Are you seeing a lot of spiderwebs this time of year? I don't mean tacky Halloween decorations - I'm mean actual spiderwebs. There are tons of spiders around here right now, mostly because we're experiencing the tail-end of spider mating season.It's been interesting to see so many actual spiderwebs while getting ready for Halloween. I know that spiders also have some associations with Halloween, largely because they could be venomous. I also came across this source which noted that spiders were thought to have been "helpers" for witches (since they could inconspicuously crawl around places). But seeing all of the spiderwebs around my neighborhood and workplace has made me wonder about the practical associations with spiderwebs and Halloween. Could it be that spiders became naturally associated with Halloween because of the mating season? (I know climate and mating seasons vary from location to location, but it's an interesting thought.)
If anyone knows anything about spiders, mating, and the historical development of Halloween symbols, speak up! I've thought about this topic every day for several weeks, mostly because I'm constantly seeing spiderwebs (really intricate, fancy webs like this one) whenever I step outside.
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As interesting as that might be, I think I might have to refrain from further investigation of spider mating season. EEk! Words cannot express my loathing for them.
We deal with spiders in our house on a daily basis. I didn't know it was spider mating season, but that explains why I'm vacuuming up spiders and their webs every day. They especially like the baby's room. Luckily they all seem to be of harmless varieties.
Anyway, we have two skylight windows by my computer desk, and each one has had a spider living between the panes of the window since we moved in. I've left them alone because these skylights are sealed off from the inside, and they would be a pain to get to on the outside anyway, but I've also just been enjoying watching this window on a spider's world. They're kind of like my pets. One of them laid an egg sack a while back, and it hatched a few weeks ago, but I only saw dead babies surrounding the sack, so I don't know if any survived. A few days later the dead ones were gone, so I'm thinking that the spider must have eaten them. Anyway, it's been interesting to watch my spiders expanding their webs, wrapping their prey, etc. I don't know much about spiders, but I've had a morbid curiosity about them lately, as long as they are not inside my territory.
I know I've told you this before, but what I really like about anything you write, is that it usually includes educational information. I love learning new little things; it's fun.
That was interesting to learn about spiders in houses -- who knew that when you see a spider, it is usually a male lookin' for some lovin'?
My favorite part was where the author said you aren't doing a spider a favor by putting it outside. I guess I never thought about that.
Here where I live, I haven't noticed a lot of spiders or spider webs, but I have noticed a TON of moths lately. I'll have to see if there's some sort of fall-related thing to that.
Great post on spider webs, Monica. There are many around here. Wonderful photo, too. Congratulations for hosting the Art History Carnival for November over on Alberti's Window. We're proud of you.
ixoj, I didn't know that you hated spiders so much!
Kiersten, that's really interesting about the spiders in your window. They do sound a little like pets! I don't know, though, if house spiders have the same mating season than outdoor spiders. They might, but house spiders might not have pressure to mate before the frost comes. (I wonder why they like the baby's room so much!)
e, thanks for being so kind about my posts. I'm glad to know that someone else likes educational tidbits! Yeah, I thought that was really interesting how she recommended that you don't put house spiders outside. I had never thought of that either.
Thanks for the support, Annette! These spiders seem to be all over the area - I'm not surprised they are out there.
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