How often are *shudders* THEY sighted? (apartment, homes, university)

[Maddyhc]

I am from England and am extremely aracniphobic. Here we only have tiny, non poisonous spiders, but even so, whenever I see one I freak out big time. I'm planning to do american studies at university next year which will take me to Mississippi for a whole year, and it's just hit me that there will be BIG spiders there. So, can anyone tell me how often it is that you see a BIG spider, and I mean one that's bigger than the inside of your palm. Is it an every day occurance, or only occasionally that you would come across one?
I want to find a cure for my phobia because it's more about KNOWING they're there rather than when I actually see them. But I can't even look at those massive ones on the computer screen without freaking out, so I think I'd have a series of heart attacks if I saw one in real life. DAM THE SPIDERS!
Ahem. Thank you.

[jacq63]

Well, this one was spotted on the Mississippi River, but it was way up in Illinois, so you should be right! Sorry, I'm a brat!

[cia191630]

I lived on the coast and never saw spiders the size you are describing...you may find a daddy long leg if u venture into wooded areas...lol @ jacq63

[Tama]

If you are concerned about big furry things, they aren't here.They are in the desert. Stay out of gardens and woods and you will be hard-pressed to find anything worth worrying about. That being said there are brown recluse spiders in homes sometimes but they are usually in hidden dark areas, so if you keep your living space nice and tidy--no problem there. Don't pick up rocks--Black Widow. Stick to the library where you belong. Just kidding with you a bit. LOL. Such fears can be debilitating but why don't you google spiders in Mississippi and see where they dwell and that might help give you confidence. There are no guarantees--but I haven't seen a spider of size in years.

[Maddyhc]

For just a second, I actually believed that picture!
*shudders uncontrollably on floor*

[Robert_J]

THere are a number of spiders here in northwest MS. In the yard I will see at least a dozen black widows every summer. That is the main reason I wear gloves most of the time. I've seen one put a 300 pound guy in the hospital. We are also known as the brown recluse capital of the south. I haven't seen one but they are known to be very sneaky.

Grand-daddy longlegs and a dozen or so non-poisonous varieties are all over my yard. I just leave them along to eat the bugs and they go about their business.

I'm sure you didn't want to hear this but there are spiders here. We just live with them and go about our lives. For the nasty ones I mentioned, I do use a spray that will kill them in seconds.

-Robert

[jacq63]

Maddy, I forgot to mention I'm also majoring in American Studies, so if you're too put off by the spidy-widies, give your work (and student visa) to me and I'll take your place! I really, honestly, do not mind.

I wouldn't advise you swapping with me geographically though, we have a Huntsman living in our hallway right now, and I don't need to tell you about the other creepy-crawlies in Oz. Some of them aren't even human!

[prairiestate]

At least you aren't worried about the giant, flying roaches that are everywhere!

[Maddyhc]

Well I have just seen a most disturbing vidio on youtube featuring a brazilian bird eating spider attacking and eating a mouse. Poison or no poison- give me the widow any day!
Thanks guys for your replies. I think I'm just going to face the fear and go- even if I can't sleep for the first few weeks, eventually I'll get used to it. It'll be well worth it because I've been hoarding a strange obsession with the southern states of america for quite some time and it's gonna be so great to finally go!

[Tama]

Good for you! I also came from a not so buggy place and I screamed at spiders and crawlies. My first apartment was near a large woodsy area and at night when the the dark came and the street lights shone bugs of all kinds of descriptions came out and I remember my horror. Like I said before, in cultivated places not so much--- and guess what?? I got so used to it, I don't even think about it now. It might be a great way to calm the fear you have and you will get a bonus from your stay in MS! Welcome!