My dad found a black widow in our garage one time and he killed it. He let me come out to see it. It was such a pretty spider, beautiful markings. But I was repulsed by it and never forgot that day, actually seeing a poisonous spider up close. YIKES!

Being from the 'Land of Poisonous Everything', I am reading all of this with a quirky grin on my face....... I have grown up with Red Back Spiders, Bird Eating Spiders, Funnel Web Spiders, and the list goes on. You would think that I would be used to them but let me tell you something......they ALL freak me out!!

Like ClaraSue I don't like to kill them but if they are in my house I'm afraid the only other option is to leave everything and move out. I can't afford that so it is the spider who must depart.

Unfortunately my other half is deathly terrified of them so 'Operation Spider Rid' usually ends up being a 3 hour event in which we both stand around staring at the spider trying to figure out who gets the job of catching or killing it.

Needless to say, the image of 2 grown adults trying to deal with 1 spider usually has our friends and neighbours in fits of laughter...

I have seen pictures of Funnel web spiders from Australia, and I think those are some of the scariest looking spiders I have ever seen! How would you get rid of one if it came into you house? I would be too afraid to go near it out of fear of being attacked and bitten!

When my daughters were only babies, I found a funnel-web in the house, not far from where they were playing. I made sure they were far enough away, and proceeded to belt the tripe out of the spider with a straw broom.

I also found one at the bottom of our swimmimg pool- they submerge themselves with a small air bubble, and can stay there for hours. In summer it is prudent to check before you dive in.

They seem to be less common these days, but I think it is only because of the drought we are in, and contrary to popular belief, they do NOT jump. (Thank goodness!)

Never seen one but funnel webs aren't big, are they, Ozzz?
I have no problem with small spiders, up to maybe a 20c bit, but any bigger and I'm a raving looney. Small posionous ones are fine, large harmless ones are the spawn of satan. Makes no sense I know but I guess that is the nature of the phobia.

They're bigger than a 20c piece but not huge. Although, if it's in your house it doesn't matter how big it is, what matters is how fast you can run!!

LOL!! I bet! For the most part though, they stay outside do they?

Funnel webs are about 3-4 cms long, but look vicious when they rear up- you can almost see their fangs dripping poison! They are not as big as a Huntsman, but a damn sight more dangerous.

They generally stay outside, but not exclusively so. Give me a Daddy Longlegs any day- they are great for keeping the flies down.

I am not clicking any of your links, I think you are trying to give me the heeby jeebies!