The Editor,
My son Aaron recently started at a new school and after his first day he said he had “the worst day ever.”
Why?
Because at recess he was observing a spider when along came a kid who squished it.
This incident, combined with the the changing season, which means more spiders are moving indoors, prompted us to share what we have learned through reading countless books and watching nearly every video there is about our eight-legged friends.
Spiders are incredibly important for ecological balance, feasting on between 400 million and 800 million tons of prey each year.
So, unless you want a house or garden full of pests, you may want to consider putting down the bug swatter and instead grab a magnifying glass.
Spiders have eight eyes — how cool is that?
We have learned from B.C. scientists that while most spiders are harmless, it is still best to exercise caution if you are not familiar with the species, such as the famous black widow.
But the reality is that spiders are far more helpful to humans than they are harmful. In some cultures they are also a sign of good luck.
As this is spider-mating season, many spiders are moving indoors, not because they want to give you a Halloween scare but rather to find a soul mate. So let’s give them a chance, because we sure could all use some more love in the world.
Jane Paddon
Coquitlam
