If you’ve noticed large, intricate webs appearing around your home’s exterior, you’re likely dealing with orb weaver spiders. While they are beneficial garden predators, their size and prominent webs can be unsettling. This guide will show you how to get rid of orb weaver spiders using simple and effective methods that are safe for your family and garden.
First, it’s helpful to understand these creatures. Orb weavers are not aggressive and their venom is not medically significant to humans. They are fantastic natural pest control, consuming mosquitos, flies, and moths. The challenge is their web-building habits, often spanning walkways, between trees, or across porch corners, leading to unwanted encounters.
How to Get Rid of Orb Weaver Spiders
This main approach combines immediate removal with long-term prevention. You don’t need harsh chemicals; often, simple physical methods and habitat changes are the most effective solutions.
Immediate Removal Techniques
When you find a web with its architect present, these steps will help you remove it quickly.
1. Web Removal with a Stick or Broom
This is the most straightforward method. Take a long stick, broom, or pole and gently wrap the web around it. The spider will usually drop to the ground and retreat. Do this regularly in the early morning or evening when webs are most visible. Dispose of the web away from the house.
2. Relocation is a Kind Option
If you prefer not to harm the spider, use a glass jar and a piece of cardboard. Gently coax the spider into the jar, slide the cardboard over the top, and release it in a wooded area or a distant part of your yard where its pest-control services are still welcome.
3. Vacuuming for Indoor Intruders
Occasionally, orb weavers may find there way inside. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to safely remove the spider and its web from corners or window frames. Empty the vacuum canister or bag outside immediately afterward.
Natural Repellents and Deterrents
These methods make your home’s perimeter less inviting without resorting to pesticides.
- Peppermint Oil Spray: Spiders dislike strong scents. Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with water and a bit of dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around windows, doors, eaves, and other web-prone areas. Reapply after rain.
- Vinegar Solution: The acetic acid in vinegar is a good deterrent. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water can be sprayed on surfaces where spiders frequent. Test on a small area first to ensure it won’t damage paint or finishes.
- Citrus Peels: Rub fresh citrus peels (lemon, orange) along windowsills and door frames. The compounds in the rind are natural repellents, though they need to be replaced frequently.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Making your property less attractive to spiders is the most effective long-term solution. It’s about managing the environment.
Reduce Outdoor Lighting
Spiders build webs where their food is plentiful. Bright lights attract the flying insects that orb weavers eat. Switch to yellow sodium vapor bulbs for exterior lights, which are less attractive to insects, or direct lights away from the house onto pathways.
Eliminate Hiding Spots
Keep the perimeter of your home clear. Move woodpiles, compost bins, and dense ground cover plants away from the foundation. Trim back tree branches, shrubs, and ivy that touch or overhang the house, as these provide bridges and sheltered spots.
Seal Entry Points
Carefully inspect the outside of your home. Use caulk to seal cracks in the foundation, around utility pipes, and under eaves. Repair any tears in window screens and ensure door sweeps are intact. This prevents spiders from wandering inside accidentally.
Regular Cleaning and Disturbance
Orb weavers prefer quiet, undisturbed areas. Regularly sweep down corners of porches, patios, and eaves with a long-handled broom to disrupt potential web sites. This simple habit convinces them to build elsewhere.
When to Consider Insecticides
Chemical controls should be a last resort due to their impact on other beneficial insects. If you have a significant population, consider these targeted options:
- Residual Spider Sprays: Look for products containing bifenthrin or cyfluthrin labeled for spiders. Apply only to specific areas where webs are constantly built, like soffits or fence lines. Avoid spraying plants in bloom where bees are active.
- Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade): This fine, powdery substance is made from fossilized algae. Sprinkle it in dry, sheltered areas where spiders might crawl. It causes dehydration but is harmless to pets and people when used as directed. Reapply after it gets wet.
Remember, a completely spider-free garden is neither possible nor desirable. The goal is managment—relocating them from high-traffic areas to places where they can do their helpful work unseen. A few orb weavers in your shrubbery or garden beds are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, as they will control many more bothersome insects for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are orb weaver spiders dangerous?
No. They are not aggressive and rarely bite. If they do, it’s usually in self-defense and the effect is typicly milder than a bee sting, causing minor local redness or itching.
What is the best time to remove orb weaver webs?
Early morning or late evening is ideal. This is when the spiders are often resting in the center of their web, making them easier to locate, and you can remove the web before the day’s insect catching begins.
Do orb weavers come back to the same spot?
They might if the location proves good for catching prey. Consistent web removal and using deterrent sprays in that exact spot will usually persuade them to choose a different location.
What attracts orb weaver spiders to my house?
They are attracted by abundant insect prey, sheltered building sites (eaves, porch ceilings), and undisturbed vegetation. Reducing insects (via lighting changes) and creating less shelter are key to making you’re home less attractive.
Can I just leave them alone?
Absolutely. If the web is out of the way, leaving an orb weaver in place is a great form of natural pest control. They are fascinating to observe and will significantly reduce flying pests in their immediate area.
How do I keep orb weavers off my porch?
Combine regular web sweeping with installing a fan. Spiders avoid building in breezy areas. Applying a peppermint oil spray around the porch perimeter weekly can also act as a strong deterrent.
By understanding their role and using these targeted methods, you can maintain a comfortable balance. You can enjoy your outdoor spaces without walking into giant webs, while still allowing these impressive arachnids to contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem from a more acceptable distance. A little tolerance goes a long way in nature.