The science behind our fear of insects
What’s your least favorite insect?
For many people, that question is hard to answer. That’s not because there are so few scary bugs out there. Rather, it’s because lots of people are afraid of—or just generally “creeped out” by—all bugs. Recently, we heard an illuminating podcast about the psychology behind our fear of bugs. While it might not be enough to dispel your fears, it could help you understand why insects, arachnids, and arthropods seem so creepy.
Anyone Can Be Afraid
In the podcast, a well-known academic named Jeffrey Lockwood discusses his own fears of insects. As a grasshopper expert, he fancied himself immune to the fears that afflict normal folks. As it turns out, however, he’s just as susceptible as the rest of us. When he was out on the open prairie near his home base at the University of Wyoming, he came across an area that was virtually covered with hopping, chirping grasshoppers. As they climbed and hopped over his body and into his clothes, he responded with an appropriate emotion: sheer panic. The experience led him to write a book called The Infested Mind: Why Humans Fear, Loathe, and Love Insects.
Causes of Our Fear
Lockwood identifies some root causes of most cases of “entomophobia,” a fancy word for the fear of insects. They include:
- Negative childhood experiences
- Scary movies that feature insects or swarms of malevolent animals
- Claustrophobic tendencies that arise in close proximity to swarms of insects
- The attention-grabbing “otherness” of insects relative to mammals and birds
- A natural aversion to poisonous or potentially harmful organisms
How Can We Overcome Our Fears?
Although overcoming your fear of insects is a personal matter, it’s helpful to see these creatures as members of the same biological kingdom as humans. While they look and act very different, some of their motivations are similar to ours. Additionally, it’s helpful to realize that insects aren’t intentionally malicious: When they crawl into our lawns, gardens, and homes, they’re simply trying to survive.
Find Affordable Pest Control Services in San Antonio
You don’t have to get over your aversion to bugs to understand how to get rid of the harmful ones. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive approach to pest control and management that’s tough on unwanted pests and easy on beneficial bugs. To learn more about what we can do for your home, yard and garden, give us a call or fill out our online contact form.