Itsy Bitsy Spider

by Anita Benedict

I have an irrational fear of domestic spiders of all sizes.

I say domestic because most of the spiders here in Nova Scotia are not poisonous, but there are a few that I know have caused issues with people when they bite. If you ever watched the movie Arachnophobia, you might have that fear of spider species intermingling and creating a super spider. How crazy was it of me, known fear of spiders to watch this movie!

I know spiders are helpful to the environment by eating flies and other irritating bugs. I know spiders, at least in this country will not kill me. Spiders can be beautiful, amazingly delicate and build the most intricate webs that glisten in the morning dew. Spiders have taught me I don’t have to be first, especially when walking in the woods, let the taller of the group go first.

I truly do not like spiders in my house, but I do try and live with them outside.  They can’t help what I was taught as a child, my irrational fear created by older siblings. I have been trying to stop this silly fear of something that is quite harmless, quite lovely and quite useful. What would happen if I just let them live their best spider lives without fear of me squishing them? One step at a time, perhaps I need to understand and learn more about them.

I like snakes, they are useful, beautiful and mostly harmless. I was taught to fear snakes as well. Now I defend the poor things and ask why people feel the need to kill them as they go about their business of living. They are mostly shy creatures, but when they come out to the light, they are murdered for simply existing. Who taught you to fear or hate snakes? 

Perhaps if we took the time to take a look at why we fear or hate these creatures we would come to a better understanding. They were put on this earth for a purpose, or evolved on this earth for a purpose. They have a purpose and if they don’t hurt you, if you are more of a danger to them than they you, well, live and let live.

There are things like ticks and mosquitos that likely have a purpose, but those nasty little bloodsuckers can be locked up in a bottle and never let out. They are nasty creatures that give other insects bad names and do more damage than good, for example the diseases they create. They are nothing like the spiders and snakes.

I guess these same analogies fit anywhere in this world. I can learn to live with spiders and snakes, beautiful and worthy.