Generally no. I have tried to rescue a butterfly, but the web was very sticky and it’s wings had been damaged, so not sure if I was really doing it a favour. I probably wouldn’t do it again.
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.
I would, but the only scenario in which I would is if it was a common type of spider and the creature caught in the web was something rare or endangered. Other than that, I would and do leave well alone, because the garden is its own little ecosystem and the spiders are a part of that.
I don't know about spiders keeping the fly population down. We have a huge amount of false widows living in the conservatory roof. Every single day,the roof blinds surfaces, window sills are covered in dead carcasses. A few common or garden flies, but mostly bees butterflies hoverflies, drives me nuts
I would say usually no, but occasionally I see a bee just now trapped and I help it out. I think I would probably help out a butterfly, as it feels too odd just to sit there and watch.
Lots of neighbours get very upset when they see dying or dead bees about. I think the media has wigged them out about neonics etc and think bees would normally live for many years so there is a conspiracy of death afoot. Any kind of (animal) death seems like a tragedy and a disaster that must be resisted. It's very odd.
Spiders weave all under the shed overhang and that's where I keep my bee nests. I sweep all the webs off, though I'm aware I'm preferencing one species over another. I figure I have a whole garden and house full of places for spiders to hang, but only one good place made for mason bees.
I don't kill spiders though - even the big hairy ones with too many legs that scuttle under the bed at 2am.
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