5 Types of Spider Webs — And the Creepy Spiders That Make Them

5 Types of Spider Webs — And the Creepy Spiders That Make Them

Summary: Spider webs aren’t usually seen as more than eyesores, but there’s a lot of work that goes into these intricate webs. This blog details why spider webs exist before exploring the details of 5 common types of spider webs and the best spider prevention tactics. Pointe Pest Control solves pest issues with the utmost care.

Before we get into the intricate world of spider webs, we have an exciting announcement! Two of our wonderful specialists, Tate and Shelley, from our Indiana branch were guests on the Indy Now lifestyle show on Fox59! If you haven’t already, check out the video for helpful information on Midwest pests and our Sentricon® solutions for termite issues. Play the Pest Test game along with the hosts to see if you know your pests!

Enjoy the video!

Onto the spider webs! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of walking through a spider web and trying to brush the sticky strands from your face without panicking. When we’re a safe distance away from these webs, their natural beauty really shines.

If your yard gets a lot of spider webs, you likely noticed that there are different types of webs. Some are messy and tangled, while others are intricate and detailed. Well, that’s because every family of web-weaving spiders has a distinct style!

Let’s explore the purpose of spider webs before we dive into the 5 main types of spider webs that you might see in your yard.

Why Do Spider Webs Exist?

Before we get into the finer details of these threads, it’s worth wondering why they exist in the first place. Spider webs serve two main purposes: trap bugs and shelter spiders. We easily brush off the sticky strands, but spider webs are too strong for tiny pests. Once the spider spins its web, it rests on the outer edges and wait. It’s also a great place to store their egg sacs!

Spider silk is essentially fibers made of proteins that are produced in their special glands. The spinnerets on their abdomens produce silk as the spider crawls along in the pattern of its choice. Some species redo their webs daily by eating the silk (ew!), reusing the proteins, and creating a fresh web. Others just repair and expand the same web as much as they want.

Spiders build webs in places that they deem safe and close enough to a food source for their liking. That’s why we often find them in room corners, between tree branches, and under eaves. With that in mind, let’s explore 5 unique yet recognizable web patterns!

Orb Webs

The Arancidae Spiders: yellow garden spiders, barn orb weavers, garden orb weavers

The most common type, orb webs are those large circular webs you see stretched between trees or unused doorways. This delicate web is characterized by the segments that lead to its center, like spokes on a wheel. This is the stereotypical spider web we know and (don’t really) love. Luckily for us, these spiders don’t want anything to do with us.

In the middle of an orb web, the sticky capture silk ensnares clueless insects that wander into the trap. The non-sticky radial silk surrounding the center acts as an anchor to whatever objects are close by. The spiders that build these webs hide and wait for the web to vibrate due to their prey getting stuck. They catch about 200 bugs a day, so these spiders are doing something right!

Funnel Webs

The Agelenidae Spiders: hobo spiders, grass spiders, giant house spiders

The formation of these webs is given away in the name. Most of the web is flat and nearly horizontal, but it all culminates in the funnel that leads into a dark burrow (spooky!). The spider usually hides at the base of the funnel and waits for its prey to land on the flat part. These species have to be sneaky in order for their ambush to work — and it does.

Funnel webs are often between plants or rocks to give the spider an easy escape hatch. If a predator gets too close, the spider can just crawl into the funnel and run through the imaginary back door. If you find a funnel web in your yard, don’t remove it with your bare hands. These spiders are built to ambush anything that touches their web!

Mesh Webs

The Dictynidae Spiders: mesh weavers, dictynid spiders

These webs look like cobwebs, but the key difference is that mesh webs are outside and cobwebs are inside (more on this later). Mesh webs found on or close to the ground, often contained under rocks, plants, and leaves. Bugs easily get trapped in these messy webs since the sticky strands are near their favorite shelters and food sources.

Mesh webs aren’t the most noticeable unless you get close to the ground, like when you’re doing yard work. The spiders that build these webs aren’t threats to us. But mesh webs look so similar to cobwebs — which are built by a particularly dangerous spider — so it’s still best to use caution near any spider webs.

Sheet Webs

The Linyphiidae Spiders: money spiders, dwarf spiders, sheet weavers, American grass spiders

We’re back to webs with obvious names. Sheet webs are made of thick silk and arranged in a flat, bowl, or dome pattern. Spiders build these on grass and tree branches to cover the most surface area. Sheet webs are built horizontally and have anchoring threads underneath for stability. The spider hides underneath the web while it waits for its prey to get trapped.

