Just Me N' My Spider

I'll make this one quick. Here's the deal...I am presently coexisting with a spider in my home. A few days ago, I noticed a somewhat conspicuous spiderweb in the ceiling corner above my computer desk. It's somewhat in "the shadows" so you'd really have to look for it. But it's "there".

I am not adverse to spiders in general (except poisonous ones such as the brown recluse and infamous black widow) but I still get a mild case of the "heebie-jeebies" when I see one. I know for a fact that my friend Jim suffers from arachnophobia so I am sure this blog will get no pro-bias feedback from him for the spider's fate. My spider philosophy however, is that I do not mindlessly stomp them out of existence as they do serve a purpose in insect control, which brings me back to my present dilemma.

Over the last few days upon discovering this previously undiscovered "roommate", I decided to leave the spider alone as a few flies, mosquitoes, and gnats (My apartment here at the Jersey Shore is in close proximity to a bay and some marshes of which are often a haven for insects) have flown into my apartment as of late. That spider earned its keep when one mosquito became enmeshed inside its web, becoming a tasty spider meal for certain. On that ground, I afforded a stay of execution and left the spider alone.

Then last night or earlier this morning, I had a dream - and not of the Dr. Martin Luther King variety. I dreamt that I had an enormous spider living in my bedroom with a huge spiderweb that consumed half my ceiling. This spider was the size of a jumbo tarantula (which I believe aren't really spiders) and the size of a big crab cake. In this dream, I was intimidated by it and the fact that it was in my bedroom - and I wanted it dead, pronto. Somehow, a number of people kept coming in and out of my room, oblivious to my "spider crisis". Before the dream concluded, I did manage to kill this ungodly spider, making a mess of whatever gossamer threaded newspaper I employed in the process. Then of course, I awoke.

Back to reality. The real world spider is still in the corner above my computer desk, not hurting anyone except perhaps a fly. He, she, it's not bothering me. But it's a pretty big spider as spiders go - not diminutive at all. And what I experienced was just a dream. So...should I let the spider live unmolested or show "him" the door? What if it's a she and it reproduces? One of these are enough really. I don't want to start spider population control by any stretch.

Feel free to leave comments with suggestions - and such will possibly determine the spider's fate. I'm not interested in killing it as much as getting rid of it if it gets "unruly". It does help with insect control so I may grant the spider its refuge for awhile. I am including a pic of this "houseguest" to illustrate my case. The photo is a zoom close up and somewhat color enhanced. If you're frightened of spiders then turn away NOW. You've been forewarned...

Okay...so does this sucker stay or go? Feel free to help me decide its fate.