Giant House Spiders have taken over one of my outside deck boxes

[oregonprepper]

Hi, I have a large Rubbermaid deck box in my yard, containing some gas cans which I am supposed to rotate monthly (there are twelve jerry cans, one labeled for each month, and on the first of the month I rotate that month's can into one of our vehicles and refill - this way my stored gas is never any older than 12 months, well within the capabilities of Sta-bil). Anyway, I discovered in October that that corner of the box had been taken over by what looks like a Giant House Spider. I am in Willamette Valley of Oregon. I happen to like all wildlife, including spiders, and the network of webs that this guy (or gal) had built up around the cans makes it difficult or impossible to move them without destroying the spider's home, which I don't want to do. So I left October, November and December, thinking maybe I'll get to those in Spring, but today when I went to rotate January, which is on the other end of the deck box, I discovered another similar spider has also taken up residence there.

So, my question to you, the spider community, is simply this: When will I be able to get access to my cans again, without harming these spiders? I assume doing anything in winter would be bad, since this is their overwintering home. Are they guarding their egg sacks? If so, when will they hatch, will it be sometime in the Spring? Would the adult spiders be dying then, or do these Giant House Spiders live for multiple years? I just want to plan my access (to maybe move the cans to a different deck box that isn't in quite such a "wild" area) so as to do as minimal damage and harm as possible. As I said, I like spiders, I have no wish to wreck their lives or tear everything apart, especially if that would risk killing their kids (yet to be hatched).

Any advice would be appreciated... note that I'm not afraid of spiders, this isn't about "eww how do I get rid of them", I just want a plan that involves maybe timing (time of year?) that would be least disruptive to their life cycle, so e.g. for example if early summer, April-May-June would be a good time in between nesting where they could reasonably be somewhat dislodged without losing everything and just dying, or if there is some other time, or maybe no good time (which is a distinct possibility, I know)... just any advice on how/when to do this, please help me help them.

Thanks!

 

[fcat]

Can we see pictures of your setup?

 

[oregonprepper]

I don't really want to disturb them again (I feel bad) but I can if necessary. In the meantime, it's just this box:

Amazon.com

And filled with these cans:

Wavian Fuel Cans | The Finest Steel Jerry Cans In The World

The original NATO Jerry Can — quality steel fuel cans and accessories from Wavian USA. Flexible spouts, safety nozzles, gaskets, fuel can mounts, holders and more.

wavianusa.com

The 5 gallon red cans, basically just 12 of them, that deck box is perfect size for that. They go in four rows of three, so Jan-Feb-Mar on the far left, and Oct-Nov-Dec on far right. I put cedar slats on the bottom of the box to keep the cans off the plastic, since the boxes aren't completely waterproof and some moisture could get in.

There's just the usual webbing along the tops of the cans, and an annoyed looking spider sitting glaring at me from somewhere along the top of the cans or on the underneath of the lid. I'm always like, "ok let's see if it's clear this time.... okaaay that's a nope sorry to disturb you k thx bai".

If you really want a pic then I can go do that. I know I might have mis-identified these spiders but I really think that's who they are, based on my location and how they look.

Ok, I felt bad seeming like I'm wasting people's time here, so I just went and got a couple of pics. Sorry, not very good photos, it's kind of dark and cloudy today and the light isn't great, and I had to hold the lid up with one hand etc. But here is what I have, please feel free to ridicule my lack of expertise both with a camera and identifying spiders: (Note in the last pic, the spider is not very visible but is hunkering down on his/her web hanging from the underside of the lid). Also I notice that the photos make it seem like there isn't much webbing, but there really is. I would destroy quite a lot by dragging any of those cans out right now.

 

[fcat]

You may be able to carefully stretch/move some of the webbing to another surface, just be prepared for it to stick to whatever you try to move it with, and donate it to the cause

Could you replace the can with a piece of cardboard so she has something else to web to?

Do you experience freezing temps where you are? What’s the freezing point of gasoline? It may be insulating her…

 

[oregonprepper]

I have tried relocating spiders before, from the fireplace etc, and I don't think I want to try handling them or their webs. It never goes well and I always seem to end up doing more harm than good. My wife jokes that "I have good intentions" and "I mean well" should send chills down every critter's spine in the area, sad face. I would rather just let them be until they are naturally moved on or died or whatever.

