Eight Legs. Zero Worries. Why You Want Spiders in Your Yard
They’re nature’s pest control — and your garden’s best friend.
It’s a safe bet that most people who Google “spiders” are curious about how to keep them out of their homes (we promise we’ll touch on that). It’s understandable because spiders should be outside in your yard. Not just far away, but everywhere in your garden and among your plants, doing spider stuff. Spiders are an important group of tiny creatures that play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem — which, yes also includes your yard. We’ll dive into the fascinating world of spiders shortly, but first, a word from their sponsor.
Spiders don’t get much positive PR. We fear them because of their “legginess” and speed. Even though they want nothing to do with us, the fact that some species can deliver a painful bite and venom is enough to make us suspicious of the entire diverse group. They really need a good PR campaign, and let’s give it to them because their value in this world is largely unknown and unappreciated. By the end of this article, we hope you’ll not only stop chasing spiders from your home but also celebrate them when you see them in the wild.
What Do Spiders Do, Anyway?
Part of being less afraid of things we don’t understand is understanding them better. Spiders are predators that mainly eat insects. They are the top predators among the leaves and in the mulch zone — and it’s really cool how they catch their meals. Different kinds of spiders have their own unique ways of catching dinner.
The “Charlotte’s Web” spiders spin a sticky web every evening, often of intricate complexity, to catch whatever small insect stumbles into it. These spiders include the “garden spider.” We especially notice them in fall when they reach full size and are nearing the end of their lives. An adult female garden spider can be an inch long, and with legs, as much as three inches. Like most spiders, they only live for a year. They hatch as tiny spiderlings in spring and grow larger throughout the year. In fall, they have lived most of their lives and are preparing to lay eggs and die. Although many people are afraid of them, it’s hard to deny how beautiful they often are.
And then there’s the bolas spider. All spiders can spin silk, but not all make webs. The bolas spider creates a silken line with a sticky blob at the end, which she whips around like a tiny cowgirl with a bug lasso. Yeehaw!
Some spiders are stealthy predators. They blend in with tree bark or within flowers. The goldenrod crab spider can even change colors like a chameleon, shifting from pale pink to dark yellow as it waits on a flower for its prey to land. You can find these spiders if you look carefully among your flowers.
Other spiders, especially those patrolling the mulch zone, chase down their prey. Wolf spiders get their name from this behavior. They don’t spin webs, but the female spider makes a silken egg sac to carry her eggs. When the spiderlings hatch, this spider super-mom carries them on her back for several days to a few weeks until they are strong enough to be on their own.
This is just a handful of examples showcasing the captivating coolness factor that spiders possess.
Why Do I Want Them in My Yard?
Spiders do not eat your plants. They quietly control insects that could become pests if left unchecked, and most homeowners appreciate this. Studies show that spiders are especially abundant in gardens where pest insects thrive — nature’s built-in balance system at work.
Even though they are apex predators in their small world, they are prey for birds. And like all creatures trying to survive in our ever-diminishing urban landscapes, birds need all the help they can get. Spiders are right there in the middle of a crucial food chain.
If you notice many spiders and various types of spiders in your yard, it’s a good sign that your yard is healthy.
OK, But I Still Want to Know: How Do I Get Them Out of My House?
The good news is that spiders don’t really want to be in your house. They want to be where there are plenty of insects — and a good chance to find a mate.
- Seal obvious cracks where insects easily get in.
- Keep lights off at night. Web-weaving spiders often build webs around lights that attract flying insects.
- Catch them gently using a glass and a stiff piece of paper, then release them outside.
I’m a Convert! How Do I Care for Spiders?
What’s good for spiders is what’s good for healthy gardens generally. It’s not too hard to make spiders feel welcome.
- Start by leaving the leaves in the fall. If you must rake, pile leaves in another area.
- Mulch bare ground — this protects soil and provides cover for small life forms.
- Avoid pesticides and let spiders, birds, and other predators do their jobs.
- Grow tall plants or a small meadow which we call Piedmont Prairies. Many spiders make their homes on flower stems.
- Create brush or wood piles (away from foundations) to offer damp shelter for spiders and their neighbors.
It’s natural to feel uneasy about spiders. But the more you learn about them, the more you may find yourself rooting for these stealthy eight-legged hunters. By giving them a corner of your yard and a little patience, you’re helping build a healthier ecosystem — one silent pounce at a time.
