A little prick in bed!

I'm afraid of the spider itself, just the look of them.
A bite is the last thing on my mind, really.

If one bit me, the horror would be that it had been sitting on me for who knows how long.

For those of you who are now terrified by the OP, she must have been incredibly unlucky. My house is full of spiders, mostly those with the spindly legs. I have never been bitten by a spider and I don’t know anyone who has.

Not a spider but years ago I woke up in horrible discomfort. Got out of bed and put the lamp on, there was blood all over my sheet and nightdress. Lifted my nightdress and it looked like Freddie Kruger had stuck his talons in. There was two 6 inch plus gashes on my stomach. The culprit turned out to be a broken spring that had pushed through the cover of our ancient mattress. I think I'd go hysterical if I found a spider in bed. I'd rather be gouged by a dozen springs

Crossstitchfan

Years ago, when my daughter had her own house, she worked shifts. If she came home from a 3-11 shift, she quite often was ‘greeted’ by a spider sitting in the hall. Her phobia was very real so regardless of the time, she would phone her wonderful Dad who would dash over to our house on the other side of town and rescue her. It was either that or her spending the night in the car! She soon realised this was not a good way to live and enrolled on a special course (at London Zoo at that time. Don’t know if they still do them).
This course was amazing, and within a couple of hours of it starting, she sent us a photo of her holding a Tarantula!!
Now, all these years later, she still hates them, but easily copes with removing them from the house.

‘Dash over to our house’ should say ‘dash over to HER house’!

Years ago, when my daughter had her own house, she worked shifts. If she came home from a 3-11 shift, she quite often was ‘greeted’ by a spider sitting in the hall. Her phobia was very real so regardless of the time, she would phone her wonderful Dad who would dash over to our house on the other side of town and rescue her. It was either that or her spending the night in the car! She soon realised this was not a good way to live and enrolled on a special course (at London Zoo at that time. Don’t know if they still do them).
This course was amazing, and within a couple of hours of it starting, she sent us a photo of her holding a Tarantula!!
Now, all these years later, she still hates them, but easily copes with removing them from the house.

MayBee70

I’m currently terrified of ticks ever since I found one on my leg a couple of years ago. I’ve sent away for some special socks that repel them as I’m scared of walking through fields of long grass.

A quick spray with Jungle Formula, or shop's own brand, around lower leg and across shoulders keeps a lot of nasties away.

The card and glass method is too close for comfort for me...

I tried it once, the spider started jumping like a maniac in the glass, then I realised I couldn't open the door because I had both hands full.

Whethertomorrow

I’m feeling so grotty that I tried to make it light hearted.

Glad I fooled some of you.

You certainly fooled me now I’m too scared to go to bed 😫

I always try to remove spiders safely with a small pan and card. I have never tried to pick one up. Many years ago I was on a landrover trip in Iran and a member of our party went for a wee en route in some bushes. She was bitten in the bum by a venemous spider. She had to be rushed to a hospital in Tehran and left there.

I wonder if a few dishes of that repellent could be left out to spiderproof a home???

Crossstitchfan
I moved to an 8th floor apartment. Beautiful sea view and not a spider in sight. I presume they don’t fancy crawling up all 8 floors - thankfully!!
Unfortunately, they climb up to the third floor, where I live.

My DD, who is going to Africa soon, went to her local French pharmacy, to ask their advice on repellents for insects. They suggested a bottle of liquid which can be diluted in water for soaking clothes in. It seems it is efficient for a few washes. Maybe it could used against…….

Must admit, I was rather intrigued with the thread title. However, I am sorry that you are feeling rough Whethertomorrow, hope you improve very soon.

This reminded me of a particular night some years ago - I had drifted off to sleep with my arm above my head when I suddenly felt a tickling sensation in my armpit. I sat up quickly to find an earwig in the bed. They really do freak me out but I will certainly be mindful of spiders from now on.

Purplepixie

I really hate spiders!!! They are not as cute as some people think.

There actually are people who think spiders are CUTE? My goodness, how is that even possible?
I absolutely hate them with a passion. My husband and I lived in a country village until his death. Lots of spiders! Then, I moved to an 8th floor apartment. Beautiful sea view and not a spider in sight. I presume they don’t fancy crawling up all 8 floors - thankfully!!

Aaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!

A few summers back I was deadheading a climbing rose and felt a prickle in my bra. Thinking it was a bit of leaf I ignored it. But later I explored the stinging feelings, only to find a red patch with two tiny holes in the centre. DinL is a GP and she said two holes is definitely a spider bite. Cream from chemist helped but it took two weeks to disappear. Lesson learnt- don't garden in low front t-shirt!

I'm sure I have read that fear of spiders is genetic.

It really annoys me that I can't "get a grip" but I just seem to have built in spider sensor.

I can at least pick up very small ones now, but its not guaranteed. I have to practice, give myself a pep talk, do breathing exercises and make sure I don't wear my glasses when I do it. Q

when I was a little girl we lived in Singapore and I have cine film of me in the Malayan jungle, tickling tarantulas out of their holes with long grass. I obviously wasn't scared of them aged 8/9.
Now, 60 years later, I am terrified of all spiders (to the extent that my heart races and I get all hot and bothered if I see one) I always thought I was being completely irrational and get cross with myself, but thanks to this thread I can now justify sucking the horrible creatures up with the vacuum cleaner when hubby isn't around to put them out. Thank you!

Can you tell us which part of the country you are in?
I’ve heard of huge spiders in East Anglia. There is one called the Redgrave spider, I think.
Sorry to hear you are so poorly.

AT last, I can stop feeling guilty.
Very occasionally - and I do mean VERY, during the spider invasion season, I've seen a ginormous one scuttle across my living room carpet.
My instinctive reaction is to grab my exceedingly heavy dictionary and drop it on the spider, then leave for a day before removing the corpse.
having read these horror stories I now feel justified! Apologies to all those who will disagree with me!

My father was Australian-born so my sister and I were taught to be wary of spiders. I dislike them.
My husband and I had a Teasmaid (yes!) and it was on his side of the bed. We had milk already in the cups and I sat up enjoying my morning cuppa. Then I noticed a leg sticking up in my cup and shrieked that a daddy long legs was there. My husband dealt with it and came back to say it was not a daddy long legs but a large spider. I was not amused!
Having said that I would prefer a spider to a tick any day. Most of the latter just bite and are "harmless" but if infected the end result can be Lyme Disease. A bullseye rash is a good warning but without it one can be unaware of the problem. This can be dangerous. My husband died as a result of Lyme disease. It is incredibly difficult to diagnose without a special blood test as it copies different diseases. Most UK doctors have little experience of LD but this is changing as there are far more ticks around these days. We lived in our old home for 57 years and only saw them in the last ten years.
Avon So Soft seems to be somewhat effective against ticks and other pests. Maybe it could help one avoid spiders.

Purplepixie

I really hate spiders!!! They are not as cute as some people think.

Do people think they're cute, Purplepixie, ??? or are you being ironic

I hate the things and have no pity, biting or not biting.
If its them or me in the room there can only be one winner.
I generally love animals but have some problems with certain members of the insect world.......

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My spider bite, also woke in bed by an itch, this was the result, I was given antibiotics and steroids, might be worth a visit to your GP

Have always been terrified of spiders. Have had a couple of nasty bites. Once changed into T-shirt that had bee over a chair in bedroom, few minutes later a real stabbing pain in side, ripped off T-shirt and a spider dropped down, took weeks for swelling and discomfort to subside bit GP didn't seem interested.
Recently had a tick bite while gardening despite wearing long trousers and socks, whole calf swelled up, very hot and hard and painful to put weight on leg, had antibiotics but still took around 2 weeks to clear and was told to keep checking for 2 months to see if 'bullseye' appears which would mean tick was infected and I could have lyme disease.
Worst ever was lying in bed feeling tickle on my face and brushed face with hand. Got up a little later and enormous, thick legged, black spider on pillow. Never ever go to bed without checking under pillows, duvet or bedspread and all around sides of bed for the monsters. It's developed into a real phobia for me.

I check my bed every night have done for years after one ran across my face and woke me in the night. Also found one under my pillow a couple of years ago. Ugh !