Got Spiders In Your Grass What Every Homeowner Needs To Know
Spiders are considered my many to be some of the scariest creatures on the planet movies and television shows often depict them as dangerous and spooky creatures. However, the opposite is typically true, especially when it comes to your grass. Plus, they can even be helpful in some instances.
Spiders that live in your grass can be from a multitude of species, most of which will be harmless. They can be beneficial for keeping insects in your yard from over-infesting. However, be careful with spiders when it comes to your pets depending on the species of spider, they can be potentially dangerous.
The Backyard Master
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about spiders you find in your grass, including why they have made a home there and how to get rid of them if they become a problem.
Can Grass Spiders Harm You
If you happen to be out in your yard and see a spider racing by, there is typically no need for alarm.
Spiders who live out in the open, like a yard or grassy area are generally going to be harmless.
The most common type of spider in a persons yard in the U.S. is the Grass Spider
These spiders are prevalent in the Western part of the United States and can vary in size. They are typically identified by the specific arrangement of their eyes, the two dark lines running down their bodies and the tell tale sign of funnel shaped webs that you are probably finding in your lawn.
The Western Grass Spider is often mistaken for the Hobo Spider.
These two spiders have been found in grassy areas near households, which is why they can be misidentified as each other.
The main difference between them is that the Grass Spider generally cannot break the skin of a human, but the Hobo Spider can, with their bites notoriously infamous for a stinging/burning sensation. Even though the bite is not pleasant, it also wont cause much harm.
To the regular homeowner, it is almost impossible to correctly identify these spiders and it would most likely require microscopic examination by an arachnologist to do so correctlywhich is probably not going to happen, or necessary.
So, if you have spiders in your lawn or notice lots of webs the good news is that these spiders are not going to physically hurt you or cause any lasting damage.
How To Get Rid Of Grass Spiders From Your Lawn
by James Petterson | Oct 11, 2021 | Pest Control |
Are you constantly meeting that incy wincy spider in your backyard or lawn?
You may be a victim also like many other lawn owners. The spiders are not harmful to any item of your lawn but they affect the beauty and expression of the lawn by building webs and creating a dirty look. They might be scary to ladies, kids, and your respected guests.
Panic no more!
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Are These Types Of Spiders Dangerous
Different types of spiders have different levels of danger. Some spiders are harmless, while others can be more aggressive. When you look at these types of lawn spiders, each one is a little different.
Grass Spiders do not usually bite people, but they can if you get too close and disturb them. They will not attack you they are simply protecting themselves. Their bite is not dangerous because their venom is not harmful to people.
Wolf Spiders are known to bite people, especially if you bother them. They arent aggressive, so they wont chase after you to attack you, but if you get in their space, you can expect to be bitten. They do have venom, but it is not harmful to people. However, their bites can hurt.
Hobo Spiders are unlikely to bite you unless you get in their way. The problem with these spiders is that their venom can cause you to have symptoms. You will want to seek medical treatment.
Treat Cracks And Crevices
Broadcast spraying with chemical pesticides is rarely very effective with spiders, and it’s usually not recommended for general use indoors. But you may have some success with treating the cracks and holes through which spiders pass with a residual pesticide designed for spiders. There are several spray and powder products sold as ant-and-spider killers that will work, but it will take patience and repeated application.
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Peppermint Essential Oil Spray
Spiders dont have tongues or noses, but they have powerful taste and scent receptors on their legs and feet. Because of this, spiders are more sensitive to strong odors and tastes than other kinds of animals.
One substance with a powerful odor and taste that has long been used to get rid of spiders is peppermint oil. Scientific studies have found that peppermint oil is one natural spider solution that does hold up during experiments.
You can use a mix of peppermint oil and water to spray your door thresholds and around your windows and foundation. It will help in keeping spiders away. You can even spray this mix inside your home to help get rid of those that have already come inside.
What youll need:
- 15 drops of peppermint oil
- 1 cup of water
When Are Spiders Dangerous
Spiders can be beneficial in the yard or garden by keeping the insect population down, particularly ones that can spread disease, such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas and roaches. In addition, spiders are even known to kill and eat other spiders.
- Spiders breed throughout their life cycle and just one spider egg sac can contain anywhere from 100 to 3,000 eggs. If the egg sac hatches inside the house, you may wind up with a population of spiders making themselves at home.
