Posted by Alexia Galindo on December 14, 2005

Q: I have be searching on the internet but can not find out anything. My daughters play room has 2 large weird looking spider webs they are not round but are going back and forth and are rather dark. In one corner there was a spider with eggs the egg sac is brown in the middle with white fuzzy stuff covering it. We tried to catch the spider but have know idea were it went too. Can you please help me. What should I do?

State: Texas

A: I realize that many people really dislike spiders but your chance of being in any danger is extremely small - I wouldn't worry about your daughter's safety. It's quite likely that you only have one spider since they will often construct more than one web over time. There are many different kinds of spiders and as you might expect, their webs often differ too so it appears that you just don't have what you think of as a "typical" web.

My suggestion would be to get a broom or stick, wrap the end with a rag and gently wipe the area where the webs are. Try to wind up the web on the rag (a bit like creating a cotton candy stick) and also be sure to get the egg sac too. Then take the rag outside and either gently remove the webbing as best you can along with the egg sac (you're totally safe doing this) or remove the rag and leave the whole thing outside in the flower bed, weeds, garden. This will allow the eggs to develop over time and the babies can leave without getting into your house.

Your spider is probably dead by now (ever read Charlotte's Web?) but if she returns, simply take a jar in one hand and lid in the other, capture her in the jar and take her outside. You'll never touch her, you won't hurt her, and you'll have no more spider in your house. Sure hope this helps you out. Thanks for asking and good luck!

John Wiessinger ( December 14, 2005)