01:09 PM Mountain Standard Time on Friday, February 11, 2005

By Scott Davis / 3TV producer

Ghost be gone -- See the video

Thousands of people in Arizona believe there is something haunting their houses.

When Rebecca Simonet of Mesa felt a creepy chill down her spine, she called in the Arizona Desert Ghost hunters to perform a sacred ritual -- burning sage, an ancient herb, which is supposed to banish evil spirits.

"I've called dozens of places and always reached a dead end," Simonet said.

Dead end indeed. Simonet believes that the spirits of some dearly departed are hanging around her Mesa home.

"They don't harm me. They haven't harmed me. They frighten me … my legs were being held down one time and tapped me on the head a couple times," she said.

On a cold December night, a quartet of ghost hunters hopes to help the dead see the light.

"Somebody who has died but hasn't crossed over, that would be considered a ghost and a spirit is somebody who has passed over and they come back to check on you and sometimes we get that in our photos," said Anne Martin, one of the ghost hunters. "Ghosts and spirits are attracted to natural light and when they pass in front of the camera, it'll pull in some of the light."

Martin said when they go out, they usually take about 500 pictures.

They use the photos and videotape to document any possible paranormal activity.

After what they call "smudging" Simonet, her sister and the entire house with sage smoke, it's time for another ceremony, which includes an American Indian chant.

Video that was taken that night startles the group. White spots appear to float through the picture multiple times. Martin and her crew say those spots are spirits.

"They sensed it was a few ghosts. Two men and one woman," Martin said.

There may be three ghosts or more. Simonet said the night's activities are not for her, but for those we allegedly cannot see.

"If it's a ghost that's here and can't reach or cross over, I hope it helps them," Simonet said.

About a month after the banishing ritual, Simonet said the house feels different, and she's sure that the banishing ritual worked.