Above are examples of the decorative spider webs that many people use outside to decorate their house for Halloween.

Why you should avoid using the decorative webbing outside: The biggest reason to avoid using these spiderwebs outdoors is that small animals can get caught in them. It’s mainly birds and bats that we see getting caught in these spiderwebs, but other animals can be affected too. Animals that get caught in the webbing may not be strong enough to free themselves, which can lead to their death. If they are able to get themselves out, they may have webbing tangled around their feet or over their head, which can cause issues down the line. This is dangerous to the wildlife and their health. Additionally, birds oftentimes use spider silk for their nests and they cannot tell the difference between real spider silk and the fake, decorative kind. Due to this, the webbing will draw birds in and they can unfortunately get stuck in the fake webbing. For all of these reasons, it is best to avoid using these fake spider webs for the health and betterment of the wildlife.

If you’re seeking an alternative: If you want something to decorate the exterior of your house that is similar to the fake cobwebs, consider something like this, which still gives spooky vibes, but ensures that no small animals will get caught in it. (As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Let me know in the comments what you will be using as an alternative to these fake, decorative spider webs for Halloween.