We have spiders and pill bugs in our basement. I want to spray for them, but I also have pet rats that I like to let wander around on occasion, and don't want them to get sick. Is there a natural bug spray that is rodent safe? (I know, our basement sounds like a fun place) [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Oct 15, 2009 - 11 answers

I think there are hobo spiders in my house. How freaked out should I be? Time to call the exterminator? [more inside]
posted by ga$money on Aug 23, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me identify this black spider. [more inside]
posted by not that girl on Mar 20, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me to find a way to be compassionate to people with a fear of spiders. Today in the work place someone started jumping up and down and screaming when they saw a spider. My wife and daughter are also very afraid of them too. My mind tells me that such fears are totally irrational and I want to tell them to "get over it." My gut tells me there is something more going on but I don't no what it is. Educate me.
posted by Xurando on Sep 8, 2008 - 49 answers

I need spider control options, please! [more inside]
posted by pdb on Aug 8, 2008 - 7 answers

Where (online) can I find a toy camel spider or something that looks remotely similar? [more inside]
posted by thisisnotkatrina on Jun 28, 2008 - 6 answers

What are some natural spider repellents I can use in the house? Google searching leads me to believe that there are a number of essential oils that might be effective, but do you have any first-hand experience? With which ones? How to apply? Any other natural cures that I won't mind putting around my house? Also, are there certain things that attract spiders that I should avoid having around? I know they are generally harmless, but they make me so uneasy.
posted by foxinthesnow on Jun 3, 2008 - 14 answers

during the wintertime, what is the kindest way to get rid of a spider? [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman on Mar 30, 2008 - 20 answers

Are you really only ever six feet away from a spider at any given time? [more inside]
posted by birdlips on Sep 27, 2007 - 22 answers

A spider landed on me in Hawaii. It was very big (almost palm sized), and black with yellow and blue splotches on it. Is it poisonous? [more inside]
posted by rybreadmed on Aug 30, 2007 - 16 answers

My wife, new baby and I just moved into a house that we love. The one problem is that it has spiders of every type, everywhere, indoors and outdoors. We even have these small spider webs all over our lawn. With the new baby, I am hesitant to go ape with the chemicals. We vaccum regularly, including ceiling corners, closets etc. and have moved vegitation back from the house a bit, though there is a ton of flowers and ornamentals. Any ideas for dealing with the critters without dousing the place in insecticide?
posted by pazoozoo on Jul 15, 2007 - 15 answers

How do spiders construct webs between two distant, separate points? [more inside]
posted by snailer on Jul 8, 2007 - 14 answers

Black widow spiders are coming to get me; what do I do? [more inside]
posted by sdis on Nov 14, 2006 - 14 answers

Why do spider legs curl up after death?
posted by unmake on Oct 6, 2006 - 7 answers

A few weeks ago as I was cleaning pots, I saw what appeared to be a bit of cabbage zipping around in the bottom of a big ole crock pot...which turned out to be an unfamiliar-looking spider. Here's a picture of it (and a huge, grosser version). What kind of spider is it? [more inside]
posted by tpl1212 on Sep 3, 2006 - 8 answers

My wife is afraid of spiders. We just moved to Portland, Oregon, where the spider population seems to be higher than that even of slackers. I would like to not have to go on spider patrol every night, and I'd like my toddler daughter to not grow up with an irrational fear as well. Is there a way to cure her fear of spiders?
posted by sholdens12 on Aug 7, 2006 - 29 answers

Gah!Filter: Today I woke up, and there were bugs. Everywhere. [more inside]
posted by Drunken_munky on Apr 25, 2006 - 17 answers

I walked out to my car and came across a big cluster of little yellow spiders (240kb jpg of the whole disgusting mass or a little 8kb detail of just a few of them). They seem to have little, black smiley faces on their abdomens. I can’t identify them online. Since I understand spiders that look alike differ by region, I live in Portland, OR. Are they dangerous? How should I deal with them? I hosed some of them off the car, but more have gotten inside!
posted by mph on May 3, 2005 - 9 answers

Here are two pictures of a kind of rather large (1" long body), nasty spider that I'm finding all over my apartment [scary pictures warning]. Please help me identify it. [more inside]
posted by Civil_Disobedient on Apr 19, 2005 - 28 answers

PhobiaFilter: I'm an arachnophobic. How does one conquer an irrational fear? [more] [more inside]
posted by normy on Nov 15, 2004 - 14 answers

Where do cobwebs come from?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Oct 28, 2004 - 24 answers

I need to find a method/product that allows me to analyze the contents of a website. [More Inside]
posted by smcniven on Oct 27, 2004 - 7 answers

Spiders and bathtubs. Great big hairy jumping spiders keep magically appearing in my bathtub. How do they materialise thus (given the windows are shut etc)? Spontaneous generation?
posted by Mossy on Sep 20, 2004 - 17 answers

Attack of the Spider Monsters! What seemed like a normal amount of spiders in my apartment has turned into something more horrible. Since they're all very tiny right now, I'm assuming an egg sac opened up somewhere. ick. I have a small child and two cats. What can I use to get rid of the spiders, that won't harm my family? Besides buying a dozen wooden shoes, and hiring a team of clog dancers.
posted by FunkyHelix on Sep 3, 2004 - 11 answers

Should not Spiderman's web not shoot out his arse?
posted by kenaman on Jun 26, 2004 - 26 answers