Webs follow the light
Spiders build on eaves and porches because that’s where the bugs are, so the fix is part cleanup and part cutting off their food.
Dim the draw.
Porch lights pull in moths and flies at night, and spiders set up right next to them.
Sweep often.
Knocking webs down with a broom or extension duster makes spiders work harder to stay.
Keep a barrier.
Regular exterior treatment plus web knockdown on every visit keeps the eaves cleaner.
Spider webs on eaves and porches show up because outdoor lights attract the insects spiders eat. Eaves also shelter webs from wind and rain. Cut down the bugs, sweep the webs and keep a barrier in place, and you’ll see far fewer.
Web knockdown is part of every visit on our home pest control plans. Here’s why the webs keep coming back and what helps.
Why do spider webs on eaves keep coming back?
Spider webs on eaves come back because the spiders are still there and their food supply hasn’t changed. Many orb weavers spin a fresh web every evening, so a web swept in the morning can be back by night.
As long as a porch light draws moths and gnats, spiders will keep setting up nearby.
What kinds of spiders build on eaves?
Orb weavers and cobweb spiders are the usual builders on eaves and porches. Orb weavers make round, wheel-shaped webs. Cobweb spiders make tangled webs tucked into corners.
Most are harmless to people. Our post on common spiders in Kansas City helps you tell them apart.
How do you keep spiders off your porch?
Cut back the insects first, then make the spot less comfortable. Spiders move on when there’s nothing to catch.
- Switch to yellow bug lights or warm LED bulbs, which draw fewer insects.
- Turn porch lights off when you don’t need them, or use a motion sensor.
- Sweep webs and egg sacs often with an extension duster.
- Trim shrubs and branches back from eaves and siding.
- Clear clutter like stacked chairs and empty planters.
Our guides to what attracts spiders and landscaping for pest prevention have more ideas.
What do we do about spider webs on eaves?
Every visit includes knocking down webs and nests, plus an exterior barrier around the home. We also check for new activity and email you a report.
Once the barrier dries, normal rain won’t wash it away, and most exterior products last about 90 days. That’s why quarterly service fits most KC homes. Wasps building in the eaves are covered too. Our post on wasp nests explains how to handle them safely.
Read about the cellar spiders that move inside, black widow spiders that hide in window wells, and how we handle paper wasps and bald-faced hornets under the eaves.
Tired of sweeping the same webs every week? Call 913-735-5451, answered 24/7, or schedule online. Most services can be scheduled same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Porch lights draw insects at night, and spiders build where the food is. Sheltered eaves and corners also protect their webs from wind and rain.
Knock down spider webs on eaves and porches whenever you see them, often weekly in summer and fall. Frequent removal makes spiders more likely to move on.
Yellow bug lights don’t repel spiders directly, but they attract fewer insects, so spiders have less reason to build nearby. Warm LED bulbs work in a similar way.
Yes, knocking down webs and nests is part of every visit on every Rock Pest plan. Spiders, including brown recluse, are covered, with free re-service between visits.
