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Most probably the rains; I've seen a large increase in visible spiders in my house (and I DO dust).

Any ideas on how arachniphobia (irrational fear of (big) spiders) can be beaten?

There are certain modalities of therapy that are fairly effective. I am also aware that some hypnotherapists have reasonable success.

The most common therapy used is a cognitive/behavioural desensitiation. This gradualy exposes the person to the feared object, first through pictures, until they can have an actual experience of meeting or touching the feared animal/insect/experience. It also looks at underlying assumptions around the fear. These assumptions are usually irrational.

It is important, with any phobia, to be aware that there might be elements of anxiety that need to be looked at and examined. Phobias can be one manifestation of a more generalised anxiety disorder. For this reason it is important that there is a proper clinical evaluation.

If there is a more generalised anxiety problem, a combination of SSRI's with cognitive behavioural therapy can be very effective.

Hi Guys and Gals

My letter below was also posted on the Topic: Spider ID needed

Lovely pics indeed...

I must confess, I'm very afraid of spiders (and snakes), but more so when I've seen spiders, and one second later they are not there!... Now where could it be?... CREEPY!

Got two bites from a spider three years ago. Initially the GP treated the fiery blisters as being wet psoriasis (?!) - and I now boast a hole on the back of each leg to prove it. (Btw, no sense of feel, etc.)

Yackity-yak!

Having said all that, obviously I realise what important roles spiders play as pest controllers, and thus let them be. But my BEST alternative is to call hubby to catch it in a box or bottle to release it into the 'wild' - i.e. our garden.

MM - get to a doctor ASAP - trust me!

Elzet

I've seen some hectic spider bites recently. Most spiders are not dangerous in SA, but these were from violin spiders, and caused huge holes from necrosis of the tissue at the site of the bite. Best to fumigate your house regularly as prevention always better than cure.

Perhaps 15 years ago, I saw masses of spiders crossing the lengthway of the lawn outside our hut at Olifants, close to the river view. It was quite dark, so I never got to see what they looked like, but you had to be careful where you were treading. Needless to say, we abandoned our braai and headed for the safety of the enclosure.

Anyone have any idea what spiders would do this in that area, and is it seasonal?

I would have done the same, OWN.

Found three black widow spider nests under the lapa day before yesterday... Now I hang out there with some unease. Once bitten, twice shy, you know.

You obviously don't have the heart to spray them, eh? Being a nature lover and all and all ...

A belated thank-you, Meandering Mouse, for your excellent assessment of overcoming phobias! Highly instructive indeed.

Still wondering about those spiders at Olifants. Anyone have an idea?

MM - any follow-up on that itching bite of yours?

Elzet, that itching bite turned out to be an allergy. It was on my watch wrist.

I had been bitten, possibly by a mozzie, but the allergy made it worse. When I took my watch off for a few days, because it was so uncomfortable, it disappeared. The day I put my watch back on the area flared up again.

Hi MM, good news (i.e. not a spider bite, but an allergy).

Good news: an allergy?
Often we are allergic to something as simple as soap, or washing powder, or skin creams, and these get trapped under the watch, causing that area to deteriorate. A simple mild cortisone cream will most often remove the rash, or sometimes an antihistamine cream on its own.

Hi MM,
I too get a reaction to mozzie bites exactly as you described earlier. I now always carry a clicker around with me. When bitten I give the bite about 10 clicks with the clicker, and again as necessary. If you catch it early enough the clicker stops the bite developing. It also stops the itching, and so you don't scratch it which can lead to secondary infections.

On the watch allergy front try painting the back of the watch with varnish - that usually works.

Allan