How to ID Spiders by Their Webs

How to ID Spiders by Their Webs

When Halloween rolls around, we’re eager to decorate our homes with spider webs. But the rest of the year? Webs – whether they’re fake or real -- aren’t so welcome.

T3220

Everyone knows spiders can help keep pests under control, but to some people, spiders and their webs are the pests. To them, allowing webs to linger is the sign of a messy house. Most will clear spider webs and cobwebs out of unused areas and sweep them from corners.

Aside from the cleanliness issue, spiders can be dangerous. North America’s “Big Three” spiders – black widow, brown recluse and hobo spiders – have venomous bites that can be harmful to people and pets. Other spider bites can result in rashes and other skin irritation.

With those dangerous spiders in mind, it’s important to take a moment before brushing a web away to inspect it. Certain web types, for example, can indicate the possible presence of a dangerous spider. With such information, you will also know to set out TERRO® Spider & Insect Traps or to treat an area with TERRO® Spider Killer Spray, both of which can help you get rid of spiders – whether they are dangerous or not.

spider web1 Some spiders look a lot like other, more dangerous spiders. This orb weaver spider, for example, has a fiddle-shaped marking that some people may mistake for a hobo spider. However, hobo spiders don't spin these types of webs!

Spider Web Location

The first thing to consider about a spider web is where it’s located. Spider species use their webs to hunt in different ways, so location is key to capturing a meal. In fact, some spiders don’t even use webs to hunt – their webs are used to create shelter or to protect delicate eggs.

When observing a spider web, take note of where the web is placed, because that can help you with its ID later on:

  • Hidden Webs – Some spiders use their webs as a shelter and hide them in out-of-the-way areas for use when they need to rest.
  • Open Webs – Webs that are out in the open usually have the classic spider web design most people are familiar with. These webs are used to capture prey that accidentally flies or hops onto its surface. Some spiders are smart enough to place these open webs in high-traffic areas – such as near a nighttime light or in a window that’s illuminated.
  • Vertical Webs – Most spiders spin a web that is suspended vertically. This increases the chance of catching flying insects.
  • Horizontal Webs– Another option for some spider species is to build a web that stretches out horizontally like a carpet. These webs are meant to capture insects as they land or fall off of another object, such as a plant the insects were feeding on.

spider web2

Spider Web Shape

Along with placement, there is another characteristic that can help you identify a spider by its web – the web’s overall shape. In general, there are five main types of bait-style webs:

  • Spiral Orb Webs – Featuring the classic spider web design, spiral orb webs are usually constructed by spiders in the Araneidae family. These mini-masterpieces are actually crafted with two spirals – the first is a non-sticky “guide” spiral, the second is one with adhesive. As the adhesive spiral is set into place, the spider removes the guide spiral. Other spider families that spin these webs are the Tetragnathidae and Uloboridae groups.
  • Tangle Webs – Also called cobwebs, these webs look like haphazard constructions, but they still do the job! Most cobwebs are created by the Theridiidae family of spiders. Black widows are tangle web weavers.
  • Funnel Webs – Look for these webs nestled between rocks, in dense plant cover and other places that provide shelter for their maker. The non-sticky funnel-shaped webs are essentially used as burrows where the spiders lay in wait to pounce on prey. The funnel web spiders usually come from the Agelenidae, Dipluridae and Hexathelidae families of arachnids. The hobo spider is a funnel web-weaving spider.
  • Tubular Webs– These webs, which are very similar to funnel webs, run along the bases of trees or on the ground. Tubular webs are used by the spider to hide until prey triggers a silken line radiating from it. These tube-dwelling spiders mostly come from the family Segestriidae and are found around the world.
  • Sheet Webs– Comprised of horizontally spun silk, these webs are constructed with individual strands or woven into a thick mat, usually by very small spiders. Most sheet web weavers are from the Linyphiidae family of spiders, which has a worldwide distribution. These spiders are sometimes called money spiders because their appearance is said to bring good luck.

spider web3

ID Spiders by Their Webs

Now that you have a quick rundown of spider web characteristics, it’s time to gather all the data for your identification effort. To do so, note these web characteristics:

  • Spiderweb location – Is the spider web hidden away or out in the open? Does it hang horizontally or vertically?
  • Web shape – Study the shape of the spider web and determine if it’s the classic spiral, a cobweb, a funnel, a tube or a sheet. Web shape is a key indicator of the type of spider and can help you narrow it down by family.
  • Observe the spider itself – After you get past all the legs, spiders have a wildly varied appearance. Take note of its size, colors, whether it is thin or bulky, how fast it moves and if it has hair, spines or is bald. If you can, take a picture of it or trap it under a glass to get a better look.
  • Your location– Not every spider lives in every area of the world. When looking up spiders in an identification guide or website, remember that, for the most part, you should only be looking up spiders with home ranges near your present location.