- Unlike many insects and household pests, spiders cause no permanent structural damage, and most do not pose any sort of health threat. The majority of species in North America do not bite unless threatened. While infrequent, their spider bites can cause a skin reaction on some people.
- Of the thousands of arachnid species, there are only two that are both aggressive and dangerous to humans: the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.
Safety: If you suspect you’ve received a black widow or brown recluse spider bite, seek medical attention immediately.
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Why Are Spiders In Your Yard
What’s Inside:
There are several reasons spiders, or any other insect for that matter, would be in your grass.
Like any living creature, each of these creepy crawlies needs food and water to survive if youre reading this, they have probably found that in your yard.
When pet food, standing water, or anything else that can be consumed is left in or near your yard it can lead to an infestation of insects And anywhere you find a lot of insects, you are going to find the spiders that prey on them.
If you have seen spiders roaming around in your yard, there is a good chance that somewhere on your property, there is a food source for insects that have enticed the spiders to stick around.
In other words, if your yard happens to be a great place for bugs to live, then there will most likely be spiders hanging out to eat them.
Another reason spiders have made a home in your grass might be because the yard has an overgrowth of vegetation somewhere. Additionally, any presence of outdoor lights, piles of wood, rocks, debris, or other potential food/nest areas can lure spiders to your yard
Add Plants That Repel Spiders
Add spider-repelling plants around the perimeter of your home to deter spiders from taking up residency.
Spider repelling plants for your garden include:
- lavender
Cedar mulch also helps deter spiders. You can also shake cinnamon around the exterior of your house. Cinnamon works as an ant repellent, too! See also Plants that Repel Mosquitoes.
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How To Get Rid Of Spiders Step By Step
Finding a spider in your home can leave you and your family feeling unsettled and squeamish. While most species of spiders that come into your home are relatively harmless, you still may want to take advantage of knowing how to keep them away. If youre ready to rid your home of spiders and other pests, follow our step-by-step process to effectively eliminate them.
Move Spiders To New Homes
This method may not be for anyone squeamish about spiders, and it definitely should not be tried if there’s any likelihood you are dealing with a seriously poisonous spider. But for gentle-hearted homeowners, it is possible to carefully and gently trap a spider in a box or jar and move it somewhere that makes it less of a nuisance. Moved to the garden or to an abandoned shed, barn, or other building will allow the creature to continue its insect-hunting ways without bothering you or your family. Be aware, however, that the spider may well seek another warm indoor spot once the winter approaches.
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Spider Pest Control: Best Tips And Products
Noticing spiders outdoors is one thing but seeing them inside is another. Unfortunately, these pests typically find a way inside the house, where they could pose a risk, or simply cause a fright. Spiders may come inside during the winter to escape the cold and during the summer to find respite from hot temperatures. Spiders find their way in through cracks around windows and doors. Controlling spiders outdoors around a house will help get rid of indoor spiders. Methods of outdoor spider prevention include:
- Minimize use of outdoor lights, since lights will attract insects that spiders like to eat.
- Fill crevices and cracks in window ledges or door frames.
- Place eucalyptus sprigs around the perimeter of the house to repel spiders.
- Make a homemade spider repellent out of table salt and water and spray this mixture around outdoor landscaping and around the perimeter of the house once per week.
- Clean the gutters so that blockages dont create safe places for insects to get in through gaps between the fascia and attic.
- Clean and repair deck or porch regularly to keep small invaders from making homes in the cracks.
- Mix herbs such as tea tree oil, lavender, citronella, citrus, peppermint, and cinnamon with water to get rid of spiders.
Its also possible to buy products designed to kill spiders, though youll want to make sure to buy products that dont risk the health of children and pets.
Get Rid Of Spider Webs
As cruel as it might sound, youve to wipe out their homes first if youre trying to get rid of spiders. Generally, spiders make their webs around the light source or at the garden corners.
You might as well want to check any cluttered space in your garden as spiders love making homes in such areas.
Cobweb dusters perfectly fit around the angle of the corners and thus, might be the most effective tool for getting rid of spider webs.
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A Cup And A Piece Of Paper
Provided you dont have an infestation and are not afraid of spiders, you could choose to be humane and release the spider back into nature. Grab a cup or glass and trap the spider underneath. Then, slide the paper or cardboard beneath the glass, keeping it tight to the paper. Walk outside and release the spider.
