Here’s the scoop from "Fitness magazine."

• Dr. Martin M. Antony is co-author of the book "Overcoming Animal and Insect Phobias". And he says most people aren’t necessarily worried about being bitten. They’re simply having an intense “disgust reaction.” We’re naturally programmed to be on alert because these animals can be dangerous.
  
  
• So, how do you get over this reaction? Well, in most parts of the country, you can manage this by simply staying out of the reptile house at the zoo. But if you live in an area where snakes and spiders run rampant – like the Southwest – the best way to cope is with small doses of exposure. You start by looking at images of the creature and and then work your way up to handling it. I know, it sounds freaky – but Dr. Antony says it works. For example, you might hold a garter snake at a local nature reserve. Once you can hold, or even just be near a snake or spider without a bad reaction, you should be able to control your fear if you come across one in an uncontrolled setting.
  
  
• And here’s a tip from David Catlin, director of field support for the National Audubon Society in Springfield, Missouri. He says if you see a snake in your lawn or under your house, don’t panic and try to decapitate it, or get rid of it yourself. Most bites happen when people try to mess with a snake, so call a professional. You can avoid surprise encounters by keeping your lawn mowed and steering clear of places where snakes might hide, like woodpiles. And thankfully, spiders want nothing to do with humans. They usually stay hidden in dark places, like under furniture or radiators. So, you can use a vacuum attachment to clean hard-to-reach places where spiders and their eggs might be tucked away.