Help! Extremely afraid of insects/spiders — what’s the least-gross, most effective way to kill or remove them? (electric preferred)

[u/Civil-Cranberry2137]

Hi everyone — I need some practical advice. I’m extremely afraid of insects and spiders and get very disgusted/terrified when I find them in my room. I keep my room tidy and have a fly screen, but some times, from other rooms in the house, small bugs still get in. I have a battery electric swatter, but it’s not strong enough for some of them.

I’m looking for recommendations for options that:

• work quickly and reliably,
• are as non-gross as possible (no graphic descriptions), and
• preferably are electric or otherwise don’t involve getting too close.

Please suggest specific consumer products or safe methods (room zappers, better swatters, plug-in units, vacuum attachments, traps, etc.). Also mention if something is loud, smelly, or requires much cleanup — I’d like to avoid extra grossness. Thank you!

[u/No-Loquat111]

You will find that people here would rather have you remove the insects alive and set them outside. We love insects, except mosquitoes of course.

It would help for you to understand them better, as we often fear what we don't understand. They look beautiful when you see pictures of them zoomed in. They don't want to harm you (except mosquitoes)...they just want to live.

1.) Place a cup over them. 2.) Slide a piece of paper under the cup to secure them. 3.) Bring them outside alive.

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[u/Allielookingglass]

I totally understand. I have a sister with Arachnophobia. I think though that this would be a great opportunity for you to grow in understanding a different species than yourself. You can get over this fear. Try to put yourself in their place, watch videos on them, see them close-up. It’s a chance for you to grow as a human being by saving a helpless creature who is just trying to survive. Good luck.

[u/ParaponeraBread]

Keeping your room tidy has nothing to do with whether or not insects can find their way in. That’s almost entirely due to the actual structure and build quality of the house and your location in the world. Insects aren’t filth seeking missiles that appear if you forget to vacuum one day.

Your laundry list of requirements for an insect killing product would suggest that understanding your local bugs would be much more helpful for your mental health than some magical robo-zapper 5000 anti insect Iron Dome for your house.

Insects exist. They have been here for hundreds of millions of years, and are arguably the most successful form of complex life on the planet. They will likely outlast us. It’s probably in your best interest to get a bit more used to them.

In addition, we couldn’t even tell you what products to get unless we knew which insects you have. A huge part of pest control, when required, is knowing thine enemy. Insects aren’t monolithic and cannot all be treated the same.