I am</em arachnophobic, and if shoes indoors have gone unused for too long (winter boots and the like) I make Husband investigate them thoroughly, shake them out (outside!) and then wipe them out with a bleach wipe. “To catch the eggs I’m sure they left behind.”
Some days it’s a wonder we leave the house at all.
In Canada, that behaviour might be considered arachnophobic but in Australia I feel like it’s just self-preservation common sense tactics. You guys have scary stuff down there. At least that’s what the TV has taught me. That everything in Australia is trying to kill you.
That is a good point. However, the spiders I am most concerned about are huntsmans. They are big and leggy, but not venomous or even particularly aggressive. But having one of those surprise-scuttle over you changes you. And your priorities.
Silence Killed The Dinosaurs 
I am</em arachnophobic, and if shoes indoors have gone unused for too long (winter boots and the like) I make Husband investigate them thoroughly, shake them out (outside!) and then wipe them out with a bleach wipe. “To catch the eggs I’m sure they left behind.”
Some days it’s a wonder we leave the house at all.
Indoor shoes always get shaken and slammed on the floor several times to be sure… I would never leave shoes outside under any circumstances.
Glad I am not alone.
In Canada, that behaviour might be considered arachnophobic but in Australia I feel like it’s just self-preservation common sense tactics. You guys have scary stuff down there. At least that’s what the TV has taught me. That everything in Australia is trying to kill you.
Everything except the dinosaurs.
That is a good point. However, the spiders I am most concerned about are huntsmans. They are big and leggy, but not venomous or even particularly aggressive. But having one of those surprise-scuttle over you changes you. And your priorities.
Aren’t they, like, small-plate sized? How could that NOT change you? Like, I now need 20 years of therapy, kind of change?
That’s them.
I 100% would not engage. Throw those boots away. ;)
Haha! Not arachnophobic at all!