For many people (garden folk included) spiders are the things nightmares are made of. Hollywood and Halloween have done nothing for the reputation of spiders (not to mention bats) and their true value they bring to the natural world.

There are 38,000 spider species world-wide and scientists assure us there are many more yet to be discovered. We might as well learn to live with them or at the very least, appreciate them for who they really are because these little predators are here to stay. 

To give you a sense of proportion, out of the 38,000 spider species known so far, more than 3,500 make their home in the United States. Of these 3,500 there are only four spiders living in the U.S. that carry venom in large enough doses to hurt a human being. These would be the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Hobo, and Yellow Sac spider.

These spiders are the ones you do want to watch out for as their venoms do amazing damage in some cases. But, that’s a whole different conversation. The vast majority of spiders don’t even have the mandible power to bite through human skin. So, your mother was onto something when she said that spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them. They should be.

From a spider’s point of view, of the 306,700,000 people living in the United States, potentially 100 % of them can (and want) to kill spiders. How would you like to play those odds? Spiders are often underapprecitaed as a valuable natural pest control in the garden. Here’s a very detailed Q and A for you:

Q. Remember those moths you’re constantly cursing for feasting on your veggies all summer?

A. Garden spiders.

Q. Flies and cucumber beetles making you lose sleep?

A. Spiders.

Q. Caterpillars and leaf hoppers?

A. Ummmm…spiders.

Q. Thrips and aphid troubles?

A. (Say it with me, now) – SPIDERS.

The scientific name for spider is “Arachnid” (uh-rack-nid) – like the movie. It comes from a Greek story about a princess named Arachne who wove silk so beautifully that the goddess Athena decided to have a weaving contest with the princess. When Arachne won the contest, Athena became incensed. Consumed by jealousy, Athena turned Arachne into a spider to spin silk forever. The common word “spider” is German for “spinner”. To this day, all spiders spin silk, although they don’t all make the stunning webs you find in your garden.

If I’ve reached just one person, then this post was worth it. If you’re interested in keeping some valuable predators around, be sure to cover part of your garden or landscape with and organic mulch or cover crop. This way the spiders have a place for their eggs to over-winter and back off the pyrethrums and synthetic pyrethroids, would ya?

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Tubtrugs SP42GBK Flexible Black Gorilla Large 38 Liter/10 Gallon Capacity

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2 comfort grip handles. Flexible sides for shaping against a wall or floor. Reinforced ribbing for extra strength. 100% recycled construction. Nontoxic, toy safe.

Buy at Amazon

Gardzen 3-Pack 72 Gallons Garden Bag

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space. Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.

Buy at Amazon

Nothers RooTrimmer 50 Cell, 10pcs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

50 cell plastic seedling deep trays, each size is 3.54" deep, big holes, side 1.89" x 1.89", hold larger volume of the soil which can be better for trees, longer rhizomas or similar tall growing plants. Fits for standard 10" 20" trays. 10pcs per pack trays, thicker and more durable, 1mm thick trays for long term use, sturdy to carry and transport. Indoor or greenhouse propagation or nursery is good.

Buy at Amazon