Why do we put cob web and spider decorations up for Halloween?? These decorations come from quite different categories than ghosts or pumpkins. But they do have one thing in common, they are associated with fear! Some studies estimate that more than 40% of the general population suffers from some degree of arachnophobia. Where does our fear of spiders come from? Most scientists agree that arachnophobia is the result of evolutionary behavior engrained in our DNA – similar to why people are afraid of snakes. Creepy crawlies like spiders and snakes posed severe health risks to our ancestors. Their camouflage and poisonous bites surely warranted extreme caution and awareness. Over time, this fear became engrained in the human mind. Those who didn’t have the instinct to flee from these pests may encountered serious health risks. However, today in Bowling Green, Kentucky, there are few spider species that pose major heath risks to humans. As long as a home upkept with regular pest control visits, there wont be any tarantulas crawling into your bed at night.