Get Rid Of Spiders Outside Using Nature
One of the best natural remedies to get rid of spiders is nature itself. There are specific plants that spiders cannot stand. You would be surprised at what you can plant around your home to repel spiders.
Natural Spider Repellent
While it seems odd, spiders can be finicky when it comes to the odors that come from specific plants and will avoid them rather than tolerate them. Planting spider repellent plants strategically around your yard and the outside deck or patio can go a long way at keeping spiders from invading your area and making their homes there.
The peppermint plant is quite effective at deterring spiders. They cannot stand the smell of peppermint. Planting these in the yard will keep the spiders away. You can also use the leaves of this plant for tea and other cooking purposes.
The aromatic oils of the basil plant are an annoyance to many insects, including spiders. Any variety of basil works well for spider pest control and is easy to grow. This herb is also ideal for use in the kitchen and is a common ingredient in sauces.
Lavender has an aroma that is pleasing to us yet not to spiders. Planting lavender around the yard will not only keep spiders and other insects away but will be pleasing to the eye. You can even cut lavender for use in a potpourri sachet for keeping spiders out of the home.
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When Should I Call A Pro About My Ant Problem
If youve tried these tricks and youre still seeing spiders in your home, Dr. Hottel says its time to call in a professional exterminator. Thats definitely true if you happen to spot brown recluse spiders in your house . These spiders can be very difficult to eliminate on your own, Dr. Hottel says.
And, of course, theres your mental health to consider if youre afraid of spiders. You might seek out a professional for your own peace of mind, Troyano says. The thought of living with spiders can be unnerving to most people.
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Stop Having Meals On The Lawn:
Lawn spiders are mostly attracted towards those lawns/spots where they find something to eat. So, the leftover food items if not cleared from the lawn will become a cause of the incoming of spiders in your lawn. So, if you had a weekend brunch or lunch with your family and friends on your lawn, then you must clean your lawn nicely after the event is over. Polluted and messy places always attract insects, hence they destroy your space.
Lumpy lawn is a huge problem. But we got you covered here with our best tips to settle a lumpy lawn.
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Are Grass Spiders Aggressive
Grass spiders are not generally considered to be aggressive, but they are known to be quick and witty. They are also excellent jumpers, which can sometimes startle people who are not expecting it.
However, grass spiders are mostly harmless and will only bite if they feel threatened. In most cases, grass spiders will simply try to escape if they feel scared or threatened. So, while they might not be the most cuddly of creatures, there is no need to be afraid of them.
Controlling Spiders In The Garden
First, consider carefully before you decide to kill the spiders in your garden. A spider can eliminate many harmful insects from your garden. They will reduce your need for other pest controls and most are relatively harmless to you. If spider garden pests are a concern due to bites or an uncontrollable fear, then there are a few things you can try.
Insecticides are generally not the best remedies to kill spiders because spiders are not insects. In order for the insecticide to work, insects must drag their body across the place where the insecticide has been sprayed. Spiders do not crawl they lift their bodies up with their legs.
Simply consistently removing spider webs as you find them may be enough to encourage spiders living in your garden to move on. Also, reducing a spiders potential food supply will also help with encouraging a spider to leave. Consider switching outdoor lights to sodium vapor bulbs and keeping up good pest management in the garden by cleaning up fallen plant debris and addressing pest problems as soon as they appear.
Spiders are attracted to gardens with many hiding spots. Wood, rock, and compost piles or any other mass of debris will look like a comfortable and safe home to a spider. Removing these from your yard will help to keep spiders out of the garden.
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Use Vinegar To Keep Spiders Away
Vinegar may have a strong odor and a strong taste, but what makes it an effective spider repellent is actually its acidic nature. Even when diluted, vinegar is strong enough to damage the exoskeleton of spiders. Their sensitive feet will pick up on any traces of strong acidic substances and tell them to get away from that area.
You can use vinegar as a repellent or a spider killer. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray in corners of your house, along window sills and doorways, and anywhere else spiders like to hang out.
What youll need:
- 1 cup water
Get Rid Of Food Sources
In order to survive, a spider needs access to food in your garden. Removing their food source can also encourage spiders to move on and find new places to live, preferably away from your property. Most spiders eat other insects, so treating your garden with insecticide can eliminate the pests that those spiders would eat. Insecticide treatments dont work to kill spiders, but it can work to get rid of what they want to eat.
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