Spider Webs vs. Cobwebs: Differences and Similarities

The holidays (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) are nearing. You venture down your basement/up the attic to get your boxes of decor.

But as you arrive there, you are greeted by a veritable barrier — curtains upon curtains of cobwebs. Or are those spider webs?

Spider webs vs. cobwebs. What’s the difference? Or do those two terms refer to one and the same thing?

How do they get there in the first place?

Before identifying the similarities and differences between the two, it is worthwhile to know how cobwebs and spider webs get into basements, attics, and other areas of your home.

According to an expert from AAI Pest Control, cob/spider webs can form at any area in a building. But because there are areas in your home where human activity is more frequent, these areas are cleaned on a more regular basis.

Now compare that to other areas in your home that you visit infrequently. Remember how often you go down your basement or up your attic. Once or twice a year? How often do you clean out these areas?

A web by any other name

Spider webs eventually become cobwebs. According to an expert from a pest control company in Modesto, many species of spiders build webs for two main purposes: to trap other creatures which they use as a food source and to use these as their homes.

Now on to the differences.

As previously mentioned, spider webs eventually become cobwebs when these are abandoned by spiders and accumulate dust and debris. Unlike other creatures that essentially live in just one nest throughout the span of their lives, many species of spiders abandon their webs and venture out elsewhere to live and catch prey.

It is also worthwhile to mention that there are some species of spiders that do not build and live in webs.

The term cobweb is mostly used in countries that speak English as their first language, like America. On the other hand, the term spider web is generally used in countries where English is used as a second language.

Preventing and cleaning spider webs and cobwebs

Call them spider webs. Call them cobwebs. One thing is for certain: These can be unsightly.

As with most things, prevention is key. And the best way to prevent the formation of webs in different areas in your home is to prevent spiders from entering your house.

Spiders typically seek shelter indoors during the fall. As such, it is a good idea to seal all possible entry points before the onset of fall. Among the possible entryways, spiders can use are vents, windows, and door frames. It is also a good idea to move potted plants away from your home.

Spiders also dislike some scents, including lemon and eucalyptus. You can drive away these creatures from your home by applying these scents in corners and cracks.

As for cleanup, the easiest way to remove spider webs and cobwebs is to use a vacuum cleaner with a long extension. You can always call your local Modesto pest control company, AAI Pest Control, to help you with your spider problem.