How do spiders get onto washing line

[larn1981]

I am researching how spiders access washing lines and pegs, I would like to know possible methods that small garden spiders move around.
The obvious answer is they crawl up the pole, or they could thread down from above, but are there other methods?

The reason i would like to research this, is that i'd like to find a solution to prevent them from nesting in there.

I wonder if they are carried in the wind, or something like that?

appreciate your help

 

[Jess S]

Probably they use all of those methods you've listed.

The only way to prevent them or at least cut down on the numbers, is to remove your pegs when you're not hanging out clothes to dry. And give the line a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove web (brushing any spiders you see off before doing so) before you hang out clothes.

That's what I do as otherwise I have spiders living in each peg, with their little webs in-between!

 

[ColeopteraC]

Very small spiderlings may balloon onto the washing line, they propel create of web into the air and harness electrical fields that allow them to ‘fly/glide’, distributing in the process. There is no way you can really avoid this however.

To prevent them from climbing on you may want to use a small link of chain at either end of the line, use hammock chains as an example. This seems like an awful lot of work for a few spiders and I recommend you just get used to them and wipe them off if they impede your progress.

 

[larn1981]

I wonder if most of them climb the pole? can they really fly on electrical energy? i have had an idea for an invention, but it would only prevent them climbing up the pole, so it may not be worth doing. i guess i need to do some experiments

 

[The Snark]

Might keep in mind web based spiders are often photophobic outsideof their webs - a survival instinct. So the are likely to doing their climbing in the middle of the night.

 

[Ungoliant]

I am researching how spiders access washing lines and pegs, I would like to know possible methods that small garden spiders move around.
The obvious answer is they crawl up the pole, or they could thread down from above, but are there other methods?

They can also let out silk when a breeze is blowing, wait for the silk to catch onto something, and then crawl across the line. (This is often how orbweavers span distances when building webs.)

Spiderlings of some species will balloon (let out silk until it's long enough to carry them away on the breeze), ending up wherever.

 

[larn1981]

thanks for your input on this subject, it has been very helpful

 

[ColeopteraC]

I wonder if most of them climb the pole? can they really fly on electrical energy? i have had an idea for an invention, but it would only prevent them climbing up the pole, so it may not be worth doing. i guess i need to do some experiments

I wouldn’t call it flying, more just an electrical field lifts them and their web up and carries them as they are incredibly light. Similar to your hair gravitating towards a balloon if rubbed.

 

[Arachnoenthusiast]

I am researching how spiders access washing lines and pegs, I would like to know possible methods that small garden spiders move around.
The obvious answer is they crawl up the pole, or they could thread down from above, but are there other methods?

The reason i would like to research this, is that i'd like to find a solution to prevent them from nesting in there.

I wonder if they are carried in the wind, or something like that?

appreciate your help

In my area the slings are currently flying around on threads (think kite or parachute) to relocate after hatching. Not much to do other than walk around doing ninja movies when you hit an invisible thread

 

[The Snark]

Not much to do other than walk around doing ninja movies when you hit an invisible thread

When life gives you lemons.........
A while ago out riding my bike on backwater roads I went through several 'clouds' of ballooning spiderlings. At first I was annoyed then had a bright idea and rode on to my wifes workplace: "Hey hon, I'm covered in baby spiders. Help me out here?"
She managed to find quite a few, maybe 15 or 20 which she relocated to the bushes at her work place. Later that year they were blessed with several small orb weaver webs. Happy happy, joy joy.
Unfortunately my office got the lions share of the ones she missed, mostly to the delight of the geckos and ranging jumper spiders that call our house their hunting ground. I did managed to relocate another 2 or 3.