Erin Heffernan’s article was amusing and interesting but she completely missed the most important point [“An idea that shouldn’t catch fire: Using a blowtorch to kill a spider,” Local News, July 16]: Spiders are good, and killing them is not a good thing.

Exterminators are in the business of playing on spider-phobia and make big bucks doing so. I understand phobias and appreciate that some people are afraid of spiders, but if people understood how wonderful they are and how they truly do help humans by killing the other bugs, like flies, perhaps they would simply remove the spiders without killing them.

I use a glass and a postcard. I too used to be afraid of spiders until I decided to read about them. I now appreciate the wonder of spiders. Do Seattle Times readers a favor and give the other side of the spider story.

Janet Wainwright, Seattle