This post brought to you by The Orkin Ecologist. All opinions are 100% mine.
I’ve developed an odd habit of catching bugs with glasses. If I see a bug, I’ll find an empty glass and catch the bug under it. Flies, spiders, anything that’s creepy or crawly will get caught with a glass. Why? Because then I don’t have to deal with the “what if I miss with the napkin and it jumps at me and crawls up my arm?” *shudder*
One of the spiders I caught under a glass.
I recently read an article about the top 10 bug phobias. The fear of insects in general – that is, the fear of anything with six legs (and looks like it wants to eat you) – is called Entomophobia. Spiders don’t have six legs. They have eight. And they have their own “obia”. The more familiar Arachnophobia.
Living in the mountains has definitely made me more comfortable with bugs. Not that I like bugs, but I accept that trying to rid the house of all things with more than 4 legs would be pretty difficult. One thing that I’m learning more is that while I may yell “SPIDER!” if they keep their distance, and I keep mine, we can get along quite well.
While being quite scary, I know that this garden spider helps keep the flying bugs away.
While I can certainly understand (and relate) to a fear of bugs, one of the best ways to overcome a fear is to learn more about what you’re afraid of. Knowledge will empower you and help you to discern the truth about the fear instead of letting your emotions get the better of you. For example, the truth is I’ve never had a spider dodge a napkin and jump at me.
One place you can find more information about bug phobias and bugs in general is Orkin’s The Ecologist. This site is a great resource for inquiring minds and science lovers, with a variety of articles about bugs – ranging from learning how spiders build the perfect web to how insects are used in medicine. For more bug information, you can also Like the Orkin Ecologist on Facebook and Follow the Orkin Ecologist on Pinterest.
Do you have a #BugOut story? Leave a comment below or share it online with hashtag #BugOut.
Kayla says
November 15, 2013 at 12:41 pmI’m not afraid of bugs I just don’t like to be surprised by them.
Debra Holloway says
November 15, 2013 at 4:30 pmI hate bugs and spiders. I am not afraid of them. I had a huge spider bite me in my sleep and from that point on I kill them.
md Kennedy says
November 15, 2013 at 5:57 pmOMG! PLEEEAAAASSSEE don’t post another pic of a SP_ _ ER again! Yes, I am mortifyingly afraid of them and even a picture gives me the willies! Don’t know why Noah let them on the Ark!
Linda Moore says
November 16, 2013 at 6:55 pmI use to take pictures of every bug I saw that I had not ever seen before. I was lucky enough to get a beautiful pic of a Luna Moth and that same summer the cicada’s when they were coming out of their shells. It was awesome. I posted them on a site about bugs(can’t remember the name right now) and learned so much about all kinds of bugs. But spiders, I stay away from them. I do not like them at all.. Other bugs fascinate me though and I love taking pictures of them. Thanks for sharing… 🙂
Evangelia Kollia says
November 19, 2013 at 8:41 amWell you can’t tell spiders are the most beautiful creatures!!!!