Okay I've admitted this a million times in my life so the shame is close to gone but my arachnophobia is the worst of any person I've ever met in my life. So bad that I actively search for them when I'm in unknown places so I can better avoid them. It was a running theme for a large portion of my life, thankfully no longer, that I needed to search all the corners and cracks in my room before getting to sleep.

It's also one of the reasons I've taken so much more to Infiltration style exploring over abandoned places. I'd like that to change, I'm tired of it ruining experiences for me, and that's why I'm preparing and asking in advance of some outings to completely abandoned structures.

How bad can it get?

I mean I realize that chances are high to find spiders, but are the movie depictions of entire hallways caked in them or having to push through webs all fantasy or is there some fact?

Basically what I'm asking is share your worst spider/bug stories and let me know what I realistically should expect.

They tend to vanish in winter.

One word of warning: never use a torch in a small tunnel, as the spiders will all descend from the ceiling to escape the smoke.

Almost all spiders in North America are harmless especially in Canada.
The brown recluse and the hobo spiders are the worst. You don't have hobos and I think you're too far north for the recluse.
I didn't even mention black widows as they are shy and never aggressive. Literally to only way to get bite by one is to inadvertently pin or crush it.

Some spiders around water will chase you literally but they aren't lethal or even dangerous. Most spiders can bite but it's little more a mosquito bite.

The only spider I will kill on sight is the recluse. To spite their name they bite more than their share of people. While their bite is seldom lethal it can cause a lot of tissue damage in some people, others don't react like that. Worse they like to live around houses and people.
However compared to something like the Australian funnel spider that can kill with one bite, the recluse is nothing.

Spiders, especially jumping spiders and black windows are fascinating to observe.
I suggest you take the time to learn and observe what you fear.

Falls and hellholes are what should scare you, not spiders. You need to at least control your fear so you don't make a mistake in a dangerous site and injure -yourself-.


These wild spiders look fierce, but you can pick them up if you handle them gently without being bite.
He was reluctant so I didn't push my luck

Posted by blackhawk These wild spiders look fierce, but you can pick them up if you handle them gently without being bite. He was reluctant so I didn't push my luck

Jesus christ I can barely look at that photo.

I've heard black widows are extremely docile unless you really tick them off. Also we're not too far north for recluses they've been spotted in many Toronto suburbs in the last few years. They're learning to use trees to survive the winters. I realize there's a lot more to worry about and to take caution of, I just need to be realistic because my reactions to them could put me in bad situations. Maybe it is time to learn to get over fears.

Posted by Steed They tend to vanish in winter.

Call me a winter explorer then.

As said bugs of all sorts aren't as out in the winter as they are in the summer. I've actually had more of an issue with spiders in my own backyard over abandoned schools/prisons/buildings since I stay in main areas and they typically choose high corners or crevices. I find that if I don't go looking for them they won't come looking for me.

I think your main issue would be going through woods/trees to get to an abandonment. I've accidentally run into webs so many times and I know with that fear whether there was a spider or not you'd probably be paranoid about it the remaining trip. So as long as you walk slow and keep a look out I think you would be fine.

My friend who has the same fear found that it made her feel better by learning about the spiders in her state (through words and photos not irl of course). That way she could know what to look for and know how dangerous each one was? Maybe try that? Anyway I hope it doesn't bother your exploring too much, good luck!

The worst I've seen are spiders that are larger than I normally see hanging out like there is nothing wrong with it (there is, they should be dead and not seen by me ever, obviously).

I am pretty bad with spiders, that picture makes me want to puke and run; but I've not had much happen with them in my explores. I've certainly never seen a hallway caked in them (fire is the only solution for that and fire isn't compatible with abandonments)!

As for webs I frequently find sticks or other similar objects that do not have webs on them and then clear the webs out of my path. Actually I do this anywhere including the rare occasions when I open my garage. I also wear plenty of clothing bc if a spider (or other bug - I'm looking at you centipedes) somehow gets on me it's not on my skin.

Don't ever go up to the viewing platform on the 28th floor of Buffalo City Hall.

Posted by mahal My friend who has the same fear found that it made her feel better by learning about the spiders in her state (through words and photos not irl of course). That way she could know what to look for and know how dangerous each one was? Maybe try that? Anyway I hope it doesn't bother your exploring too much, good luck!

I have tried some in the past and I plan to try again. I don't think my phobia comes from a "danger" element to be honest but who knows.

Posted by stealthwraith As for webs I frequently find sticks or other similar objects that do not have webs on them and then clear the webs out of my path.Actually I do this anywhere including the rare occasions when I open my garage.

I'll definitely hold on to this tip not just for exploring.

Posted by ahhntzville Don't ever go up to the viewing platform on the 28th floor of Buffalo City Hall.

The American side of Niagara is a spider infested nightmare for me. I once tried to get gas after crossing the border and essentially dove back into my car. The pumps are 95% spider.

I have a pretty strong dislike for spiders that used to be a legit fear. They still creep me the hell out.

Walking in the woods at night is the worst I've ever dealt with them exploring.

