Either way, there are some vital do's and don'ts when it comes to spider control in your home. The first thing is to ignore the impulse to get all Hulk-like when you see a spider and squish the little terror. Killing spiders will only attract other spiders; often, this makes way for nastier spiders.
But Matt Bertone, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, says spiders are an important part of our indoor ecosystem and rarely a danger to humans — so it's best to just leave them alone. "They're part of our environment.
As far as entomologists are concerned, insects do not have pain receptors the way vertebrates do. They don't feel 'pain,' but may feel irritation and probably can sense if they are damaged. Even so, they certainly cannot suffer because they don't have emotions.
If you cannot stand having a spider in the home, don't squish it to bits. Instead, capture it with a jar and release it outside. It will find somewhere else to go and will continue preying on the bugs you also despise. Spiders aren't the only household creatures you want to keep around.
The Karma of Killing Spiders
So, according to the teachings of the Buddha (as written by Lama Zopa Rinpoche): If you kill one sentient being, then for 500 lifetimes you will be killed by others. This is the result of one negative karma of killing.
Guilt when killing household spiders can be largely attributed to introquite psychological phenomenons and the knowledge of their biological impact on the planet. Though spiders have limited emotional capabilities, the humans often personify them to have much more complex feelings often leading to cognitive dissonance.
Do spiders want to bite humans? Generally, spiders want to avoid humans and will only bite as a defense mechanism if they are provoked. Many are extraordinary at hiding or camouflaging themselves because they don't want to be seen.
Spiders may be more afraid of us than we are of them: They are not aggressive and would rather be left alone. If we consider the many things we can learn about and from spiders, our fear of them will turn into fascination for spiders.
While the theory is unproven, it is likely that spiders can detect human fear. However, there are only few studies about this topic and it is not yet known for certain. Different animals have sensory organs that are able to identify different stimuli.
Take the spider outside, a good distance away from your home and gently set it free. DO NOT SQUASH IT as this may cause the egg sack to tear and release its contents.
Squish the spider with a tissue or solid object
Most spiders that you find around your house are harmless and are easy to kill with a tissue or with an object. The only downside to this manual method is the close proximity needed to kill the spider which is probably not the best if you are squeamish or have a phobia.
Spiders are antisocial and try their best to avoid human contact. More often than not, when a spider bites a person, it's because they felt threatened and had no other course of action. If a spider can escape, it will run away, but it if is about to be crushed, it will try to defend itself.
However, they did not engage in that sort of behavior with non-predator objects. Now, some people have taken this study to mean that spiders feel fear, an emotion. However, stopping and assessing a potential threat and then running away is not the same as fear. It's a reaction wired into their nervous system.
The first and most common method of exterminating a spider is the well-loved smashing method, which aims to ultimately turn the poor arachnid into a pile of spider ooze. Essentially, you must find a big, blunt object and bring it down upon the offending spider with all your might.
Researchers believe causes might include: A traumatic past experience with a spider. Childhood exposure to a parent's arachnophobia. You may develop arachnophobia if you felt the anxieties of one of your parent's reactions to spiders.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply it to any area in which spiders gather and spray it directly on any spider you see. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is thought to burn and kill spiders upon contact. You can also place small dishes of vinegar in dark corners to ward away spiders.
Spiders are not aggressive and will either try to run away from people, or defend themselves. Many are exceptional at hiding or camouflaging themselves, in the hope we don't even see them.
No. They are nearly blind. They can't hear at frequencies audible to mammals. They have eye spots, not true eyes.
Most spiders are not attracted to light itself but, instead, are attracted to light because it attracts the insects that they prey on. However, some nocturnal spiders will use light to help them navigate and hunt their prey. Others, need to get enough sunlight to make their webs nice and strong.
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies.
But when it comes to the occasional arachnid, keeping them around is not a bad idea. And if you're fighting the urge to kill, it may be helpful to remember the golden rule of creepy crawlies: They're more afraid of you than you are of them. “Spiders are not out to get you,” Dr. Bertone writes.
“It's probably because of the urban heat-island effect and prey availability,” says Lowe. “Most invertebrates will grow to larger sizes if they are warmer. They are very sensitive to temperatures.” Urbanisation probably benefits these spiders in several ways, she says.
Spiders, whether venomous or not, don't usually bite unless provoked. If they feel threatened, they may try to defend themselves by biting or jumping at you. Your best bet for keeping out of spider confrontations is to keep an eye out for them and avoid crossing paths.
While spiders keep away from light, preferring dark places, most insects they feed on are attracted to light. With dark colors, you'll discourage the bugs that spiders eat. It also helps to keep your outdoor lights off. In doing so, you discourage spiders from approaching your home.
Spiders, like almost all other animals, will avoid humans and will run away if any avenue of escape is left open to it. Don't allow children or anyone else to poke sticks into the web or otherwise annoy the spider. The animal may get angry or scared enough to bite.