First thing Larry... can you take out some of those equal signs? They're distorting the page for me on this 1024x768 display...
Now... holy smokes! two to three inches long??? Are you measuring leg size, or just body size? If it's body size, I start talking to the landlord (or an exterminator) about removing my little *problem*. If it's leg size... I still talk, but I won't be leaving a panicked message after I read the rest of these posts
You certainly can get them exterminated, but the more "holistic" approach is to focus on why they're there -- they must be getting food or shelter that's better than anywhere else. I'd focus on removing the food sources (if possible), and caulking up any possible entry points throughout the house. Not just windows; get the joints in the siding (or whatever's on the outside), monitor the soffits... and cleaning brush and stuff away from the house will probably help too.
Note that all this is gut reaction, and not the voice of an experience exterminator. So take it with a grain of salt, but feel free to get freaky on those arachnids [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]