In buildings just keep an eye out on the door frames and such. It's not usually a big deal.

blackhawk's displacement psychotherapy.
The practice of replacing an unfounded fear with one that is real and based on fact.
Let me help

word, bedbug

Posted by Paronix Okay I've admitted this a million times in my life so the shame is close to gone but my arachnophobia is the worst of any person I've ever met in my life. So bad that I actively search for them when I'm in unknown places so I can better avoid them. It was a running theme for a large portion of my life, thankfully no longer, that I needed to search all the corners and cracks in my room before getting to sleep. It's also one of the reasons I've taken so much more to Infiltration style exploring over abandoned places. I'd like that to change, I'm tired of it ruining experiences for me, and that's why I'm preparing and asking in advance of some outings to completely abandoned structures. How bad can it get? I mean I realize that chances are high to find spiders, but are the movie depictions of entire hallways caked in them or having to push through webs all fantasy or is there some fact? Basically what I'm asking is share your worst spider/bug stories and let me know what I realistically should expect.

Personally I've only run into one instance where there were a lot of spiders, generally there won't be any in warehouse type buildings from what I can remember. Then again I don't have much of a spider fear so I don't pay attention to them. I'm assuming mainly the big places for spiders would be abandoned houses, even then the spiders are few and far between. You have nothing to worry about honestly, and depending on where you live spiders are typically harmless, which I'm sure you know.

Posted by 4Valhal Walking in the woods at night is the worst I've ever dealt with them exploring. In buildings just keep an eye out on the door frames and such. It's not usually a big deal.

Do you find that deeper into the bowels of a building you see them less? Like I would figure they take shelter near entrances etc but the deeper you go the less you'd see since the food supply might be shorter inside.

Posted by blackhawk Let me help

Your brand of help might be too extreme for me.

Posted by Tribi You have nothing to worry about honestly, and depending on where you live spiders are typically harmless, which I'm sure you know.

The only really nasty ones I think are wandering spiders, brown recluses, and black widows but the widows I know are pretty shy. The actual fear of dying from a bite generally isn't the problem, more so their entire existence, appearance, possibility of danger, and more unexplainable thoughts. I realize it's over the top and irrational but I mean what phobia isn't to an extent, irrational.

Posted by 4Valhal In buildings just keep an eye out on the door frames and such. It's not usually a big deal.

Exactly. I've only had one bad experience with spiders before, but I've just explored buildings. You can always wear gloves too if you do any kind of climbing or general grabbing.

Posted by Paronix Do you find that deeper into the bowels of a building you see them less? Like I would figure they take shelter near entrances etc but the deeper you go the less you'd see since the food supply might be shorter inside.

Spiders are going to be where food is available. Different buildings mean different situations.

Being 100% honest with you - You are thinking about this way too much. Put some gloves on and get out there and you'll quickly realize that it's not near as bad as you are making it out to be in your head.

Shit, take a hefty fly swatter with you if you have to.

Posted by 4Valhal Spiders are going to be where food is available. Different buildings mean different situations. Being 100% honest with you - You are thinking about this way too much. Shit, take a hefty fly swatter with you if you have to.

Spiders require very little food.
Spiders just aren't an issue.
Being an exponentially larger apex predator with an IQ to match this should be a no brainer.

Wait to you meet Mr Fire Ant or Ms Africanized Beez... to start killing frenzy.



And speaking of arachnids you all failed to mention the worst one of them in N America.
The one that carries multiple serious infectious diseases that can be fatal and require medical attention.
The tick.

Posted by blackhawk Spiders require very little food. Spiders just aren't an issue. Being an exponentially larger apex predator with an IQ to match this should be a no brainer. Wait to you meet Mr Fire Ant or Ms Africanized Beez... to start killing frenzy. And speaking of arachnids you all failed to mention the worst one of them in N America. The one that carries multiple serious infectious diseases that can be fatal and require medical attention. The tick.

I have had problems with ticks before. Ticks are nothing to mess with, either is Lyme disease.

I don't usually have a problem with spiders even though I have seen my fair share of webs. Where I'm from my biggest fear is tics, but I don't find them on me that much either. They do make repellents that you can buy and spray yourself with before going and I've heard good things from people who use them.

Posted by bandoboy463 I don't usually have a problem with spiders even though I have seen my fair share of webs. Where I'm from my biggest fear is tics, but I don't find them on me that much either. They do make repellents that you can buy and spray yourself with before going and I've heard good things from people who use them.

It only takes one. It could easily be in your backyard etc too.
The only way to be sure is a complete search at the end of the day.
The small ones are hard to spot, many times you feel them before you see them.
That's creepy.

Posted by blackhawk It only takes one. It could easily be in your backyard etc too. The only way to be sure is a complete search at the end of the day. The small ones are hard to spot, many times you feel them before you see them. That's creepy.

Coming from Michigan I've only ever had one tick, no idea how, but I've almost experienced no issues with ticks in my life. I know Minnesota is pretty bad for ticks as I used to go there once or twice a year to visit family, same goes with FL.

Posted by 4Valhal Spiders are going to be where food is available. Different buildings mean different situations. Being 100% honest with you - You are thinking about this way too much. Put some gloves on and get out there and you'll quickly realize that it's not near as bad as you are making it out to be in your head. Shit, take a hefty fly swatter with you if you have to.

This.

Gloves and a hat and you're mostly sorted.