How Many Spiders Do You Eat in Your Sleep?
Have you ever heard the terrifying rumor that every year, while we sleep, we unknowingly swallow an average of eight spiders? This common urban legend has spread like wildfire over the years and has sparked fear and anxiety for many people, causing nightmares and restless nights. In this article, we will debunk this myth and explore the truth about spiders in our beds, how to prevent them from entering the bedroom, and how to overcome arachnophobia.
Fact or Fiction: Debunking the Myth of Swallowing Spiders in Your Sleep
The myth that people swallow spiders while they sleep has been around for decades and has led many people to fear arachnids. However, it couldn’t be further from the truth. The origins of this myth are unclear, but it’s just a myth, not a scientific fact. To swallow a spider, you have to be in a particular position, and they have to be crawling nearby, which is highly unlikely. Spiders are intelligent creatures that usually run in fright from any movement or vibrations they sense. Given that our mouths move subconsciously during sleep, it’s even more unlikely for a spider to go near our mouths.
Moreover, the myth has been thoroughly debunked by scientific evidence. One of the most famous Urban Legend Researchers, Snopes, traced the myth back to an article that was intended as an example of how fast false information could spread on the internet. But over the years, it had gained traction and was passed down from generation to generation.
Therefore, you can rest easy knowing that you don’t swallow spiders at night.
Sleeping with Spiders: The Truth About Insects in Your Bed
While the myth of swallowing spiders is false, spiders and other insects can still enter and reside in your bed. Spiders are attracted to warm, dark, and humid spaces such as bedding, carpets, and corners. There are many other insects that could make your bed their home, including dust mites, bed bugs, and even cockroaches. While these insects may not cause severe harm to humans, they can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
The presence of spiders in your bed could also indicate a spider infestation within your home. Spider infestations occur when multiple spiders inhabit an area, and their numbers increase. They could bring their nets or webs with them and can make your bed their chilling spot without you knowing it. You must take prompt action to prevent spider infestations by keeping your bedroom clean, uncluttered, vacuuming it regularly, and sealing up potential entryways.
Sleeping Soundly: Tips and Tricks to Keep Spiders out of Your Bedroom
Keeping your bedroom spider-free is a matter of taking some sensible precautions:
- Keep your home clean and dust-free. Spiders like to hang out in piles of dirty laundry or newspapers, so it’s essential to keep clutter to a minimum.
- Seal up any potential entryways for spiders. Ensure that your windows, doors, and crawl spaces are secure. Repair any cracks in the walls or ceilings, since cracks can be an entryway for pests.
- Use natural deterrents. Spiders don’t like odors from some natural scents such as mint, eucalyptus, cedar, and lavender, which could keep them away. You can mix essential oils of these scents with a spray bottle full of water and apply it inside and around the house.
The Importance of Regular Mattress Cleaning to Prevent Spider Infestations
It’s essential to regularly inspect mattresses and pillows for spider infestations since they could be a breeding ground for them. Regularly clean them with a vacuum cleaner using a crevice tool to reach tucked areas and ensure to aerate them by exposing them to sunlight. You can use a mattress cover to protect your mattress from spider infestations; it’s essential to wash the cover regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
Overcoming Arachnophobia: Understanding and Tackling the Fear of Spiders
Arachnophobia is a common condition in which individuals have an intense fear or phobia of spiders. Some people experience anxiety, sweating, and panic attacks when exposed to spiders or situations that remind them of spiders. Arachnophobia can be treated with therapy, counseling, exposure therapy or medication. Medications include anxiolytics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines.
Moreover, educating about the spiders, their benefits, and their importance in the ecosystem may help some people to overcome their fear. Sometimes, just knowing how spiders contribute to keeping your home free from pests could help alleviate fears.
Conclusion
The myth of swallowing eight spiders per year while sleeping is just a myth. While spiders can reside comfortably in beds, it’s highly unlikely that they will go inside our mouths while we sleep. Regular cleaning, such as vacuuming, sealing entryways, and using natural repellents, can prevent spiders from entering your bedroom and infesting your beds. Lastly, treating arachnophobia requires exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication to deal with fear as a treatable condition. It’s essential to debunk this myth to reduce fear and anxiety associated with spiders and empower individuals to prevent spider infestations.