You ladies have had me laughing to tears. I am a tomboy all the way. I was raised in the suburbs but it was my wonderful jungle. As an adult looking for a home I always looked for the biggest yard because I love the dirt, and all the critters in the dirt.
Last year a spider bite me and I swear it was running so fast I thought it was flying. I chased it down got it in a jar and took it to the doctor. Everybody in the office was screaming get it away and it was in a jar. It was a huge black and orange spider. My hand swelled up to cartoon size. But I am not afraid of spiders or any other critters.
Just soak your pots before you bring them in and the critters will run out. Have a bowl of alcohol wipe your pots down and bring your plants inside for the winter.