Caught in the web

WillametteLive, Section News
By Sheldon Traver
Posted on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 10:19:24 PM PDT

For the most part they scamper unseen doing the dirty work of insect control.

However, when they are spotted inside a home or in other human-occupied spaces, spiders can elicit reactions worthy of B-movie acting roles from shrieks of terror to throwing breakable objects at a swiftly moving target.

Whether deserved or not, the arachnid has conjured up stories in our minds about close encounters in showers and doorways and along walkways near hedges. This year is no exception. The stories are hitting at a rapid-fire pace with some claiming there are more than ever; others claim the number of poisonous Hobo spiders is on the rise.