MetaChat - The Itsy Bitsy Spider

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24 August 2011

The Itsy Bitsy Spider So we have this spider that built a web on our deck. It rained and his web was destroyed. We were afraid he was gone, but he reappeared this morning. There are no pictures in this thread!→[More:]

The problem is that his web is in an inconvienient place - attached to the BF's deck chair. We smoke outside, so the chair gets a lot of use. We want to move the chair, but don't want to destroy the web.

If we detach it from the chair (it's still anchored to three non-mobile areas) will the spider be ok? Or is there another way to encourage him to build his web somewhere else on the deck?

I'm probably overthinking this, but we like him. He already caught two flies this week. And his web is pretty perfect, so I can tell he worked hard on it.

post by: youngergirl44 at: 09:31 | 6 comments

Yay, spiders!

I think if your choice is between scaring her off or moving her gently, go with moving her gently. If you can think of a place where she'd have a good home (eaves or overhangs, maybe?), I would see if you could transplant her there.

Thank you for taking care of my little friends!

posted by Eideteker 24 August | 09:39

The spider will be fine if you just detach the web from the chair. The remaining web is generally serviceable enough to suit a spider. She'll spin a new web in a few days anyway. I personally wouldn't argue with a spider over the location of its web cuz what do I know?

posted by Ardiril 24 August | 09:51

We have a HUGE spider that keeps building it's web across the whole patio. It's quite stubborn, that spider.

posted by deborah 24 August | 13:22

You want spiders? I can send you dozens of them, in several different varieties (fortunately none large enough to be seriously scary). It usually takes about three days after I've handled something for the webbing to make it look like it's been three months. I was quite tolerant of them at first, thinking they'd provide more natural control of other pests, but the wasps and cockroaches are doing a good job of getting around them. I also was considering trying to train them to use their webbing to knit me a blanket, but I've found several good old blankets and quilts when I cleaned out my storage space, so I've abandoned that project.

posted by oneswellfoop 24 August | 14:25

[Its web, dammit. I'm really working on fixing that and there I go again. Blergh.]

posted by deborah 24 August | 15:20

Well, it appears all my concern was for naught. It was super windy today, and the web blew down by the time I got home. The spider is currently MIA.

If she shows up again, I'll probably relocate her to the tire and rim store across the street. They always seem to have a lot of flies by their bushes.

posted by youngergirl44 24 August | 21:50

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