Where we are the winters are not usually especially cold, but there are always periods during each winter where it can get down into the 20s. For example we're supposed to get a couple of 24F nights over the next few days. But the spiders seem quite cosy inside the box, there is also a bench cushion on the top of the box which is possibly insulating it, and the box itself has double walls. Possibly the gasoline and cans is insulating too, I know liquid has thermal mass so it probably helps things stabilize a bit. I'm sure they are fine in the box over the winter, as long as the Well Meaning Monster doesn't keep coming and opening up the lid and leering in at them.

 

[fcat]

Not sure what the cost of fuel is for one of those containers, and therefore two (or however many months until it’s warm enough to relocated)

But no mosquitoes next year? Priceless…

 

[oregonprepper]

The gas will be fine for a while, it's non-ethanol and Sta-bil can keep it fresh for up to two years. So I'm not too worried about that, I might have 30 gallons to rotate all at once but the truck can probably take a lot of that when needed.

What I was really hoping for here is some insight into what I can expect with regard to the spiders' life cycle, like do they usually die in the Spring, having protected their eggs over the winter? Or do they live multiple years? And will they just naturally move out of the box when the weather warms up, or do they generally like to stay in one place for their lifetime? How nomadic are they at different parts of the year? I assume these are females, maybe they aren't as nomadic as the males (who I see every fall roaming the house looking to get lucky and trying to avoid the cats)... i.e. What can I expect in terms of being able to have a window of opportunity to access the box without turning anybody's home upside down?

Also, did I get it right in terms of identification? Do these look like Giant House Spiders?

(Sorry about the pest management link, they just have a good photo and description)

Giant House Spider | Spiders | Interstate Pest Management

Learn about the giant house spiders & how Interstate Pest Management's top-rated experts in pest control, extermination and removal can help solve your problem.

www.interstatepest.com

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

If you are able to use the cans that don’t destroy webs for the winter, that’s what I would do personally, because I am a softy for spiders. Come spring, they can find homes elsewhere, or move out of the way, lol.

 

[Charliemum]

Tetchy will reweb , they constantly build and rework their webs, taking bits down adding new bits and I can promise by spring their will be more, once one takes up residence more always follow and they will fill your cubby, and they won't care if you brake the web they will just reweb by the next day. Its what Tetchy are built for.
They make amazing pets though you could always catch them up just saying, they are my favourite all time spood for a reason .

 

[oregonprepper]

Thanks for the tips! Sounds like I'm waiting for spring at least, then if they do get displaced then the weather won't be dangerous for them. I'll just play it by ear.

So, are they the "Giant House Spider"? And, what does "Tetchy" mean?

 

[Charliemum]

Thanks for the tips! Sounds like I'm waiting for spring at least, then if they do get displaced then the weather won't be dangerous for them. I'll just play it by ear.

So, are they the "Giant House Spider"? And, what does "Tetchy" mean?

My first ever spider was a giant house spider, I caught her as a tiny 3mm sling on Christmas day on my kitchen floor, I kept her safe housed her fed her and she grew into a big 3inch female. She was a beautiful but grumpy girl always looked cross so she was called Tetchy, it means grumpy .
She is unfortunately no longer with me she got old but she was so loved all Tegenaria and Eratigena are known as Tetchy in my house . So I suppose you could say its an affectionate nickname .

 

[oregonprepper]

Aha! Now I get it, thanks. I was wondering if this was a shortened form of some long scientific name like Tetchycardiallus Carnegiae. But evidently I was somewhat overthinking, as usual.

I seem to attract needy wildlife, we take care of the stray cats who show up at our door and now we have 12 of them, also the occasional possum who come in if the flaps are open (and sometimes if they're not) and hang out under the couch or in one of the cat cubbies. They don't bother anyone.

 

[Charliemum]

Aha! Now I get it, thanks. I was wondering if this was a shortened form of some long scientific name like Tetchycardiallus Carnegiae. But evidently I was somewhat overthinking, as usual.

I seem to attract needy wildlife, we take care of the stray cats who show up at our door and now we have 12 of them, also the occasional possum who come in if the flaps are open (and sometimes if they're not) and hang out under the couch or in one of the cat cubbies. They don't bother anyone.

Haha no just an affectionate nickname, they truly are amazing spiders, no spider has blown me away like Tetchy did .

I also feed stray cats we have train tracks out bk of our house and their are feral's that live there, 2 of the males are now our fat lazy house cats lol . Although no possum here am in the uk, best I get is the odd urban fox .

