Spiders
 

I know it sounds like a ridiculous thing to post about but I have a lot of paranoid thoughts connected with spiders and recently my house seems to be infested with some of the biggest spiders me (and my support workers) have ever seen and they're cropping up everywhere, bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen living room. Basically what I want to know is there any way of getting rid of the damn things/finding out where they're living and get rid Without using a product that is harmful to dogs, as I often have my own and other people's dogs round. Obviously don't want to poison the dogs but also can't cope with the paranoia the presence of these enormous spiders is causing when I'm trying to rebuild my life a bit.

It doesn't sound ridiculous at all, and I, and I'm sure others will relate to the significant impact large spiders can have on mental health, especially in years like this one which seems to be 'good' for spiders and a lot are around.

You can buy plug in spider repellants which are safe for humans and pets but are uncomfortable (ultrasonic waves) for spiders.

Another tip apparently is lighting citronella candles in rooms/areas where you see more activity. I don't know whether citronella is safe to have around pets. If it is, you could also try burning a drop or two of citronella oil in an oil burner if that's easier to source than the candles (of course this is dependent on whether you're allowed to light candles at home).

I'm ashamed to say I allow my partner to utilise the tool that is the vacuum cleaner to eat the big ones :S

Your support workers might also be able assist with blocking off any nooks and crannies, like in skirting boards for example. Some polyfiller might do the trick, as well as using those draft excluder things.

Thanks hon that was really helpful and I feel a little bit less like a complete tool :)

Apparently they hate conkers! My mum puts some in the corners of the room, down the side of the couch, behind curtains etc.
I have no idea how but it seems to work!

It will always be time for a follow the spiders joke 'why spiders, why not follow the butterflies' :P

Bear I will try and obtain some conkers and see if that helps.

I just worry they're carrying secret messages and stuff and spying. Also they're just plain horrible :P

^ Yeah and me being allergic to cats wouldn't be an issue at all :'D tbf though I'd probably take the itchy eyes and wheezing if it got rid of the damn things. I do have in my life three dogs who chase/eat spiders and flies but unfortunately they're all a bit thick and usually miss.

Ha ha only 1 is mine and she's deaf, old and the same cantankerous little sod she was when we got her at 4 years old :P The rest we try, beans knows me and the support workers try but they cling on to being fundamentally stupid.

In other news one support worker is bringing me some conkers (as advised by Bear) to put where they're worse.

If it makes you feel any better everyone at my work seems to have an influx of spiders this year. Not sure what makes this year special though!

Genuine question, do you think the spiders are spying?

No I don't but I do understand how someone might think that.

For one even if they wanted to spy on us I don't think their hearing or sight would be good enough to get any information on us other than there is something much bigger than me in this room and it moves. Also, whilst insects and the like appear to be organised and super communicators they aren't. They are just very good at doing very small and specific jobs. Like ants. They aren't saying oi you! do this then that they blindly follow the scent that other ants have left. All a spider wants in life is to find a corner, create a web and catch some food.

Thankyou both of you *breathes slightly easier* I know it's pathetic but I cannot shake it off.

I keep trying to watch every film/tv thing I can think of and see and online scrabble but I just can't concentrate more than 5 mins, even things I normally love.

Thankyou for all the suggestions. Tbh my paranoia has gotten so bad with regards to spiders and life in general getting out at all is 'challenging'. I'm doing it, but panicking. And then I get home 'safe' and the ****ing spiders are there spying so I can't even feel safe at home *breathes*