23/10/2026
Isn’t it an offence to litter? Because this stuff is exactly that, litter that’s designed to entangle and entrap!
Big thumbs down to fake webs. Unlike authentic spider webs this stuff is durable and resistant to tearing. It is the perfect entanglement trap.
For birds, bats, and little mammals, fake webs are a living nightmare. Unlike real spider silk, which snaps under pressure, these plastic (another environmental disaster) webs are strong and stubborn. If an animal or an insect is stuck, it's hard for them to break free and they can be hurt, or worse.
Birds are particularly vulnerable. They can easily become entangled in the sticky strands. Once caught, they often panic, struggling violently, which only tightens the grip of the fibres around their wings, legs, or neck. The image of this kookaburra trapped in a fake web says it all.
Small mammals like mice face similar risks as they explore their environment.
Bats too, with their delicate wings, can be easily injured.
The synthetic fibres are also a health hazard. To free themselves, they may peck at the fibres, potentially ingesting small pieces.
These non-digestible plastics can cause internal blockages and other digestive problems leading to illness or death.
To think that a synthetic web can potentially lead to all this. Why would anyone want this c*** in their garden, it’s awful stuff.
Here are some of the repercussions that fake webs pose:
👉 Physical injuries including sprains, fractures, dislocation, and deep cuts from the thin, strong strands.
👉 As they fight to free themselves, the webs can constrict around their throats, leading to strangulation.
👉 Trapped animals quickly become exhausted unable to forage for food or water they can die from dehydration, exhaustion and starvation.
👉 Entangled animals are an easy target for predators trapped within fake web fibres.
📢 We are calling for mindful decoration. You can still do Halloween without relying on fake webs. If you absolutely must, hang a web or two inside your home where they won’t pose a risk and opt for safer decorations that eliminate the risk of entanglement.
Halloween is a fun time, but it shouldn't come at the cost of our local wildlife.
Image: Romani/WIRES
