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Spiders (don't laugh!)

PlantyPruPlantyPru Posts: 142
in Problem solving
So, I know it's rather ridiculous for a gardener to be scared of spiders but here we are... I've started cleaning out my greenhouse today but I know there are some big ones lurking in the depths and honestly, it's made me retreat into the house for the rest of the day. My greenhouse is unheated and has had the door and window open all winter so it's not too bad in there but is there any good suggestions for how to remove them without actually having to go any where near them? I really am petrified of them. I know they're good for keeping the flies at bay, etc but that doesn't help when you have a phobia of them  :(
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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Get a friend in to help empty the greenhouse of spiders for now (though, no doubt, they will be back. Remove the webs. Maybe there is something planty you could burn to put them off, something like don't like much. I read that they don't like the usual strong smells - garlic, lavender, cedar, peppermint, eucalyptus. You could try burning dried rosemary or dried sage - fumigate the greenhouse - see what happens. It's tricky as you are in their yard, not the other way around.

    Maybe try working on the phobia.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    You have my sympathy. I blast the inside of the greenhouse with a hose and that seems to have an effect on the arachnids but it doesn't remove the need to move spidery items before the hosing starts. I keep the pots in crates so thay can be dragged out and emptied easily without having to hopefully come into contact with anything creepy.

    "Maybe try working on the phobia." If it was that easy, psychiatrists would be out of a job.

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    No way I would laugh, my youngest is a keen gardener and an arachnophobe so I totally sympathise.

    Don't have any sensible suggestions (her husband steps in as necessary) but, just a thought, my Mum used to throw the cat in the bathroom if she wanted a bath. She would wait for sounds of a scuffle and if the cat appeared licking it's lips she was all set.

    Don't suppose you have a useful cat?
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • delskidelski Posts: 274
    How about a broom? Sweep them away if you can reach. I won't go in my shed either! The back half is empty and everything is kept within reach at the front. I get a short person to go in once a year and sweep it out for me.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Think my daughter @WonkyWomble should have a look at this ... you’ve never seen anyone go so pale as she did when confronted by spiders way back ... now she’s a full time gardener ... let’s see if she has any tips ...

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    I'm not laughing,  I've overcome the terrible fear now and try to not look into the fact they are spiders and just look at them as creatures. If that doesn't work I send in hubby with the Henry hoover!!
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    How far from the house is it? I would take the vacuum cleaner and remove them
  • PlantyPruPlantyPru Posts: 142
    Thanks everyone. I've managed to get the front half of the potting bench swept down and all the pots round there so it's a start. Think I'll have to grab a rake and a broom to try and drag some of the stuff further back out and then I'll just leave it a bit and hopefully any spiders will take their leave! 
  • PlantyPruPlantyPru Posts: 142
    herbaceous said:
    No way I would laugh, my youngest is a keen gardener and an arachnophobe so I totally sympathise.

    Don't have any sensible suggestions (her husband steps in as necessary) but, just a thought, my Mum used to throw the cat in the bathroom if she wanted a bath. She would wait for sounds of a scuffle and if the cat appeared licking it's lips she was all set.

    Don't suppose you have a useful cat?
    I've got 2 cats but I'm not sure either of them would be classed as useful in that sense! The oldest just likes to eat & sleep and the youngest is under house arrest as she's come into heat and wants to do nothing other than make baby kitties 
  • Novice23Novice23 Posts: 200
    I have a useful gadget from Lakeland that enables you to suck up spiders at about 5ft distance.  Never without it in the conservatory in winter.  Also an old friend of mine, now long deceased always put conkers in each corner of her cottage rooms and swore they kept spiders at bay!   
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