SPIDERS!!

[PsYcHo]

I'm not afraid of spiders at all (I had several tarantulas as pets over the years, and even will pick up wild ones to save them from the asphalt squishing), but my shed has been overrun with them. My partner, however, is an arachnophobe. She has conceded to me to allow two spiders to inhabit our house, since they actively eat the small fruit flies that have also tried to co-exist with us. But if any insects come into her view, a shriek is heard followed by my name and "GET IT OUT!!!"

My issue is the shed. There are at least 20 spiders living there, with many egg sacs. I've considered two options. 1- Poison them for a quick death. 2- Try to use a broom to sweep the nests and spiders outside. I would prefer 2, but I'm concerned they may make it to our house and take up residence there. (And if they do, it will be spider armageddon. )

[_Doc]

I voted before reading... I thought it was just general for a single spider. But, if it is something that big that changes things. The only other thought that pops into my head is to smoke them out? Otherwise, I might just poison them if it is that large of an infestation.

[brimstoneSalad]

I would sweep the spiders out, or vacuum them up and dump them somewhere else. Vacuum would probably be easier.

[_Doc]

Didn't even think of a vacuum. That's a good idea. I might have to remember that idea if I ever have that problem.

[PsYcHo]

I hadn't considered vacuum. We just bought the house, and I don't even own a decent one yet, so the sweeping option may be the best.

[Jamie in Chile]

I reckon sweeping and then deposit far from the house.

When I am alerted to a spider in the house, I go and get a cup and place it over the spider. I then slide a piece of paper, cardboard, mat etc underneath, trapping the spider. I then carry it and tip it outside. It seems to me that nearly all survive this process.

In Chile, there is one spider than can kill, which complicates things a bit. So I have to have a quick look first and make sure it isn't that one.

[PsYcHo]

In Chile, there is one spider than can kill, which complicates things a bit. So I have to have a quick look first and make sure it isn't that one.

Wow, I'm impressed that you'd still rescue the ones you can. I once caught what I thought was a brown recluse spider, but it turned out to be just a common garden spider. Had to laugh because I was terrified at the time of being bitten (they aren't necessarily deadly, but they can be and will cause the skin to rot around the bite wound.)

I used to work in confined spaces, and it was common to encounter black widows. They tend to keep to themselves though, just like the imported orange widow.

If it were just me, I'd let the spiders stay as long as they weren't in a place that I needed to be. But it's really like a scene from the old movie "Arachnopobia". (dating myself here..) Webs and sacs EVERYWHERE..