Question
Hey, I live on a lake in North Carolina, and at night these spiders build relatively large webs (2, 3 ft around) out on the sheltered area of the pier, and pretty much anywhere there are two beams, 2x4's close enough to each other to build a web.  Is there any way to get rid of these spiders altogether, or at least control them?  I like to enjoy my pier at night but its hard with all the spiders and webs out there.

Thanks.

Answer
Clay,

You might try changing the lighting scheme. All spiders are predators and the ones that construct webs do so to catch flying insects. Flying insects are attracted to lights at night which in turn attracts spiders and their webs. You might try moving the lights or just turning them off when they are not needed.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
My website about home and garden pests: http://www.livingwithbugs.com