OK, I know this is going to be one of those odd threads, but after seeing a friend's photo of my worst nightmare taken in their Taipei apartment and hearing stories from my other half about their own giant spider encounters growing up in Taipei, this arachnophobic needs some advise before I check into my 1 month apartment rental in November.

For those unfamiliar, apparently Taiwan is home to an extremely large version of the huntsman spider - as in this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petitet...ge/6557008531/

Speaking as someone so arachnophobic I can't even get close to a photograph of a spider, let alone a real one, I am trying to assess the risk of seeing one of these in a newer-built, modern apartment building in New Taipei City near the river, and figure out the best way to approach my landlord to arrange for some type of spraying before I move in - without sounding crazy.

So, for our Taiwan experts (and natives) in the forum, what is the real risk of encountering one of these for real during November/December? Or are they more myth than reality - ie the giant cane spiders found in Hawaii, which I've (thankfully) never seen.

Is it appropriate to ask the landlord to spray the apartment before move-in (I will offer to pay the cost, provided the spray is strong enough to kill them instantly or deter entry)? Being from Florida, I can handle a roach (or as we call them, Palmetto Bugs), but anything with 8 legs is off limits, especially if it's bigger than my head.