arachnophobia and australia, a bad match?

Question

ive heard the spiders are huge and lots of other creatures like geckos and giant insects living in houses...i dont think i can handle this..please tell me its not true...

Answer 1

You've been watching too much 'nature' television which loves to go on and on about how dangerous and scary Australia is or you've been listening to people who've been pulling your leg. The USA has many, many spiders, lizards and large insects too and they don't bother you there do they? Same in Australia - they're there, but most people never come across them.



We do have some pretty big spiders, but they're completely harmless. I don't like big spiders either, but very rarely come across one and in 6 months here, you'll be unlucky to see any.



Most houses don't have geckos, but if one that you're in happens to have some, you'll find them to be gorgeous, harmless little lizards with big eyes who EAT spiders and other insects and creepie crawlies! Geckos are your friend because of their diet and in any case, they're terrified of you. You won't find one closer than several metres away and it will either be sitting absolutely still hoping you don't notice it, or it will be heading in the opposite direction at a rate of knots.



I've never seen a giant insect inside my house and I live in a bush area so you're even less likely to see one.



Stop worrying and come and enjoy our lovely city (Brisbane I believe?).

Answer 2

We do have large spiders, however I would not go to the extent and say they are completely harmless. The largest spiders are generally timid and will flee when they see you. We have the Funnelweb which is apparently the deadliest spider on earth which will be aggressive when provoked. HOWEVER, It is rare to see one. The large ones like Huntsman spiders will run away or hide when you spot them, they generally live in trees/under bark etc, and will come inside to avoid inclement weather (Rain/Storms). You will not get bitten by one, unless you are extremely unlucky, and wont have any side effects except a little local pain and possibly a little nausia. You really have to go looking for them to find them. The huntsman can make you a little sick, as can the wolf spider and redback (Black Widow), but generally speaking you wont see any, so please do not be concerned by them. I have only been bitten by a huntsman, but ONLY because I picked it up, annoyed it and wouldn't let it go on it's way. And even them, it hurt a bit but I didn't get sick or have any problems. You really have nothing to worry about. Geckos will leave you alone and will be scared of you, if you see one yoiu will be lucky as they generally scatter before you get near them. AND they eat insects.

Answer 3

Some people watch waaaaay too much television.



20 million or so Aussies living in Australia. Deaths from Spiders and giant insects in the last several years - None. Ever notice how all the really nasty animals you hear about on TV are found in remote hard to get to areas of Australia? That's because there are no people living there. The vast majority of Australians live in towns and Cities. Places that are pretty hostile to scary wildlife. Most Aussie wildlife is more scared of you than you are of it. Stop poking around in its home and it will stop poking around in yours. Simple as that. See a redbacked spider (aussie equivalent of the Black Widow) near the toilet seat? Leave it alone. They wont bother you if you wont bother them. Other animals that might bother you are usually specific to certain parts of Australia only. Stingers in North Queensland, Funnel Web Spiders in Greater Sydney for instance. Its a lot harder to find them than you think.

Answer 4

As someone else said, Geckos are your friend, they really do eat the pests we don't like.



Spiders are not as bad as we first think.



I would class myself as having arachnophobia, but I get by OK here.

I even hated the tiny spiders in the UK.



A can of spider spray, an electronic spider control unit ($50), and an annual pest control of the house (about $200), and everything is OK for me.



If I see one in the garden I go in the other direction, simple :)



When you mention "Huge Spiders" and "giant insects", they are just normal sized ones, not really big.

Answer 5

Me ; absolute total arachnophobe, my only defence is I bought an extra bit of pipe for the vacuum cleaner so I don't have to get so close to suck them off the wall if I see one. If you have bug screens on your windows it's good. The little say 4 inch geckos that get in are in a way a blessing, they chase down anything and eat it before you ever new it was there. You very rarely see a snake, maybe twice in a lifetime if your lucky, and one of them will be dead on a country road. Our biggest normal spider is the huntsman, no web, usually heads for the wide open wall, not poisonous, easily remedied by vacuum cleaner as above. Make sure you wind your car windows up under trees just in case something with 8 legs get's in after dark, otherwise you'll be fine. If my heart still beats you'll make it!

Answer 6

No, it's a wild exaggeration.

Don't believe everthing you hear.



There are thousands of Aussies who are terrified of insects and spiders.

They live here quite happily. There's never been a mass migration of arachnophobics out of Australia.



What would make you think our houses are infested with lizards, spiders and giant insects?



We're not cave dwellers you know.

I don't think you'll have any problems with the "wildlife".

You'll be just fine. Merry Christmas.

Answer 7

huge spiders and lots of other creatures like geckos and giant insects living in houses of their own

they don't live in our houses as they are too small for the creepy-crawlies to get into





you don't understand me the creepy-crawlies in Australia grow to about 15 feet tall so cant get into your room so you are safe inside

Answer 8

We have geckos in & around our home & they are common in Queensland but they are cute , harmless & keep insects under control.



Spiders are like anywhere else ...sure we have them but you can easily keep them under control.



Snakes also are part of life here ...personally I keep a carpet python in my ceiling & that way have no problems with mice , rats or possums but that is a personal choice !