What is it about spider webs that oogs us out so much? I am not afraid of spiders, I don’t go out of my way to interact with them unless I have to. But if one is in the house I don’t mind capturing it and putting it outside.
I replaced my overhead garage door mechanism today. And of course in the corners where you have to put the motion detectors were a bunch of old spider webs. I could tell they were abandoned–but I had to get in there and take out the old motion detectors and put in the new ones. I didn’t clean out the webs, I just sort of pushed my hands through them to do what I needed to do. Letting those webs brush against my arms, etc.
I swear for the next hour I kept feeling that light lingering touch of the web on my forearm–and I just knew that there was a spider running around somewhere on me! Dammit!
So what is it about spider webs themselves? Is it the light lacy not quite there touch? Or is it just the fact that where there are webs there are spiders?
Probably what happened to you, Hakuna Matata, was that one or two all-but-invisible threads of spider silk remained on your arm after you removed it from the garage door. This would create exactly the sensation you describe – definitely disturbing even though harmless. A full-arm wash-up should have fixed everything.
Incidental info: not all spiders make webs: see this page from my site. Also, house spiders are different species from outdoor spiders and most don’t do well outside, so putting them outside isn’t exactly doing them a favor; see this page from my site.
If you know there’s a spider on you, it’s probably because you know where the spider is, and so can get it off or kill it without too much trouble. If you walk into a spider web, you “know” there’s a spider on you, but you don’t know where it is.
If you walk into a large orb web, it’s highly likely there isn’t a spider on you - well, not if it can help it. Spiders will drop on their droplines to the ground, or any where they can to get off a huge predator like you. Spider silk is the most incredible stuff - in terms of strength, flexibility and resistance to water and mould, there is nothing we humans can make that comes close. So next time, just look at it in awe!
Thanks **arachnologus **for the info–very interesting. I didn’t know that about indoor spiders.
As I said I actually didn’t think a spider was on me–but you are probably correct that there were some spider silk on my arm. I just found it interesting from a psychological view that it ooged me out Especially since I am not afraid of spiders—just wondering what the thought process we all have concerning this. I know talking to other people about this that everyone seems to fight the same sensations. I know that most spiders can’t hurt me yet we humans seem to have this total phobia about them that even extends to their webs.
Thanks again for the info. And lynne-42 we have the most beautiful spider webs up here in the NW in the fall. I am amazed at some of them. I am also amazed at some of the poor choices the spiders pick, whereas others have good choice locations and they survive.
It was watching an orb weaver spin her web from beginning to end which was the turning point in my deliberate campaign to overcome my arachnophobia. That 45 minute experience turned me from a recovering arachnophobe to totally obsessed arachnophile. Glad to see that awe is global!
I have watched some of my orb weavers change location a little when something had been persistently interfering - like the year the kangaroos started coming up the drive because the drought was causing them to seek food near the house. One orb weaver who I observed every night for the entire summer, changed the height and angle of her web, so it wasn’t being broken each night. But mostly I suspect they build where they land from ballooning away from their hatching place, and if they are lucky it is a good spot. For most it won’t be. The vast majority of young spiders never make it to adulthood.
I don’t know about you, but I, personally, have a pathological fear of spiderwebs. I’ve had this phobia for as long as I can remember. I still don’t understand why I feel this way, but even a cobweb can sent me sobbing into a fit.
Especially since I am not afraid of spiders—just wondering what the thought process we all have concerning this. I know talking to other people about this that everyone seems to fight the same sensations. I know that most spiders can’t hurt me yet we humans seem to have this total phobia about them that even extends to their webs.