I’m arachnophobic (sp?). Is there a way to eliminate the creepy bastards from my patio & deck in summer? None of the sprays, like Raid or whatever, seemed to work last summer. Fuckers are everywhere. Closing in fast. Help?
Spiders are great, they eat other bugs!
Think of spiders as “friends” 
This OP is awesome; laughed my ass off. I have no help, but I hpe you stick around because that was funny as hell.
When I first moved into my house, wolf spiders were a problem.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=333639&highlight=spider
I have been killing them and trying to make the environment less hospitable for them. I see far fewer now than when I moved in a coupla years ago. Be vigilant and strong, you will win this fight!
When I lived in Australia, I made sure I had one of these critters living inside my place. When I did, I never had flies, mozzies or other bugs to worry about. Never had to use sprays, either.
Don’t listen to him! He’s part of the Great Arachnid Conspiracy, working for the Spider Archduke himself!
OK, I understand how spiders help keep other bugs at bay, and I respect that. I don’t go hunting them down or spray for them. But if I see one, I’m stomping it. Why? Because if the numbnuts lets itself get seen by my gigantic ass, it’s probably not all that effective at keeping the other bugs down. Survival of the fittest/biggest boots and all that.
I’m bumping this to try to get a serious answer. I’m not looking for bug pics (although pics of naked chicks will be appreciated). Is there any way to eliminate or discourage this plague? My wife quit smoking last year, and I have to smoke outside. Fuckers drop on my head like they’re getting paid per landing. Yeah, I’m freaked.
Sssshhhhh! Spiders may be monitoring this thread as we speak!
Serious answer is that, if you’re outside, there’s probably not a lot you can do about it. What kind of spider-friendly environment is above you? Perhaps you could modify that to be less inviting?
A recent thread came up with this:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=417945&highlight=contraception
Relevant link:
|Sprinkling the dried form of the herb is also known to repel spiders. The oil can also be used to deter ants.|
Hijack:
after seeing the new Charlotte’s Web, I can’t bring myself to kill spiders anymore. If it’s in a high corner on the wall, I try not to think about it. If it’s crawling on the floor, I scoop it in a cup with a piece of paper and put it outside while fighting a mild case of the “willies”
So that was your clock?
If the area you have a problem with them can be closed up occasionally a no pest strip could be used. I wouldn’t put one where any pets or family members would spend time. We use them in the outhouse at the lake and they make life much easier for me, as i don’t have to do a spider check before the gal’s use the privy.
We used to see them around as a “Shell No Pest Strip” I am not sure if thats the way they are marketed now but they are still around.
You could go with a closed/covered deck, which reduces the currently open access that they have now. Thing is, the spiders live outside, and if you want some modicum of control, you’ll have to impose some sort of cover or structure to reduce access.
“Hot Shot No Pest Strip”
http://www.hotshotbrand.com/ProductCategories/IndoorInsecticides/NoPestStrip/