# It's unfortunate that I had to burn my house down **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 2, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815 "2013-09-02T16:46:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scathach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Scathach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scathach)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/21 "2013-09-02T21:59:45Z")
[http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/ymy7u5ej.jpg](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/ymy7u5ej.jpg) This guy is one of about 4 we’ve found in our house in the last week. We’ve been releasing them outside but I’m beginning to worry they’re getting back in… (Frankly, they’re so big I wouldn’t be surprised if they just walked back to the door and knocked :o) ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/22 "2013-09-02T22:44:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Looks like a [giant house spider](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_house_spider). NO. No, no, no, no, no. “Giant House Spider” should not be a thing, and they certainly should not be in a house. I [del]recommend[/del] demand they all be erased from existence by the end of the year, then we all go down to Total Recall and get new memories without any memory or mention of such a creature ever existing. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/23 "2013-09-02T22:51:10Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > “Giant House Spider” should not be a thing, and they certainly should not be in a house. Oh, but they are a thing. They are definitely a thing. And they live in houses. Maybe even _your_ house! :eek: Personally, I always look forward to Autumn when I can catch them and let them go outside. (Near the house, though, so they can find their way underneath and eat all the nasty things.) I wonder if the new cat will find any and get to them before I do? That would be unfortunate for the GHSs, but probably fun for the cat. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/24 "2013-09-02T22:59:26Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > She was as big as a Buick. Whatever you say, Woody. mmm ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/25 "2013-09-02T23:23:05Z")
Well, at least this one wasn’t in the house. I’m pretty sure if I ever need a parachute, a replacement heart valve, or a winch I’d like this spider to be in charge of design and manufacture. I’ve never seen a garden spider this big before in my life, and I can’t believe it stopped a cicada. [http://i.imgur.com/VJIFwAX.jpg](http://imgur.com/VJIFwAX) ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/26 "2013-09-02T23:26:31Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Whatever you say, Woody. > mmm Did you want me to capture and rehabilitate him? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/27 "2013-09-02T23:36:32Z")
Met a girl, something about a bath, burning a house down. Was this what John Lennon was singing about? ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/28 "2013-09-02T23:38:16Z")
Nuke the site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/29 "2013-09-02T23:53:49Z")
Now that’s a thing that sure can sweep you off your feet… ♩ Burning down the house ♬ ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/30 "2013-09-03T12:56:17Z")
Unacceptable. [Fire GOOD!](http://klipd.com/watch/the-thing/spider-flame-thrower-scene) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/31 "2013-09-03T13:02:42Z")
But spiders are supposed to be good luck! (I don’t believe in superstitions at all, but I grew up with the notion that one should never kill a spider, and I just leave them alone. Then again, I’ve never seen spiders anywhere near those sizes in my house.) ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/32 "2013-09-03T14:21:09Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > But spiders are supposed to be good luck! (I don’t believe in superstitions at all, but I grew up with the notion that one should never kill a spider, and I just leave them alone. Then again, I’ve never seen spiders anywhere near those sizes in my house.) Kill 'em hell, I paid them off. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/33 "2013-09-03T14:27:53Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > NO. > No, no, no, no, no. > > “Giant House Spider” should not be a thing, and they certainly should not be in a house. > > I [del]recommend[/del] demand they all be erased from existence by the end of the year, then we all go down to Total Recall and get new memories without any memory or mention of such a creature ever existing. I think you misunderstood. I believe the phrase means that the spider is the size of a giant house. Pleasant dreams! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/34 "2013-09-03T14:40:23Z")
I captured a huge wolf spider in our garage a few years ago. I told my gf I had to go have sex with Beverly, but she thought that was overreacting. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/35 "2013-09-03T16:27:00Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > I may have you beat. I thought this beast was a mouse running across my foot. [http://i.imgur.com/F5UsUVe.jpg](http://imgur.com/F5UsUVe) > > And yes, that’s a quarter. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve posted this before, but [here’s one I caught a couple of years ago](http://www.flickr.com/photos/27492458@N05/6102270164/). Yes, I still cook in that baking dish. Inflation is getting out of hand. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/36 "2013-09-03T16:33:51Z")
You guys are wimps. Come back when you find something like [this](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5v79wWmEBo/TdZrMyp49EI/AAAAAAAAh08/5AXQ3r9UEN0/s320/Day+9+%252838%2529.JPG) in your tub. (seen at the May Natural History Museum) ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/37 "2013-09-03T16:45:10Z")
So I told myself that I wouldn’t click on the link in the OP and then I did anyway, damn it. I’m proud to say I ignored the rest of your links, though. I feel like I should vacuum or something… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/38 "2013-09-03T17:37:39Z")
♪ ♪ \*Be kind to your eight-legged friends! That spider is somebody’s mother Each mommy lays thousands of eggs Think of all those crawly legs! When you see cobwebs on the ceiling Remember a spider has been there Dropping down from above your head While you’re asleep in bed Keeping your home free of bugs Lovely spiders! Lovely spiders! Eight-legged hugs!\* ♪ ♪ ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/39 "2013-09-03T17:40:11Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > Well, at least this one wasn’t in the house. I’m pretty sure if I ever need a parachute, a replacement heart valve, or a winch I’d like this spider to be in charge of design and manufacture. I’ve never seen a garden spider this big before in my life, and I can’t believe it stopped a cicada. [http://i.imgur.com/VJIFwAX.jpg](http://imgur.com/VJIFwAX) Aaaaggggh! Stop posting! I’m not really all that creeped out by spiders, but your pics have my skin crawling…yeesh. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815/40 "2013-09-03T18:00:26Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > I may have you beat. I thought this beast was a mouse running across my foot. [http://i.imgur.com/F5UsUVe.jpg](http://imgur.com/F5UsUVe) > > And yes, that’s a quarter. :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unfortunate-that-i-had-to-burn-my-house-down/667815.md?page=3)