How to Spider-proof a coop? O_O

Hello,

We have possums in our neighborhood...stray cats...the idea of those two things doesn't concern me in the least (it's a very well made coop - nothing is getting in that thing in regard to animals).

That being said, my ultimate fear in life (literally) is spiders. I hate them with a passion and it doesn't matter if they are teeny tiny little things, I will run and scream my fool head off.

I'm just petrified I'm going to walk in the coop (it hasn't even been delivered yet, won't be until first of November) to collect eggs or clean poop or what have you - and have a spider jump in my hair or on my hand or some other part of my body or clothes.

"kill it then" would be the logical answer but I am not logical when it comes to spiders of ANY kind....I run my butt off and yell for hubby.

Can someone please tell me a way to spider-proof a coop (NO spiders at all) and still keep the chickens safe?

well the chickens will probably keep the coop relatively spider free - they won't be able to gaurd all areas of the coop for you but I can't remember ever finding a spider web in my coop. I wouldn't be concerned about spiders "jumping" onto you either. They like to stay on their web and we walk into their web (home) and destroy it. If I am concerned about walking into a web (between tree branches/the ground I walk with a stick and wave the air in front of me - works pretty well - flashlights do too as you can see light reflecting off the web.

I think you'll be safe. The spiders are probably just as afraid of you! (reminds me of the Dr Seuss story where the teller of the tale meets up with a pair of pants...lol)

Thank you for your reply.

I have to admit, I didn't know which Dr. Seuss story you were referring to in your post. That being what it is, I had to take to poking 'round the internet.

I finally found the answer, at 2:44am (I found it shortly after finding Green Eggs and Ham)

I no longer have to worry about spiders in the coop for hours, for now I have a whole new fear; spiders dancing 'round in trousers!


[On a more serious note, I'm still in 'pass out at 8 legs' mode, but I didn't realize chickens ate spiders...that's a relief, so thank you. I shall stomp loudly and carry a big fly swatter!]

I think the chickens will eat any spiders that come into the coop. Any small animal is quickly killed and eaten in my coop - spiders, butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers etc...nothing stands a chance with my ever hungry birds.

I don't have a phobia about spiders, but I do have one about their webs! I hate the feel of them, and they way they stick to me. The worst ones are the big dusty sheet types ahhhrrr yuck!

Maybe you could try to become less afraid of the spiders and get rid of your phobia?

Oh CluckyCharms - so sorry for keeping you up - I so relate and would have done the same thing (searching the internet til I found which one it was lol) I could picture the story in my head but the name just wasn't coming - I think I'll have my kids watch your youtube video with me today love Dr Seuss! Here's hopin your coop will stay spider free !!

I will skip showing you pictures of our spider covered coop, but I think they are also attracted because we use lights (solar) around the coop, that brings moths (etc) and the spiders move in for the feast.

I was looking at the "lint lizard" on tv the other night and am thinking of how I can make a tube to adapt to my shop vac so I can clean off the webs. Maybe something like a small hand held shop vac would help your coop? You can let the hubby dump the tank.

CluckyCharms said:

Hello,

We have possums in our neighborhood...stray cats...the idea of those two things doesn't concern me in the least (it's a very well made coop - nothing is getting in that thing in regard to animals).

That being said, my ultimate fear in life (literally) is spiders.  I hate them with a passion and it doesn't matter if they are teeny tiny little things,  I will run and scream my fool head off.

I'm just petrified I'm going to walk in the coop (it hasn't even been delivered yet, won't be until first of November) to collect eggs or clean poop or what have you - and have a spider jump in my hair or on my hand or some other part of my body or clothes.

"kill it then" would be the logical answer but I am not logical when it comes to spiders of ANY kind....I run my butt off and yell for hubby.

Can someone please tell me a way to spider-proof a coop (NO spiders at all) and still keep the chickens safe?

Click to expand...

I don't have my coop set up yet but the same thought occurred to me until I realized that the chickens will eat most of them. But, a one thing to keep in mind, is that most spiders won't stay in a regularly travelled path. That being said, keep a broom or something similar in the coop and every day or two make it a habit to brush the ceiling and corners and areas that the chickens won't be able to get them. The spiders won't nest where it's bound to be knocked down. Now that's not saying there won't be an occasional wind strewn single strand of web, just need to keep your eyes open for them. One thing to keep in mind though. My husband would always try to keep the spiders cleaned from our dogs kennel which was "shed size" until he was helping out our vet friend with horses and he made him realize that the spiders help control the biting flies. So if we got rid of the spiders, we would need another method of fly control for our dogs. I hate spiders with a passion, but never once had issues with them in the kennel. They always stayed "up" where they needed to be. If you keep the spiders out, that will give your chickens more of the other bugs to eat as well.

Carols Clucks said:

I will skip showing you pictures of our spider covered coop, but I think they are also attracted because we use lights (solar) around the coop, that brings moths (etc) and the spiders move in for the feast.

I was looking at the "lint lizard" on tv the other night and am thinking of how I can make a tube to adapt to my shop vac so I can clean off the webs. Maybe something like a small hand held shop vac would help your coop? You can let the hubby dump the tank.

Click to expand...

Whuuuut? Eeek.

My coop was covered in spider webs.. Each day, I would take a broom and remove them...BUT I never saw a spider.. I know they were there but they hid very well. The webs caught lots of flies, moths, and other flying insects... If you down want them there, sweep the ceilings down...

I recently found a couple of daddy long legs stuck up in the corners of my coop and I dont know how to get rid of them... They keep coming back and its gross!