As much as I try to get over every fear, I still get squeamish when I see a spider
Good reason for that spiders have fangs that can inject venom.  Did you read the book Hatched?
No, and I have a feeling that book would probably leave me with the creepy crawlies
Yes, it would!  Spiders take over the world!  There are 45,700 species
Don't spiders also help get rid of many other pests though?
Yes, they do.  The title I got wrong though, it was The Hatching. Spiders have no antennae like other insects.
Technically spiders aren't insects because they have eight legs, not six
You are correct, I should have said, 'Unlike' insects.
As helpful as spiders are in keeping other insects from overpopulation, I'm still going to kill one if I see it in my living space
Well, if you read The Hatching you certainly will even though they are air-breathing