Tree service experts of Naples, Florida share insight on the unsightly, but sometimes helpful, nature of spiderwebs in trees.
Everything Homeowners Should Know About Spiderwebs in Trees
Though it might have been festive last week to have webs on your trees, the spooky season is over and that kind of decor goes from “in” to drab in a matter of days. Spiders are incredibly helpful and versatile predators that use trees to their advantage both for housing and for capturing prey.
By using trees as a support structure, spiders can build solid webs and the fact that trees are often home to a variety of bugs, they are practically an open buffet for the ravenous, eight-legged beasts.
Let’s explore how homeowners may want to handle spiderwebs in their trees for both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Are They Really Spider Webs?
When looking at webs on trees, the first question to ask regarding removal is what sort of creatures do the webs actually belong to? The answer to this question may determine how the homeowner wants to proceed.
While many intricate webs do indicate spiders, some webbing comes from other sources including:
- Web worms
- Eastern Tent worms
- Tent Caterpillars
These are actually more likely to cause problems for your trees than spiders, though a passel of spiders in a tree may indicate another sort of problem.
Are Spiderwebs Helpful or Harmful?
In general, spiderwebs are not at all harmful to trees. There are many ways in which spiders can be helpful. As rapacious predators, they can capture many of the pests that may attack vulnerable trees and plants. Even bagworms, webworms, and tent caterpillars are usually just unsightly, but do almost no damage to the tree.
The problems that can be associated with webs are discussed in detail in the list below.
- Defoliation: If too many tent caterpillars or other web-slinging bugs attach themselves to your trees, it can result in a loss of leaves. While a few leaves gone is not a problem, a tree that loses a good portion of its leaves will not be able to sustain itself. Leaves are essential for photosynthesis and a lack of leaves means less energy for the tree and it may enter decline.
- Target-Rich Environment: If there are a lot of spiders around, it can mean that pests have come to infest your home’s trees. It may be worth having a certified arborist do a tree risk assessment for pesky pest infestations or tree disease.
Again, most of these webs are not going to harm the trees and nature will run its course and the trees will be free of webs again.
How To Get Rid of the Spiderwebs or Caterpillar Tents
The best thing to do for spiderwebs is just to leave them alone, but if a homeowner is really bothered by them, they can take time to carefully remove them without harming the tree. After a homeowner has assessed the situation, they can take a broom or brush to the webs.
Gentleness is key to this process, so that it doesn’t do more harm than good. If a homeowner is concerned about their trees and their tree health care, they should call in the professionals to help. Whether it is tree trimming, tree removal, or some other form of tree care, your local reputable tree service company is here to help.
About Any Town Tree
Located in Naples, FL and serving the surrounding areas, Any Town Tree offers complete professional tree services for both residential and commercial properties. Locally owned and operated with the latest in high-end equipment, we will go anywhere they grow, offering quality work for a reasonable price. Call today for emergency services or a free quote.