Animals sense when they can trust ppl .

 

[oregonprepper]

Yes, they trust me, the fools. BWAHAHAHAHA etc

 

[Charliemum]

Yes, they trust me, the fools. BWAHAHAHAHA etc

I actually choked on my coffee!

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Thanks for the tips! Sounds like I'm waiting for spring at least, then if they do get displaced then the weather won't be dangerous for them. I'll just play it by ear.

So, are they the "Giant House Spider"? And, what does "Tetchy" mean?

Yes there giant house spiders "Eratigena Atrica" do you have a loft space or that in you're house? You could just scoop them up n place them up there, they will make a new home in no time used to keep these all the time poor males always get eaten after mating never had one get away.

 

[fcat]

REALLY glad you’re here @oregonprepper

Welcome!!

 

[oregonprepper]

do you have a loft space or that in you're house? You could just scoop them up n place them up there, they will make a new home in no time

That is a fine idea, yes we do have a loft (attic) and they could certainly go up there. But I guess I would have one more question about doing that - are they currently guarding egg sacks? Do they need to be around to protect their egg sack from other insects, spiders etc? I'm not sure how that works, I seem to remember some spiders do protect the sac until the kids hatch out, but is that the case with these giant house spiders? I'm fine with relocating them (could probably catch them in a glass) but I don't want to break up families or ruin their only chance to pass on their genes etc. How does this work for them, can anybody fill me in how this goes? Are they guarding something (I do see lots of little white packets around the place, so presumably those are eggs, and there was at least one hanging thing, not sure if it was an egg sack or stored food), or is it more of a "leave and forget" deal for them? Are they guarding, or just simply using the box as a place to overwinter (in which case our loft might be much nicer and probably warmer)?

Apologies for all the questions, I just want to try and make sure I'm not doing more harm than good. I am the well meaning monster, sigh.

Thanks again.

 

[Charliemum]

That is a fine idea, yes we do have a loft (attic) and they could certainly go up there. But I guess I would have one more question about doing that - are they currently guarding egg sacks? Do they need to be around to protect their egg sack from other insects, spiders etc? I'm not sure how that works, I seem to remember some spiders do protect the sac until the kids hatch out, but is that the case with these giant house spiders? I'm fine with relocating them (could probably catch them in a glass) but I don't want to break up families or ruin their only chance to pass on their genes etc. How does this work for them, can anybody fill me in how this goes? Are they guarding something (I do see lots of little white packets around the place, so presumably those are eggs, and there was at least one hanging thing, not sure if it was an egg sack or stored food), or is it more of a "leave and forget" deal for them? Are they guarding, or just simply using the box as a place to overwinter (in which case our loft might be much nicer and probably warmer)?

Apologies for all the questions, I just want to try and make sure I'm not doing more harm than good. I am the well meaning monster, sigh.

Thanks again.

Don't worry about questions, they are good, you don't know if you don't ask

Look for a ball of what looks like dirt hanging in the web or attached very near if there is one there you have a sac, but truly I wouldn't worry too much they usually lay sacs in spring in my experience anyways and even if there was the baby's will still hatch without mum although you are right about her protecting them from stuff, so really it's down to you and what you think is best for them, they are in your care after all .
I will say though Tetchy have been known to survive -5° so unless it's freezing you shouldn't have to worry about them being cold.

 

[oregonprepper]

Hmmm... the forecast says we will be getting some of the coldest days of the winter so far, over the next few nights. Down to 24F, which is -4.4C in English. I do think there is some kind of hanging sack that I have seen when I open the lid. I think I already messed up the webs a bit whenever I open the lid, since they seem to connect their webs using both the inside of the box lid and the gas cans etc, so when I open it up I destroy their carefully crafted creations.

I guess this is a conundrum - I'm pretty sure the adult spiders would be better off in our attic, since it will almost certainly be warmer there than in the outside box. However I don't want to mess with their desire to protect their offspring. In my experience, spiders are best left alone as much as possible, but that's just my gut. I want to help them, but not destroy their chances at protecting any eggs they have in there.

Any consensus on which would be the best course to take here?

To be clear, the gas isn't really an issue, it's no skin off my nose if I leave the whole thing untouched until spring. If I do that, when will the eggs likely be hatching? Are they triggered by warmer weather? Is it the first warm weather, or best to wait a bit until Spring is fully sprung before bothering them again (if I go that route)?

Thanks again,

-Well Meaning Monster