spider in the shower... Australia

[MineralMan]

45. Many people have visceral, negative reactions to spider, snakes,

and other critters. I understand that. I lived for 35 years on the Central Coast of California. Black widow heaven. If asked, I could find a black widow in my house in less than 30 seconds.

Fortunately, those spiders are experts at staying out of sight. As long as I didn't see them, I left them alone. But, I knew where they were likely to be, and took careful precautions when moving furniture and reaching into places. If I saw them, I killed them. But, if I didn't see them, I didn't go hunting for them.

I never got a black widow bite in my entire time in California. I was aware that they were there, but didn't hunt them down. It took a while, but my wife, who grew up in a different place, even got used to that strategy for them. Eradicating them is impossible in that area, so a guy has to learn about them and avoid them. They hide very well, so it's not too difficult.