"ahhh buggy!" + problems with bathing

foreverapartofme

I posted this on the Toddlers 24 months+ board as well.   I'm at a loss and hoping someone has some ideas that may prove to be helpful!

My DD has always loved taking her bath before bed.  Well since we have had nicer weather, we are spending a lot more time outside.  DH was trying to show her bugs outside so she wouldn't be scared of them. (She was apprehensive and didn't like them.  He figured this would desensitize her.)  Unfortunately, it has had the opposite effect.  Now at bath time, if a little bit of dirt, fuzz, or something gets in the tub from her body (I can't stand this digging in dirt thing!) she loses it and starts crying hysterically that she's scared of the bug and claws/jumps out of the tub and up my body. Truly, she is scared because she is losing it.  If a piece of lint is stuck between her toes from her socks, she starts flailing saying she is scared.  Honestly, I keep reiterating that is only fuzz/dirt and it can't hurt you but she insists it is a bug.  How do you reason with a terrified two year old? Quite frankly, I am not sure what to do. Any advice?  Anyone else been through this or something similar?  TIA