How To Catch A Spider

Step 1: Why are they scary?

One theory is that the presence of genuinely venomous, dangerous spiders as we evolved gave us an innate fear of them- or at least made this fear easy to acquire. Another theory is that of 'cultural learning'- as impressionable youngsters we learn the fear response from other people's reaction to spiders, and adopt it for ourselves. For some people, it is the way they move, and for others it's the idea of coming upon one suddenly.

Step 2: Keep them out

Some people will never be happy until their home is totally free of spiders. Remember to keep your windows shut in the evenings to stop flying insects getting in. As flies are a spider's favourite food source, it's also worth staying vigilant and getting liberal with the fly spray.

Step 3: Keep it clean

Cleanliness will help keep out spiders as well as flies. Hoover thoroughly, removing any webs, and be careful to move and dust behind all furniture. Clearing away organic waste like old food will help keep flies and other parasites at a minimum.
Seal cracks under doors and around windows, and remove any piles of garden waste from near your walls.

Step 4: Deal some death

Videojug would never sanction spider murder. However, if you can live with yourself, the simplest and quickest way of doing this is with a vacuum cleaner.

Step 5: Trap and release

A more humane approach is to relocate the spider away from your house.
There are contraptions, such as this award winning 'Spider Catcher', which are specifically designed to catch and release spiders without you having to get too close.
If you don't have such technology, place a glass over the spider and then slide a piece of card under the glass, trapping it inside. This avoids any chance of a final break for freedom and requires no specialist equipment. Do it gently, so as not to crush the spider's legs.
If the spider is conveniently near a window or door, it's relatively easy, but a little risky, to coax it onto a sheet of paper and flick it into the great outdoors.