The swallowing spiders story is an urban legend started in 1993 by a columnist writing for a computer magazine. She wanted to illustrate how people accepted “facts” so readily on the Internet. It seems we still are! I think the original story was that, on average, a person swallows eight spiders per year.
    Now, a spider would steer clear of your mouth at night—for goodness sakes, it might be eaten! Spiders have predators and having one breathe down their “necks” would be frightening. Why would they go looking to be dinner?