Monday, January 23, 2012

What's the best way to get rid of spiders on all my outdoor plants?

I think they might be killing them! Normally I wouldn't want to kill the spiders because they eat any stray insects that might think about coming in, but where I live the spider-to-other-bug ratio is way off! Plus, a lot of them bite. It's a very wooded area with high moisture, but there are no mosquitos, because there are probably twenty spiders for each flying insect!

I have potted roses, lilacs, hollyhocks, etc. and I USED to have blueberries and other less hardy plants. I take excellent care of them, and the spiders are the only other thing I can suspect because there is at least one per foot of plant I have. Are there any other methods, like the dishsoap water (preferably cheap) you can reccommend to make my plants less desirable to them? Thanks! = )

What's the best way to get rid of spiders on all my outdoor plants?
I live near the woods too. I just take dish soap and put it in a bottle that you can attach to your hose (like a miracle grow bottle) I spray down all my plants at least once a week. It takes care of all bugs, spiders, and even Japanese beetles. The inspects eat the soapy water and die. Plus if cleans off you plants and they look great. It's a lot cheaper than buying bug spray.
Reply:Spiders don't eat plants; they eat bugs. They're not interested in your plants except as places to (possibly) build a web. You need to look elsewhere for the culprit. If possible, take a sample of the plant (in a plastic bag!) to your local garden center, and let a horticulturist have a look at the damaged parts; they will be able to tell a lot from that, and recommend ways to deal with whatever is troubling your flowers.



Good luck!
Reply:Just get the biggest gun you got and SHOT THEM!! hA AHA Just Kidding, go get some insecticide spray of some kind.
Reply:move from your house... just kidding... i wish good luck for you in this
Reply:squish em.U can eat the stray insects...!
Reply:spiders are strictly predators that feed on other arthropods. The spider:insect ratio you speak of is probably due to the number of spiders. Eliminate the spiders, and you will end up with more insects. Spiders remain in high numbers because they are generalist feeders. They eat virtually any arthropod... including each other. I am positive that they are not eating your plants. Your plants have other problems.
Reply:Since you have not described the spiders in question, I can only suggest that you collect a few in a small jar or plastic bag and take them to your local Agricultural Extension Office, or to a reputable Nursery and have someone identify whether they are harmful to your plants. There are insecticidal "soaps" or Sevin Dust that can easily be applied that do no harm to the plants and will control insect infestations.
Reply:do plant oregano in the same place you have your outdoor plants.
Reply:I don't think there are any spiders that live off plants. If they were killing your plants...i don't even know how they could. Spiders can't stand cold weather really. Wait for the season to change and next year i bet there won't be as many spiders.


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