Sheet webs have thin strands set above the main sheet to catch flying prey. Once the bug is caught and falls to the sheet, the spider emerges and enjoys its meal. Sheet webs last longer than other webs because of their layout. You’re more likely to find a sheet web than the spiders responsible for building it; these spiders are definitely on the smaller side!

Cobwebs

The Theridiidae Spiders: black widows, house spiders, cobweb spiders

Cobwebs are often associated with haunted houses and abandoned warehouses, but they’re found in all kinds of indoor spaces. These webs are messy and sticky, perfect for trapping unsuspecting pests. The spiders who build cobwebs often keep them in isolated areas, like room corners and ceiling fixtures. They anchor the webs to multiple points for maximum stability.

Since cobwebs have undefined patterns, they trap bugs more easily than some of the other webs. They also catch a lot of dirt and dust for this reason, which is more of a headache for us. The main concern with cobwebs (besides their gross appearance) is one of the spiders that builds them. Black widows have a venomous bite that can have lasting health effects when left untreated. If you’re bitten by a black widow, please seek medical attention immediately.

How to Prevent Spiders

Spider webs can be pretty (have you seen a web tinged with water drops?), but that doesn’t mean we want spiders hanging around our homes. Spiders are one of the easier pests to prevent, based on a few reasons. They don’t invade in large groups, don’t want anything to do with us, and don’t contaminate our food.

That’s why spider prevention is all about removing their potential to live in your house. With that in mind, these are the easiest ways to prevent spiders:

• Seal Entry Points — Sealing potential entry points is a simple yet effective way to keep pests out. Inspect your house’s exterior for cracks and gaps, especially near fixtures like vents, doors, windows, and pipes. Waterproof caulk is the best tool for sealing openings.

• Clean the Floors — Since many indoor spiders stay on the ground, it’s a great help to clean your floors consistently. Use your preferred method (vacuum, broom, mop, etc.) to clean the floors in your home, and pay special attention to room corners where spiders like to stay.

• Remove Spider Webs — It seems obvious, but it’s still worth saying. Besides the fact that spiders can reuse webs, the sticky strands collect dust and debris to create a real eyesore. They are easy to remove with a duster or a vacuum.

• Check the Seals — And we’re not talking about the marine animals! By this, we mean inspect the weather stripping, seals, and screens on your house’s doors and windows. If there are any cracks or worn pieces in these items, replace them with new ones.

• Solve Pest Problems — Spiders stay near their food, so removing the source of their meals kills two birds with one stone. If you start seeing more spiders, look for the bugs that draw them there. Eliminate the pest problem, and you should see a decrease in the spiders.

• Use Pest Control Services — Speaking of, professional pest control is the easiest way to solve your spider and general pest issues in one go. A trained technician with advanced treatments can safely and efficiently eliminate spiders — especially when black widows or brown recluses are involved.

Kick Spiders to the Curb with Pointe!

You don’t have to worry about itsy-bitsy spiders invading your home when you have Pointe Pest Control on your side! Our licensed technicians have an eye for detail when they complete each service. They inspect the property for all signs of pest activity, then use their findings to create a treatment plan that’s customized to fit the pest control needs of that customer.

We understand the need for reliable, high-quality pest control services. That’s why we pack every service with efficient solutions and ongoing preventative methods. See the Pointe difference in your pest control, and contact us for a free quote on our dependable services today!

Citations

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How to: Identify spider webs in your home. (2019, November 11). Pointe Pest Control. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://pointepest.com/identify-spider-webs-home/

Spider web information: Types of webs and how to get rid of them. (2025, May 28). Terminix. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.terminix.com/spiders/webs/

Stadler, R. (2024, January 15). Identifying the different types of spider webs. Earthkind. Available at https://www.earthkind.com/blog/different-types-of-spider-webs/?srsltid=AfmBOopAyyvD4e_mVvCz2gSF6SeCBbyBQQLo03xrCKcy6LjDR_zg6ZBl (Accessed on May 28, 2025).

Types of spider webs. (2021, August 24). Maggie’s Farm. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://maggiesfarmproducts.com/blogs/bug-help/spider-webs