Oh, the tangled webs we weave. These particular webs are gross, sticky, and freaky, which is what makes them so spookily perfect for our New England Halloweens.  We live in the oldest part of the country, so Halloween is spooky for us, and filled with real life ghost stories and witches.  So yes, the fake webs definitely add to our scary and fun decorations.

However, we shouldn't use the sticky icky stuff for a bunch of reasons, as they could endanger both humans and wildlife.

Let's start with the human aspect.

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Getty Images
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According to the Apply Connect website, this icky, sticky stuff is extremely flammable.  And when you think about the fact that we put it around doorways, trees, and bushes, that adds to the danger.

Now onto wildlife.

Just like real spiderwebs trap insects, so do the fake ones, and it's not just tiny insects like flies and bees.  Both small animals and birds as large as owls can get entangled in the fake webs. There's a good chance, according to Garden Experiments, that they aren't strong enough to break free.

WildCare via Facebook
WildCare via Facebook
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According to the WildCare Facebook page, several rescues around the country have saved animals stuck in the fake cobwebs, including an exhausted owl found hanging upside-down, and a tangled pigeon.  Both birds have been rescued and taken to emergency care.

Garden Experiments says that those trapped animals suffer and eventually die unless someone comes along to rescue them.  Wildlife rehabilitators frequently get calls in the run-up to Halloween about animals caught in the fake webs.

Garden Experiments also reminds us that fall is peak migration time for many birds, which means many of our feathered friends are leaving New England for our southern neighbors.  Migration is a risk in general, with many birds dying each year during their journey.  The last thing they need is another obstacle like fake spiderwebs.

New York City Area Celebrates Halloween 2020
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