why are people scared of spiders?

Unless they are poisonous, I just leave them alone. There's no reason to be scared of spiders because they trap flies with their web. I think flies are gross and that's why I like spiders.

It is in your genes. Nowadays, there is nothing to be afraid of - the only spiders which are significantly dangerous are far from civilization, where few or even no humans live. However, long ago, in places such as Britain and America, there were dangerous spiders living amongst humans. Of course, long ago, they had moved away from where people are living, but fear of spiders seems to have made a mark on our genes. It affects some people more than others, which is why not all people are afraid of spiders. So, to conclude, as long as you are near civilization, you shouldn't have anything to worry about spiders; the chances are it is harmless! The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia

It was proven and shown on the BBC that women are a lot more scared of spiders because of genetics. Even a small spider can sometimes deliver a nasty bite that could cause a miscarraige in a pregnant woman.

Also, people seem to hate the idea of any thing ticking/itching them unwillingly. People who are scared of spiders usually hate millipedes and other multi-legged beasts.

Hope that helps ;)

I think it is partially genetic in that thousands of years ago we would have been vulnerable to infections from spider bites and bearing in mind once it got dark we had no electric lights to turn on.

Also as kids we tend to copy the beliefs of the adults around us, So when adults show their fea rof spiders, as kids we assume that the adults must be making true statements.

With practice you can overcome a fear of spiders. Afterall, in the main they are our friends and we would be overrun with disease carrying flies etc. without them.

I actually like spiders - won't kill them - pick them up and take them outside. My ex was unspeakably scared of them. She said it was all the hollow spindley legs and the fact they could move at about a hundred miles an hour.

i'm not afraid of daddy long legs, only of larger furry ones. it's not a logical fear, but it's very real and pretty common. it is, to me, all about the legs. when they get in the house, i hate to kill them, if they're not too large i'll try to catch them and release them outside. i have found huntsman spiders (i'm in australia) as big as my hand, in the house, those terrify me. i simply avoid them if they're outside. just looking at photos of spiders gives me the shivers. however, if someone is afraid of daddy long legs, i don't quite get that, but hey, fear is hard to explain. if your friends are afraid of them, then you should respect that.

Really it is just the whole so many legs all touching you at once and the flittery thing with crane flies.

If they keep their distance I'm fine - if they get near me my skin starts to react like it has been touched my lots of light flittery things and I freak.

I am sure it is not logical - I can't help it - believe me I have tried.

tarantulas and most house spiders are as harmless as daddy longleg

spiders.

Its just the hyperbole and the bad rap the spider gets.

This guy isn't tiny, but is about as harmless as they come:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32083154@N02/38073308...

ps: rose, you'll probably get a kick out of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCO56iyBXtU

If only I could answer. I am TERRIFIED of the buggers. But equally I cannot understand why some people are scared of mice. To me they are cute and furry.

I agree with Jane Eyre, I have no idea why they frighten me since they are much smaller than me & pose no threat. However, logical thinking does not work when I see one.