fengzi
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2023
- Messages
- 10
If you'd asked me 2 years ago if I was afraid of spiders I'd say definitely. I never would of imagined that I'd be fine holding spiders back then. I was ok with my spider catcher (Spider Catcher https://amzn.eu/7STbu3Z - highly recommended and useful for other creepy crawlies that need relocating) for relocating them to outside but that was it. And I would not even go near Giant House Spiders (Eratigena sp), my partner had to catch those.
Basically I never intended to cure it, it was a series of small events that got the ball rolling.
I found what I thought was a spider on my letterbox. Took a photo of it and wanted to know what it was as I had never seen a spider like it. Posted it on British Spider Identification group on Facebook and it turned out it was a harvestman. Looking through the group got me interested and I found myself taking photos for ID purposes.
I got so used to looking at the various spiders, learning their names, about their habits, I got desensitised to them. I still hadn't held one though and was apprehensive about doing so as I have sensory issues; don't like feeling bugs etc crawling on me and also had a bad experience when I was younger when a giant house spider ran across my hand.
The holding part started with tiny spiders that ended up in my hair after being under my tree full of spiders and the biggest so far is a Nuctenea umbratica (Walnut Orb Weaver). Don't think I'll ever hold a GHS though as they are very fast and I don't fancy one crawling up my arm to my face.
Now, far from being terrified of spiders I adore them and have literally peformed makeshift surgery on a Zygiella x-notata (Missing Sector spider) that had been wrapped in silk by a Pholcus phalangioides (Cellar spider) - I had been watching the Zygiella walking around my bathroom and saw it get caught. I wouldn't normally intervene but the local Pholcus had been killing a lot of other resident spiders I'd gotten attached to and would say hello to when I saw them. I used toothpicks and a wooden skewer to gently unwrap the silk and then used the toothpick under the bent legs to encourage them to the natural position. Once the spider was alright walking I let him go on my hand and took him outside.
I also give dehydrated spiders a drink via damp cotton buds taped to the wall near them (still have a few I haven't took down) or a damp piece of cotton wool.
I'm so obsessed with spiders now that I constantly check walls for them, go out at night with a torch looking for them and bought various macro clip on lenses, digital microscope, proper microscope, inspection pots etc. My neighbours know me as the spider woman and my OH gets irritated at my obsession.
I've now got two pet spiders (found in house, saving them from my cat and dog). Both Eratigena sp. One female adult who has recently layed eggs (which I'm looking forward to documenting the hatching process) and a sub adult or juvenile (not sure what stage they are at).
So, long story short, a simple way to cure yourself of arachnophobia (if you know anyone with it and they need advice), take photos, learn their names (also giving pet names to resident ones in the home helps) and learn their behaviour.
Basically I never intended to cure it, it was a series of small events that got the ball rolling.
I found what I thought was a spider on my letterbox. Took a photo of it and wanted to know what it was as I had never seen a spider like it. Posted it on British Spider Identification group on Facebook and it turned out it was a harvestman. Looking through the group got me interested and I found myself taking photos for ID purposes.
I got so used to looking at the various spiders, learning their names, about their habits, I got desensitised to them. I still hadn't held one though and was apprehensive about doing so as I have sensory issues; don't like feeling bugs etc crawling on me and also had a bad experience when I was younger when a giant house spider ran across my hand.
The holding part started with tiny spiders that ended up in my hair after being under my tree full of spiders and the biggest so far is a Nuctenea umbratica (Walnut Orb Weaver). Don't think I'll ever hold a GHS though as they are very fast and I don't fancy one crawling up my arm to my face.
Now, far from being terrified of spiders I adore them and have literally peformed makeshift surgery on a Zygiella x-notata (Missing Sector spider) that had been wrapped in silk by a Pholcus phalangioides (Cellar spider) - I had been watching the Zygiella walking around my bathroom and saw it get caught. I wouldn't normally intervene but the local Pholcus had been killing a lot of other resident spiders I'd gotten attached to and would say hello to when I saw them. I used toothpicks and a wooden skewer to gently unwrap the silk and then used the toothpick under the bent legs to encourage them to the natural position. Once the spider was alright walking I let him go on my hand and took him outside.
I also give dehydrated spiders a drink via damp cotton buds taped to the wall near them (still have a few I haven't took down) or a damp piece of cotton wool.
I'm so obsessed with spiders now that I constantly check walls for them, go out at night with a torch looking for them and bought various macro clip on lenses, digital microscope, proper microscope, inspection pots etc. My neighbours know me as the spider woman and my OH gets irritated at my obsession.
I've now got two pet spiders (found in house, saving them from my cat and dog). Both Eratigena sp. One female adult who has recently layed eggs (which I'm looking forward to documenting the hatching process) and a sub adult or juvenile (not sure what stage they are at).
So, long story short, a simple way to cure yourself of arachnophobia (if you know anyone with it and they need advice), take photos, learn their names (also giving pet names to resident ones in the home helps) and learn their behaviour.