Tom, My commiserations. I have had a (irrational) fear of spiders since I was young. Nothing is more guaranteed to set my heart racing that the thought of facing a hairy legged arachnid (and they have some bloody big housespiders in the UK). I know they (shouldn't) don't hurt me and they do a very good job at keeping the insect population under control, hence it is an irrational fear, but doesn't stop me from doing a runner when I spot a large variety. I don't believe in killing them, so they get free reign in the garden shed(s) but I try to explain nicely that they can't have the house as well and most of the times it seems to work but the odd occasions where we meet on my territory, I am the one leaving until they disappear; embarassing at times to admit you slept on the couch because the spider has occupied the bedroom. Nice to know I am not alone. Sage