Why Do I Have Spiders in my Garden?
Generally, when you have spiders in your garden, it’s because they’re on the search for food. And gardens often have a plethora of pests making them a great place for spiders to hunt.
The most common types of spiders in gardens are orb-weavers and garden spiders. Orb-weavers are colorful with an oval abdomen that has a pattern of stripes on the top half of it and brown on the bottom half.
Garden spiders have long legs, a stout body, and around the abdomen that has lots of small hairs on it. They live in gardens and fields and hunt insects, which they wrap up in silk before eating them. Garden spiders are not aggressive and will only attack if they feel threatened.
The Difference Between Black widows and Orb Weavers
Black widows and orb weavers are just two types of spiders that live in our gardens – but what is the difference between them?
Black widow spiders have a distinctive hourglass shape on their abdomen, which is a warning sign to stay away. They build an irregular web, meaning that they will not be visible from all angles.
The web will also have an uneven pattern created from the silk strands it uses to catch prey. Orb weavers have a more traditional circular web shape and symmetrical pattern that can be seen from all angles.
Additionally, orb weavers don’t have the hourglass on them and are not venomous.
The Best Ways to Get Rid of Garden Spiders
One thing to note about spiders in your garden is that they’re actually a beneficial pest to have around. They eat other pests which would otherwise damage your plants. That being said, we understand that you might be a little freaked out and need to get them out of your garden. Below are some of the best methods…
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Chemical Repellents That Repel Garden Spiders
Chemical insecticides are not the best method for spiders because spiders aren’t insects. Therefore this is not the best method. However, insecticides can kill the insects that spiders come to your garden to eat – which would encourage the spiders to find other hunting grounds.
However, there are spider-specific sprays that can be used but this isn’t the best idea if you’re spraying it on fruits or vegetables.
Use Glue Traps to trap and kill spiders
Some people use glue traps to kill spiders which can be an effective way to get rid of them. Glue traps have a sticky surface that traps the spider once they walk across it.
This is an effective way to remove spiders from the garden with minimal work and zero pesticides. Just place a few around the corners of your garden and monitor them to see what you catch.
Clear Their Webs Away
As you know, spiders use their webs to catch their prey and like to be left alone. So by simply going to your garden each day and clearing their webs away, you can encourage spiders to move on to other areas where they’re less likely to be disturbed.
Use Scented Candles to Repel Insects and Spiders
Cinnamon and peppermint oil are natural insect repellents, and they also smell great. The essential oils can be put in a scented candle that emits an odor that smells good to you but terrible to them.
Scented candles are an easy way to keep the bugs away while building up your home’s atmosphere with a perfect balance of sweet smells.
Spider Repellant Plants
Some of the best spider repellant plants are mint, basil, and lemongrass. They’re healthy for your diet and they work very well at keeping spiders out of your garden. Additionally, they’re easy to grow and require very little attention as a spider barrier.
Keeping Spiders Out of Your Garden for Good
Spiders are everywhere and hard to avoid. But with the tips above, you can keep them out of your garden or at a bare minimum, reduce their population drastically.
Remember, some spiders in the garden are a good thing because they’re helpful predators that feed on pests that otherwise eat your plants.
But if you have dangerous spiders like black widows in your garden or spiders making their way into your house, reach out to a professional pest control company like Phenom Pest Control in Columbia, MD. Our experts can help to keep spiders out of your garden and your home all year long.
