I'm sorry you're so scared! I don't know what else to say. I work at an animal facility with several people who are arachnophobes, and all I can do about it is not show them spiders when I find them.
I'm sure you've heard it before, but spiders are the good guys. They're the ones eating the disease causing insects. But I know having them around freaks you out. The fact that you have a cat is a big point in your favor--cats love killing bugs, and very rarely get in trouble for it (a coworker's cat had a carpenter ant attached to its lip, but it wasn't hurt, just surprised).
Spiders in a home are a symptom of insects in a home. All homes will have some insects and spiders, but if the levels of them are intolerable or dangerous, then you need to contact your landlord to have something done about it. 90% of pest control is exclusion work--patching up little holes and replacing rotten wood, and sanitation. If you deprive the insects of sources of food, then the spiders will not have anything to eat. This means being meticulously clean, especially in the kitchen--keeping no dirty dishes around, keeping open food packages in the fridge or freezer, etc etc.
But it will be winter soon--you will have more insects and spiders getting into your apartment for a few weeks, then when the cold sets in, it will be pretty quiet until the spring.
It's cool that you've friended me, but be warned, I post pictures of spiders and insects ALL THE TIME. I'm not trying to scare any one, it's just a major interest of mine that my lj friends have gotten used to.
Good luck! Simple (and natural) living includes tolerating insects; I hope you can confront your anxiety and live the life you want!
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timeasmymeasure
Re: PLEASE HELP!
Date: 2008-09-07 12:49 pm (UTC)I'm sure you've heard it before, but spiders are the good guys. They're the ones eating the disease causing insects. But I know having them around freaks you out. The fact that you have a cat is a big point in your favor--cats love killing bugs, and very rarely get in trouble for it (a coworker's cat had a carpenter ant attached to its lip, but it wasn't hurt, just surprised).
Spiders in a home are a symptom of insects in a home. All homes will have some insects and spiders, but if the levels of them are intolerable or dangerous, then you need to contact your landlord to have something done about it. 90% of pest control is exclusion work--patching up little holes and replacing rotten wood, and sanitation. If you deprive the insects of sources of food, then the spiders will not have anything to eat. This means being meticulously clean, especially in the kitchen--keeping no dirty dishes around, keeping open food packages in the fridge or freezer, etc etc.
But it will be winter soon--you will have more insects and spiders getting into your apartment for a few weeks, then when the cold sets in, it will be pretty quiet until the spring.
It's cool that you've friended me, but be warned, I post pictures of spiders and insects ALL THE TIME. I'm not trying to scare any one, it's just a major interest of mine that my lj friends have gotten used to.
Good luck! Simple (and natural) living includes tolerating insects; I hope you can confront your anxiety and live the life you want!