Hi Gillian, have you considered hypnotherapy to help with your spider phobia? It worked for me. I can't say that I love them but I'm certainly not terrified anymore and don't need to get them out of the house. One session should be enough. I'm also going to SA in October but leaving on the 15th. Its my first holiday alone so I'm more nervous about that than the spiders! Have a great holiday - I'm counting down the days.