Johnson: Resist urge to kill that spider

They are so creepy they have their very own phobia named after them, just a hint of their presence can be enough to keep some folks up all night in sheer terror, and if you haven’t noticed them around more lately, rest assured you will.

In search of ponies

Spiders are ever-present in the High Plains, which also has the distinction of being home to some better-known arachnids, including tarantulas, black widows, brown recluses and copious populations of wolf, weaver, orb, jumping and other common spiders.

In the cold months they seek shelter, which includes bravely migrating into homes — who wouldn’t want central heating — and in the summer, they trek outdoors and set up shop, spinning monstrous webs or just hanging out in wait for dinner to stroll by.

It may be normal for them, but these seasonal activities aren’t a pleasant sight for a fair number of folks who would sooner pack up and move than share space with spiders.

It’s not hard to see how they earn their reputation – eight robotic legs, beady little eyes, ominous fangs, quick reflexes that allow them to jump, flexibility that empowers them to scale walls and don’t forget the icky-sticky, semi-invisible webs that cling to you when stumbled into by mistake – Yep, among critters, spiders deserve an award for representing all things creepy.

Plus they eat other living things, and even though their meals are far from human-size, just the idea of them munching on the unfortunate prey that gets trapped in their webs feeds into a pretty disturbing overall image.

As public images go, it also doesn’t weigh in their favor that a select few have the added weapon of poison that can be dangerous and even deadly to humans, a fact that often results in an indiscriminate kill-them-all perspective being extended to any spider that makes the mistake of wandering within eyeshot.

The truth of the matter — something phobias don’t have much time for — is that spiders aren’t interested in people or other web-crashing, life-smooshing gargantuan creatures, which wouldn’t exist if only their utopian dreams were a reality.

They, quite frankly, have better things to do with their short lives, and eating as many of the critters that do terrorize and annoy us giants as they can is at the top of their list, which makes them… brace yourself… our allies and benefactors.

With voracious appetites supported by incredible hunting skills, it’s estimated each spider eats about 2,000 insects per year, which incidentally, includes bugs that do bite, feed on, sting and, in general, annoy us, in addition to destroying our yards and gardens.

Not only should we resist the overpowering urge to knock down webs, smash, crush, swat, and spray them with insecticides, experts actually recommend inviting spiders to take up residence.

According to Cornell University, to encourage spiders in the garden:

• Use mulch to provide protection and humidity.

• Provide places such as crates, hay bales and tall plants for web attachment or homes.

• Grow flowers that attract prey.

• Spray pesticides at times spiders are less active or use a pesticide with lower risk to spiders.

• Leave untilled areas or plants stalks behind for winter habitats.

Some will never be able to relax knowing spiders are hunting in their vicinity, however as summer in the High Plains thrives, so thrive the pests, and comfort can be found in knowing nature has ways of balancing the scales.

Besides, if one spider equals a couple thousand flies not landing in the fruit salad or swimming in the morning coffee, dodging a web here and there hardly seems like a sacrifice.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected]