Why little bugs don't bother me

Like most girls, I'm not a big fan of creepy-crawlies. They're just not my favourite creatures, for obvious reasons.

However, on occasion at work (if there are no men about) I have been called upon to dispose of the occasional errant insect that may have happened to find it's way inside the office.

Don't get me wrong, I don't LIKE picking up bugs -I just don't mind it too much. When I was questioned by a fellow co-worker as to the roots of my bravery, I explained that I grew up in an area where little beetles are the least of your concerns.

Meet the Golden Orb Spider. He’s harmless to humans. I have several of these living in my backyard in Australia.

Take a close look, people. THIS IS WHAT HARMLESS SPIDERS LOOK LIKE IN AUSTRALIA. Let that sink in.

Yes. He's eating a bird.

Ok, so to be fair, this is NOT a common occurrence… It's not like these spiders are absolutely everywhere, making webs in peoples houses, catching birds all over the place.

Usually Golden Orb spiders just eat big insects. This unlucky bird was an anomaly, and made the front page of the paper. But they DO have very strong webs –trust me, I’ve walked through enough of them. Ugh. It’s like walking into stretchy yellow dental floss. Spider experts say that this particular, unfortunate bird probably died of fright and dehydration and exhaustion, along with the venom. I’ve never heard of anyone ever being bitten by a Golden Orb spider, and apparently the only result would be a little nausea, and pain and swelling at the bite. Suggested treatment is ice on the wound and an Advil.

Although my guess would be that the MAIN reason no one has ever reported being bitten or dying from one of these guys is because as soon as you see it (even if you're 50 feet away from it, and haven't come close to touching it) you run away screaming “Omigod, OMIGOD, is it on me? Get it off me GET IT OFFFFFFFFFFFF MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

But even though I'm not terrified of little insects, I don't like coming into contact with them, and shortly after I've pushed them out the door or window I have a shivery compulsive mini breakdown.

Actually, hyperboleandahalf summarizes aversion to spiders quite well here.

PS: The Golden Orb is NOT to be confused with the Eastern Tarantula, otherwise known as the “Bird-eating spider”, one of which we had living in our letterbox….