If you're scared of spiders, you are certainly not alone.
It's estimated that around six percent of the population suffer from full-blown arachnophobia - which is an intense and irrational fear of spiders or arachnids.
So, if you are afraid of spiders and happen to spot one - one thing might come to mind.
Well, maybe two, as after you've screamed the place down, the next instinct is to squish the little critter.
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And while that will certainly eliminate the threat, you really should fight the urge to squish spiders.
The first obvious threat is that we know spiders feed on the bugs that get unlucky enough to be trapped in their web, and having all those buzzing around inside your home is not exactly the idea of fun, eh?
According to IFL Science our eight-legged friends and their habit of eating bugs is a vital part of an ecosystem.
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Squishing a spider in your home may stop it bugging you today, but prepare for an influx of other bugs because it's no longer around to eat them.
Spiders also sometimes eat other spiders so you might just end up with another one coming along pretty quickly after you crush the last one.
Pretty much every house has spiders living in it and most of them prefer to keep their distance from humans, staying hidden from view most of the time and often scuttling away if you do encounter them.
They really are more scared of you than you are of them and they get rid of more annoying pests, so really what's not to love?
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Speaking of pests, some of the things they catch and kill can even carry diseases around with them, such as mosquitos.
It's very rare that a spider would actually bite you and while the vast majority of spiders are venomous, their venom is often too weak to have much of an impact on humans.
The types of spider you've really got to worry about are the Black Widow and Recluse spiders and they are quite rare, so you'll probably be fine.
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If you must put them out, then the classic method of putting a glass over them and sliding a bit of paper underneath will work just fine.
Topics: Animals
Callum Jones