. They're coming indoors for warmth & shelter.

To get over your fear, start with touching tiny spiders & progress to larger ones. You'll find they do their best to run away from you.

[netibiza]

Poor yellownana, I too am terrified of spiders. Luckily I live in Spain and we do not get house spiders, just biting ones in the garden which are avoidable. I had hypnosis to get over my fear but am still terrified although haven't seen one since. My family have bought a machine to deter them for when I go over. I understand totally your fear and that you cannot get near to them to deal with them, but cannot suggest anything.

[andy-hughes]

I do sympathise - rational arguments do nothing to help phobias, which are, by definition, irrational!

Where ever possible, ignore spiders. They don;t stay in one place long, and at this time of year, they are looking for mates, so they are travelling almost constantly.

Deterring them is really difficult, they are most resourceful, being able to survive without food or water for a long time.

The good news is - they will avoid you when possible, so forget any ideas of them crawling on you in bed. The myth that adults swallow eight spiders in a lifetime is just that - a myth put out in the early days of the Web (no pun intended!) to see how it would get around - which of course it has.

If you see one, talke some deep breaths, and try to ignore it. move to another room if possible. Sit with your feet up, and as i say, just try and ignore them. They will avoid you if possible, so hopefully this advice may help.

[4getmenot]

its also a myth about the conkers

[RATTER15]

As an experienced ex pest controller I can tell you there is virtually nothing you can do to stop spiders coming in to your home, A pest controller can treat an infestation but the trouble is it will only keep the spiders down for a few day or maybe weeks.

[TTG]

Better to have spiders than flies spreading germs.

[joko]

it isnt 4get...i live in a old house with loads of gaps and used to see many spiders...havent seen one in about 2 years... neither has my sister who has a massive phobia...

[4getmenot]

but how can that be proven its the conkers, could just be you havent seen the spiders