Puyallup and Spiders. Help this arachnophobe! (Spokane, Kent: condo, buying a home, neighbourhood)

[msservos]

I am from Singapore where big spiders are never seen (unless in forest settings). And I live in constant fear of spiders each and every day I have been in the States (all of one week).

My hubby and I (and our 5-yr-old) are considering where to move to in the States. Currently, we are in Kent. Moving to Puyallup is strongly being considered. I have various considerations, foremost of which is good schools and a safe neighbourhood for us to raise our son.

But, since I am an arachnophobe (someone with an irrational fear of spiders), the kinds of spiders I am likely to encounter will also play a part in the final decision on where to move. Laugh if you will (I know - it does sound so very silly to allow that to rule your life)

So, could you please tell me what kind of spiders there are in the Puyallup region? Will having insect screens on windows do the job of keeping them out in summer/spring? Should I go for a house without a basement (i.e a condo) in order to minimise chances of encountering them? I can envision the number of you laughing your heads off right now at how silly I appear. But there you have it.

Please suggest something. Any two cents will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[scirocco22]

I really don't think it matters where in western Washington you are ...you're still going to have the same type of spiders in Puyallup as you do in Kent. Most are harmless. In the decades I lived in western part of the state, I never once received a bite from a poisonous spider. I'm thinking that the brown recluse is the most common one in the area but I've never encountered one.

Don't feel alone, most women I know will scream at the sight of a spider and there are some big ones in western Washington. Again, most are harmless.

[msservos]

Thanks for your reply, Sir!

Erm...when you say 'big ones', are they in homes or just in forests/outside? I am seriously considering buying a home in a two-storey condo and living on the second storey, just so I am that much further from those dreaded creatures.

How about Eastern WA then? Hubby mentions Spokane as a possibility. Any ideas?

[PG77]

I moved here in May from Florida and that is all I see around here is spiders. They are all over the place. Outside my door, inside my house, everywhere I turn! As much as I hate those gigantic cockroaches in Florida, these spiders are coming in a close second!

[wannabeaTexan]

Wow, you're not going to get away from spiders around here (W. WA). I'm not scared enough of them to start a post about it, but I do HATE them. I've never been to E. WA, but I would think it isn't any different.

They aren't poisonous, for the most part, but creepy nonetheless. I don't think screens will keep them out, but there must be some kind of bug spray you could use that would help.

I was just talking to a friend who lives in Graham (right next to Puyallup) and she said she gets alot of wood spiders...I noticed alot of those when I lived in Fed Way and now I am in Renton and see mostly those really skinny daddy long-legs that are actually kind of hard to notice if you're not paying attention.

[scirocco22]

Second story in a condo may not be as bad. Just keep vacuuming. I hear that's the best way to keep spiders out of the house is to vacuum well and often, especially in crevices and corners of ceiling and door frames. Don't be shy to just vacuum the webs you see and the spiders themselves. Just be sure to get rid of the bag or empty the cup so they won't escape. I hear that spraying a bit of common household bug spray will help too. I've never used it, though.

Eastern Washington, from what I hear, has more black widows but again, the times I've lived on the east side of the state, I've never encountered a black widow.

[msservos]

Thanks for your replies, guys.

The frown is an indication of how I feel right now...is there ANYWHERE in the States where I can avoid spiders? I don't mind daddy long legs and spiders that are about 1cm in length (inclusive of legs). It's the bigger ones that will have me paralysed!

[Moreta]

You won't get rid or away from the spiders, i've only encountered 1 black widow on this side of the mountains (western) The primary ones I see here as far as inside are the what we call wolf spiders. They will pretty much leave you alone if you leave them alone. Rest are usually just outside sans the daddy long legs which will go or are found anywhere.

[PG77]

Hey, have you ever seen the size of grasshoppers in Florida? I think I have a picture of one if anyone cares to see it. They are huge, but I like grasshoppers.

[msservos]

LOL! I can live with grasshoppers...was actually also considering Florida but hear they have something similar to huge flying cockroaches there? Cockroaches I don't like, flying ones are like 10 times worst! But by far, spiders really control my life.