When my daughter was visiting yesterday, she went to grab something downstairs when she suddenly noticed something on the carpet in our family room. Could it be?
A SPIDER!
Not your average little house spider. This one was massive. Its legs stretching out like skeletal fingers. It stood motionless. She yelled; I yelled...all the while her son, Jayden had no idea what the commotion was all about. For a moment we froze!
My heart thudded in my chest; I wasn’t about to let an eight-legged intruder take over. But we were both so scared and there was no knight in shining armor to come to our rescue.
Armed with a glass jar and a piece of cardboard, I approached him. The spider didn’t flinch. It just stared at me—or at least, I imagined it did. With a swift motion and a shaky hand, I trapped it.
VICTORY. Sort of. I still had to flip the jar over and screw the lid on. I did it! He was captured.
We both breathed a sigh of relief as we put the jar and its creepy contents outside.
Later my husband released the unwelcomed visitor (far away from our house I told him) watching it skitter into the darkness. But the victory felt hollow. Because now, every corner of the room feels suspicious. Every tickle on my arm sends a jolt of panic. I keep glancing at the ceiling, the baseboards, the shadows under the couch.
If there was one… there could be more. In fact, there was another one just like this one only a week ago in my living room. I actually saw it hiding by the fireplace as I walked down the stairs! Hubby was home that time.
And that’s the part that really gets under your skin. Not the spider itself—but the idea that it has friends. Quiet ones. Just waiting to make their appearance.
YIKES!
I always think there are more spiders around this time of year - and it turns out there are!
There are Seasonal Surges in Spider Activity.
Spiders are most frequently observed indoors during late summer and early autumn. This period, often called “spider season,” typically spans from August to October, with peak activity in September. During these months, a significant increase in spiders is often noticed in homes.
The heightened visibility during this time is largely due to male spiders actively moving about. They become more mobile as they search for mates, often venturing from secluded spots. This increased wandering makes them more likely to be seen by humans.
Yikes! That is one long legged spider. So glad you trapped it and released it outside. That was interesting to read that spiders come in late summer, as I've seen one or two myself lately. The other day, I saw one in my room, and it crawled under the bed. My bed is high, and I read that spiders don't usually get in beds and such because they are very sensitive to movement, and they really want to be left alone from people, so they usually go in corners or ceilings, etc. You were brave to get that spider, Carrie. Good for you.
ReplyDelete~Sheri