How to Get Rid of Cobwebs – And Prevent Them From Coming Back

Wondering how to get rid of cobwebs? You’ve come to the right place. No one likes having cobwebs around, and they can be particularly annoying to find in a professional office setting. 

The good news? 

Whether they’ve formed in the corners of rooms or in other hard-to-reach places, there are effective methods you can use to get rid of them – and reduce the likelihood that they’ll come back.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

What are Cobwebs?

First things first: As you probably know, cobwebs originally come from spiders. But obviously, so do spiderwebs. So what’s the difference between the two? And does it matter when it comes to cleaning? That’s what we’ll look at next.

The Difference Between Cobwebs and Spiderwebs

Okay, so we’ve already established that cobwebs and spiderwebs both come from spiders. So what makes them dissimilar? It basically comes down to one thing: Cobwebs have been abandoned by the spiders who spun them and are simply collecting dust (so if you notice a spiderweb that looks old and dusty, it’s actually a cobweb, and it’s probably been there a long time).

But why do spiders abandon their webs in the first place? One reason is that, over time, webs collect dust and become less effective at catching flies and other insects. Once that happens, spiders just abandon them and start over.

On the other hand, spiderwebs are “active” webs, which means (you guessed it) there are most likely still spiders nearby. That means you should proceed with extra caution if you’re trying to get rid of them, especially if the spiders in question are potentially poisonous.

Get Rid of Cobwebs and Spiderwebs

Whether the webs in your office are active or have been abandoned long ago, here are a few ways to get rid of them.

Use a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom

Getting rid of webs using a vacuum cleaner is the best way to go. Why? Because unlike using a broom, you won’t run the risk of having cobwebs fall on desks and other surfaces as you clean.

Also, you won’t have to go through the hassle of cleaning webs off the broom afterward. Just use the right attachment for hard-to-reach corners. And, if the webs are active and you’ve sucked up some spiders along with the webs, make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag right afterward to prevent them from coming back.

Spray down windows

If you’ve noticed webs around windows, you can take a spray bottle filled with water and spray down the webs before wiping them away with a cloth. This is most effective when dealing with cobwebs, and it will help you avoid having to spray potentially-toxic products in the office. On the other hand, if you suspect a web might still have spiders nearby, water will get rid of the web but won’t be enough to eradicate the spiders themselves.

Add duct tape to a paint roller

Need another tip? Try this: For ceilings and other hard-to-reach areas, put some duct tape (sticky side out) on a paint roller and roll it over areas that have old webs. Once the tape is no longer sticky, just replace it and repeat the process as often as necessary.

Don’t Want to Deal With Webs Yourself? We’re Here to Help

If you’ve noticed webs in your office lately, that can only mean one thing: Spiders are (or have been) present. In fact, it could even point to an infestation, especially if you see a lot of spider egg sacs. So, to get rid of cobwebs and spiderwebs in the long term, it’s important to not only get rid of the webs themselves but also prevent spiders from coming in the first place.

But if the thought of tackling this issue yourself feels overwhelming, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. At System4, we specialize in commercial cleaning and pest control services, so you can rest easy knowing your office will be in good hands. When in doubt, just leave it to the pros. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.