Question
Just this  week, we've notices many webs along one side of our property...my son  was mowing, and said they're spider webs.  What's a safe way to get rid of them, not necessarily killing them, but not having them return, either?  We're both a little creeped out by it, and don't want to come too close if it can be avoided.

Answer
These are called funnel spiders, (Family Agelenidae) are small to medium sized spiders often found in grassy fields or living among leaf litter in forests. Grass Spider" is a name used for the common funnel weaver spiders that build their webs in lawns and grassy fields. In many species, the second pair of spinnerets are twice the length of the first pair. They spin sheet webs of nonsticky silk with a characteristic funnel extending off to one side. The funnel is where the spider hides while awaiting prey. There is a 3-dimensional barrier web spun above the sheet web, and when a prey item falls through onto the sheet web, the spider quickly runs out and bites its victim, then drags it back to the funnel to feed. These sheet webs are nearly invisible unless covered with dewdrops on a cool morning, and the spider can move very quickly over the surface. It almost looks as if the spider is walking on air.

Funnel weaver and grass spiders are beneficial predators.  They very rarely leave their webs, so they don't often enter homes.  They will only bite if provoked, and are not considered dangerous.

MYTHS - LEGENDS - FOLKLORE

An old saying about grass spiders: when there is dew on thier webs in the lawn in the morning, it will be a beautiful day.  


These will not harm anyone and do eat insects in the lawn. There is no need to treat for these spiders outside.

There is also a fungi that early in the morning with dew present could resemble webs.
Sclerotinia homeocarpa, better known as dollar spot, is a common fungal disease that attacks most warm season turf species, but most severe on bermudagrass and zoysia. It occurs when temperatures are between 50 ?95 degrees with high relative humidity or extended periods of leaf wetness.The disease is most severe when the turf is growing slowly either from entering or leaving dormancy, or from nutritional stress particularly the lack of nitrogen.

The fungus generally appears as small, circular spots about the size of an old silver dollar, thus the name dollar spot, even though these spots can be as large as 2-8 inches in diameter. Early symptoms on individual leaves are chlorotic (yellow) areas that become water-soaked and later turn a bleached straw color.

During early morning hours, when dew is present, you may observe the fungal growth on top of the turf leaf blades that resemble tiny spider webs. Upon close examination, the spider webs will have a hole in the center and the tiny threads will be spun in a circular pattern. The fungal mycelium growth will disappear as the dew dries and the turf leaf blades will begin to turn yellow.

Prevention is the best control of this disease. Try these good cultural practices

1) Maintain adequate soil moisture
2) Provide adequate nutrition, particularly nitrogen
3) Mow regularly and maintain correct mowing height
4) Prevent thatch buildup
5) Water early enough in the day to reduce overnight leaf wetness
6) Apply appropriate fungicides if disease becomes severe.