Do I need to remove old molts from enclosure?

[devinc]

I have two caribena versicolor slings (about 1.5" after their last molts). In the past they have both thrown their molts out of their web tunnels, or pushed them close enough to the entrance that I can pull them out with tongs. This time both of them have decided to keep them deep in their web tunnels where I cannot access them without tearing down their webs almost completely. I don't want to do unless it's totally necessary. They are currently living in amac boxes that open from the bottom, which is why I can't get in there properly.
Obviously, I have been doing spot cleaning and removing any waste or uneaten food.
Let me know what I should do. Thanks, everyone!

 

[cold blood]

no....there is nothing to break down or mold in a molt.

 

[chanda]

You can leave 'em. Some spiders are tidy and leave their molts out where they can easily be removed, some are destructive and pull the molts to pieces, and some are hoarders, keeping their molts tucked away in their webs or burrows.

The molt is just a dry husk and will not molt or host mites or maggots, so there's no need to remove it. I will do so if it's easy and convenient, but otherwise I don't bother.

My balfouri are hoarders. By the time I rehoused them, they had over two years worth of molts (times five spiders) in their burrows - mostly in pieces.

The only reasons you might "need" to remove a molt are to help the spider if it is still stuck to a portion of the molt, to molt-sex the spider (if the molt is sufficiently intact) or to display the molt.

 

[Eukio]

No. The spider will, in fact, deal with the molt how it sees fit, whether it is simply moving it to another place, obliterating it to pieces, kicking it out of their hide/burrow, etc.

 

[Colorado Ts]

If I can get them, I do and if I cannot I don't.

 

[devinc]

Lovely. Thank you everyone!

 

[viper69]

No

 

[SonsofArachne]

I get them when I can, but certainly not worth tearing webs/burrows apart for.