Creepy crawlies in the Highway area

By Nick Evans, KZN Amphibian Reptile Conservation

WHEN many people see a spider, their immediate reaction is to squish it.

Spiders have a tough life with humans around. It is sad so few people actually realise how important a job spiders have around our homes, nor do they realise just how amazing spiders are.

This article hopes to help you understand spiders a little bit better.

Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia is the official term for the fear of spiders. Some people are just born with it, but much of it is due to a lack of education about spiders.

Like snakes, myths and scary, over-exaggerated stories are told about spiders, certainly don’t help people with this fear.

So how can one overcome their arachnophobia?

Well, being more exposed to spiders will slowly help.

Perhaps start off by reading about them.

Their anatomy, adaptions, hunting method, web-casting techniques are just extraordinary.

Try this, even if you don’t look at photos at first. Then, looking at spiders (in tanks at pet shops or other facilities, or in the garden) may be less difficult.

Why should I not kill spiders around the house?

They do not want to crawl on us or bite us, even though this does happen now and then.

Spiders are drawn to homes because there’s usually an abundance of insects around for them to eat.

Spiders are crucial to any functioning ecosystem. The spiders who make webs in corners of the house, the Jumping Spiders who are seen roaming on our walls, the ground-dwelling spiders, they’re all doing us a favour.

They’re capturing and eating flies and mosquitoes, as well as controlling the numbers of other insects keeping our environment healthy.

Spiders are an important food source for other animals, such as birds.

How can I help conserve spiders, to contribute to

a healthy living environment?

Sadly, spider numbers are on the decline.

The widespread use of pesticides would be a major factor.

People spray poisons around the garden or home without realising the devastating effect these poisons have.

If you want a wildlife-friendly garden, don’t use pesticides.

If you plant an indigenous garden, you will attract many insects. Nature will then find a way to control these insect numbers, you don’t have to.

Spiders and Praying Mantises will move in to feast on these insects, as will the birds and lizards, who’ll feed on the spiders etc.

If there’s an unwanted spider in the house, don’t kill it. Rather relocate it outside. Place a glass jar or cup over the spider, slide a piece of paper under the jar/cup, trapping the spider inside.

Then empty the spider outside into the garden.

For emergency rescues you can contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806, or for snake awareness/educational work, e-mail nickevanskzn@gmail.com or visit www.kznamphibian reptileconservation.com.