Spider bros and arachnophobia: More on 8-legged creatures 

Back in my landscaping days, yes, when I had a real job, there was a property our crew frequented that was rife with spiders. 

The home, which I can’t for the life of me remember where it is, was surrounded by lush lawns and lavish flower beds. Scattered across the grounds were pine trees, many surrounded by azalea bushes, the flowers of which ranged from solid white to rich pinks and red. The place looked like a mini–Augusta National. 

Each year after the shrubs shed their magnificent blooms, the landscapers were called in for annual pruning. For the uninitiated, azaleas must be pruned before the new buds set in or it won’t bloom the following year. The job was tedious, strenuous and less than enjoyable. For starters because such large tasks can be daunting, and second, the azaleas were home to countless yellow garden spiders. 

Garden spiders are the most common arachnid encountered in the United States and range from Canada to Colombia. They are hardy creatures, with the females growing beyond an inch in body length, with spindly legs spanning longer than that. The spiders would craft their massive webs from the towering trees to the azaleas below. Many could be seen suspended in midair from the silk spun from their backsides, while others would be discovered crawling up arms and legs of the person working in the jungle of azalea limbs. Thankfully the venom of garden spiders is non-toxic, but somebody was ending the day with a couple of itchy welts. 

These yellow bugs are vital to the local ecosystem of course, each devouring their fair share of other pesky or dangerous insects. I’m not opposed to befriending a “spider bro,” the internet trend of allowing a spider to co-exist in my environment because it is more useful that harmful. Walking around my own house now, I’ve noticed a few large, yellow garden spiders taking up residence in the trees. 

So far, it’s not a problem, but it could become one. I’ve learned that my son has developed a good case of arachnophobia. When or how this fear developed is a mystery. He’s never suffered a serious spider bite, so the whole thing seems irrational to me, but I’m no psychologist. When I was a kid, I was terrified of “E.T.,” the family-friendly movie about kids befriending an alien, so what do I know? That movie was everywhere, and the toys, posters and other promotional products left me frozen in my tracks. 

I certainly haven’t shared the story of wading through spider-infested azaleas, that would surely lead to nightmares. The arraignment with the spider also remains my little secret; no sense in getting anybody else involved. 

Fears, like habits, change over time I suppose. If spiders are the only thing he has to be afraid of, then that seems like a pretty good life. I’m sure he’ll get over it as he gets older. 

Then again, I’ve never watched “E.T.”

You can reach Kyle Dominy at k.l.dominy@gmail.com or write to 115 S. Jefferson St. Dublin, Georgia 31021.