With these characteristics in mind, use a spider identification guide to help you determine the species. You could also consult a local exterminator or an arachnologist for further assistance.

Bear in mind though that spiders, as well as insects, can be very hard to identify in the wild. You may only be able to determine its general family or genus rather than identifying the exact species.

Sample Spider Webs

Of course, there are some spiders that have distinct web styles. For others, including the “Big Three,” it’s important to know what to look out for. With that in mind, we put together a few snapshots of some important and/or interesting spider webs worth knowing about.

Yellow Garden Spider

yellow garden spider and web

A large black-and-yellow arachnid, the yellow garden spider (Agriope aurantia, shown above) spins a web in open areas and creates the familiar spider web pattern, but adds its own twist to the classic design. A large black and yellow spider, you’ll recognize its web by a unique zig-zag pattern found inside it. The purpose of this added touch is disputed – some say it warns birds to avoid flying into the web, while others say it hides the spider from insects. These spiders are not aggressive and rarely bite.

Black Widow Spider

black widow spider and web

The black widow spider(Latrodectus mactans, shown above) weaves a tangled web to catch its prey, and once ensnared, the spider wraps it and bites it to inject its venom. After the venom takes effect, the spider carries its meal to a concealed area for consumption, so you may not see the black widow immediately. The black widow’s silk is said to be exceptionally strong, a characteristic you may note when trying to brush it away with a broom. Black widow bites from mature females pose a serious threat to people, though deaths from their bites are exceptionally rare.

Venusta Orchard Spider

venusta orchard spider and web

Spinning a horizontal web, the venusta orchard spider (Leucauge venusta, shown above) is a long-legged arachnid with vibrant colors. It has green legs and a back that’s dappled with whites, yellows, and blacks. Their webs hang in shrubs and trees and feature a widely-spaced spiral band. The spider will bite its prey and wrap it in silk.

Hobo Spider

hobo spider

Mostly found in the western U.S. and Canada, the web of the hobo spider(Eratigena agrestis, shown above) is a funnel type and rarely found in human habitations. Instead, they prefer to set up their webs in fields. Generally not considered aggressive, it may become so if its eggs appear to be threatened. Scientists dispute just how toxic their venom is, so, just to be safe, steer clear of these spiders and their webs.

Spiny-Backed Orb-Weaver Spider

Spiny-backed orb-weaver spider and web

Spiny-backed orb-weaver spiders (Gasteracantha cancriformis, shown above) can be found throughout the U.S., and they create spiral orb-style webs. Their most striking features are the crab-like spines protruding from its sides and their unique coloration patterns. Their bites are generally harmless to people.

Grass Spider

grass spider and funnel web

There are many kinds of grass spiders (Agelenopsis spp, shown above) and they weave a funnel web in bushes and grass. This web isn’t sticky, but that doesn’t matter to these fast-moving arachnids. As soon as they sense a vibration on their web, they scramble out of their funnel to make a kill. Their venom paralyzes insects and other arthropods but isn’t known to harm humans.

Fighting Spiders on Your Own

If you have a spider problem in and around your home, know that TERRO® has many DIY solutions for getting rid of spiders. We mentioned two options above – Spider & Insect Traps and Spider Killer Spray – but there are many more effective spider treatments available from TERRO®.

Once you have your spider problem under control, leave us a comment below to tell us about the experience or visit TERRO® on Facebook and post your pictures there. For exclusive updates on pest control products, as well as helpful information and advice, subscribe to the eNewsletter from TERRO®.

Stop Spiders with Terro®

  1. TERRO® Spider & Insect Trap 10-Pack
    TERRO® Spider & Insect Trap 10-Pack
    $10.99
  2. TERRO® Garbage Guard® Insect Killer T801
    TERRO® Garbage Guard® Insect Killer
    $12.99
  3. TERRO Refillable Spider & Insect Trap Plus Lure
    TERRO® Refillable Spider & Insect Trap Plus Lure
    $13.99
  4. TERRO® Cobweb Eliminator
    TERRO® Cobweb Eliminator
    $15.99
  Canada

Visit Our
Canadian Store