Where a spider web has been spun, a spider is likely lurking nearby. That can be unnerving for homeowners when they find a lot of spider webs on the house. While not every house spider web is in active use (spiders do often abandon old webs to relocate to new areas), it can be a nuisance to find them around the house.
In this article, we’ll dive into how to get rid of spider webs outside of your home.
Regularly removing spider webs can help keep your home’s exterior looking tidy, discourage spiders from establishing new webs, and make it easier to spot potential pest issues.
Jump To:
Why Are There So Many Spider Webs Around My House?
Spider Webs vs Cobwebs: Is There a Difference?
How to Get Rid of Spider Webs on Your New England Home’s Exterior
Why Do Spider Webs Keep Coming Back?
FAQs on Spider Webs
How Does Professional Pest Control Help Control Spider Webs?
Why Are There So Many Spider Webs Around My House?
House spider webs are common in the Seacoast region of New England. Our area has the conditions that spiders like: moisture, lots of insects (food source), and sheltered structures for them to build webs.
Some of the reasons why spiders build webs on homes include:
- Plenty of food: Outdoor lights tend to attract flying insects to homes, which in turn attract the spiders that eat them.
- Sheltered areas to build webs: Eaves, porches, window frames, garages, and corners of homes can provide protection from weather and be a great place for web building.
- Landscaping close to the home: Many homes have dense shrubs, mulch, and plants touching the foundation, which can provide hiding spots for spiders.
Spider Webs vs Cobwebs: Is There a Difference?
While spider web and cobweb are terms that are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing.
Spider webs are webs that are currently in use. They are usually neat, organized, and the classic circular web structure that you’d expect to see.
Cobwebs refer to old, abandoned spider webs that are no longer in active use. Cobwebs have usually collected dust and debris. They are often messy looking and found in corners or hanging from garages or around windows.
How to Get Rid of Spider Webs on Your New England Home’s Exterior
Getting rid of existing spider webs and also reducing the conditions that attract spiders in the first place can play a big role in minimizing spider activity around your home.
Of course, we know that spider web and cobweb removal is not something that homeowners enjoy doing. It is beneficial to find a pest removal service that will also handle web removal.
At Seacoast Turf Care, our pest control services include spider web removal (up to 15 feet).
A big part of this is seeking out where spider webs (and cobwebs) are located. They are generally underneath roof overhangs, behind shutters, under decks, and around outdoor furniture.
It’s also beneficial to remove egg sacs. These small silk sacs are sometimes found attached to walls, corners, or other surfaces. They should be removed along with the webs.
Why Do Spider Webs Keep Coming Back?
Spider webs keep coming back because the spiders themselves keep coming back.
This is usually because you have not made enough changes to keep them away.
The fact is, removing webs does not remove the conditions that attracted spiders to your property in the first place. If they continue to find food, shelter, and a good place to attach their web, they’re going to keep rebuilding.
Here’s how to prevent spider webs (or better, how to prevent spiders):
- Reduce moisture: Clogged gutters and other standing water on your property can be attracting spiders and other pests. Moist environments can support larger insect populations, so make an effort to reduce moisture.
- Prevent vegetation from touching the house: Trim shrubs and branches away from siding, windows, and the foundation. Dense vegetation provides shelter for spiders and a pathway to the house.
- Reduce outside insect activity: Spiders generally show up because they are in search of food. Keep exterior lights off when they’re not needed. Or consider using lighting that is less attractive to flying insects.
- Clean regularly: Exterior webs do accumulate quickly in the late summer and fall. Keeping up with web removal discourages spiders and keeps the home looking tidier.
- Invest in professional pest control: One of the best ways to keep spiders and other pests away is with professional pest control services. That’s because it’s nearly impossible to get rid of all the favorable conditions spiders like. But pest control can be that added layer of protection.
FAQs on Spider Webs
Will rain wash away spider webs?
Yes, rain can wash away or damage spider webs, particularly when they are built on exposed locations like railings, siding, or other open areas. But this is not a permanent solution as spiders often hide during bad weather and then rebuild. They will even repair a partially damaged web rather than start from scratch.
Do spiders reuse old webs?
Yes, some spiders will reuse their webs. It’s generally dependent on the spider species and the condition of the web. A web that has become dusty and tangled, now considered a “cobweb,” is unlikely to be reused.
Why do I have spider webs around my windows?
Spider webs are common around windows because they are a convenient location for food, shelter, and a solid structure to build on. Insects (food sources) tend to gather by windows due to light coming through (especially at night). Windows also tend to be sheltered by eaves.
What time of year are spiders most active around New England homes?
Spiders tend to be most active from late summer through fall, with August through October being peak periods. In the winter, spider activity outdoors does significant drop off (or stop), but this is also a time when spiders will try to come inside.
If I see spider webs outside, does that mean they are getting into my house?
Any pest that you see outside could potentially come inside. Like other pests, spiders often come inside during temperature changes.
How Does Professional Pest Control Help Control Spider Webs?
Investing in professional pest control in Southern NH, Northeastern MA, and Southern ME can help control spider webs in two key ways.
First, if you find a pest control service that will handle web removal for you, that annoying (and potentially dangerous, as it can involve standing on a ladder) will be handled for you.
But professional pest control will also help get rid of spiders AND their food sources.
At Seacoast Turf Care, our pest control services cover most of the common household pests, including spiders and some of the common pests that they consume. Our program also covers stinging insects (typically found outside, but that may accidentally come in) and mice. We provide pest control in Southern New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northeastern Massachusetts.
Pests like spiders can really make you feel uncomfortable even in your own home. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Sources: web with condensation, spider weaving web, cobweb, roof eaves
Ready to get the lawn you've been wishing for?
