If you have ever tried to research the subject of spiders and what attracts them, then you no doubt have come across references to plants that attract jumping spiders.
And if you are a spider fan, you may well be interested in knowing which plants are most likely to attract your favorite species of spider.
The good news is that there are some pretty good reasons for why some plants are more likely to attract certain species than others.
Let’s look at the types of plants that are likely to attract jumping spiders, and how you can get rid of them by choosing other plants.
One thing to bear in mind is that many plants are naturally attracted by insects. Many species of spider are actually predator animals that feed off of other animals.
Examples of insects to look out for include:
- Moths
- Caterpillars
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles.
You will also find certain species of spider that are more inclined to eat certain kinds of plants, such as those that grow close to the ground or those that are underdeveloped.
Plants With Smooth Underside
If you want to avoid attracting these insects to your garden, choose plants that have a smooth underside.
That way, you will not confuse it with a plant that has a hard, pointy underside that can be difficult for the larger species of insects to reach.
Other common plants that attract jumping spiders are those that are dark green in color.
Although this is generally true, there are some exceptions to this rule, and some plants are naturally light green in color when they are new. Examples of such plants are:
- Liars
- Phlox
- Celandine, Ivy
- Mistletoe
- Azalea
Shape and Structure of Plants
When looking at plants that attract jumping spiders, you also need to think about their shape and structure.
Many plants that are naturally attractive to spiders are spiny. Spiders have a number of spines on their body that enable them to easily move about.
They use their spines to climb the stems of plants, and to move between hiding locations to bite and inject venom.
Some of these plants that attract jumping spiders include:
- Allspice
- Meadow grass
- Cosmos
- Cleavers
- Anemone
- Japanese spurge
- Kangaroo paw
- capers
There are some natural plants that may look like spiders but are not really poisonous, such as the ephedra plant.
Plants That Grow Near Bushes
If you would like to find plants that attract jumping spiders, you should look out for plants that grow near bushes, brushlands, or thickets.
These can provide the ideal habitat for these creatures, because they have adequate cover to hide in, and plenty of different places to hang out.
Also look out for plants that have flowers that display the common yellow or orange color pattern that attracts these spiders. You should also be aware of the fact that there are other types of insects, such as wasps and hornets that also make their homes around plants that attract these insects.
Some plants may also be eaten by the jumping spider. This includes:
- Milkweed, and
- Alfalfa
These plants have been shown to attract a range of different species. You should also bear in mind that not all plants are safe from these predators, so it is important to plant your garden in a way that will ensure they cannot access it.
You can prevent them from getting onto your plants by removing any dangerous plants from the garden or by using insecticides around the plants that you want to attract.
Are jumping spiders good for garden?
When considering whether to use a repellent for your garden against jumping spiders, it is important to remember that most are not aggressive.
Often times, people mistake them for a dangerous animal such as a rattlesnake or wolf, but these animals are very temperate and rarely attack.
Instead they like to jump from plant to plant, so you will rarely, if ever, have an encounter with one unless you are very lucky.
Also keep in mind that a spider is not hunting prey it is simply seeking to escape. So, if a spider does find itself in your garden it is simply trying to get out.
Liquid Spider Repellents
Commonly available repellents for the garden include the liquid spider repellent which has a long shelf life and comes in a concentrated form.
The spider spray available at many stores is also popular due to its effectiveness and relatively inexpensive price tag.
Green Spider Bait
Another popular product that can be sprayed around the garden is called green spider bait which is also effective at keeping the spider away.
Because these creatures are so abundant on the U.S. East Coast, it is likely that you will come across more than one species.
Commonly known as brown marmorated spiders, they are often mistaken for other harmless insects such as wasps or hornets.
These types of spiders are most active during the evening hours and tend to hide in dark areas of the yard. Some common areas to find them are around decks, sheds, attics, and between bricks and lumber.
Commonly referred to as spider-web weavers these creatures spin webs that resemble flowers or small trees. While their appearance may give the impression of a large spider, they are actually quite tiny.
There are around seven species of jumping spiders in North America and most are considered harmless. If you have observed a swarm of jumping spiders in your yard, it is best to call your local pest control company to remove them for safety precautions.
Before attempting to use products to rid your yard of these insects it is best to learn about the habits of the species you do have.
As with most pests, the fastest way to eradicate them is prevention. The safest way to prevent spiders from inhabiting your garden is to check for webs in hidden places and monitor for their activity. If you discover dead spiders or egg sacs in pots or other containers, you can quickly remove them to prevent new spiders from using them.
Are jumping spiders good for garden? Only you can determine if this type of insect is a threat to your plants.
While they pose no harm to most people, their bites can cause severe itching and inflammation. Prevention is the best way to protect yourself and your family from this nuisance.
Are jumping spiders poisonous?
If you are a spider fan then there are few things that you probably do not want to know about the most common spider found in the United States, the black widow spider. These spiders tend to be found in the southern part of the country, specifically along the Mississippi and Louisiana borders. They are also known to inhabit areas that have a lot of vegetation and can thus be an inconvenient addition to a home or apartment dweller’s diet.
While these spiders are found throughout the United States, they seem to enjoy a particularly healthy population in Florida, where they are most often found around the Everglades in Florida, and along the Gulf Coast states. The black spider is the most poisonous of all known spiders but does not usually cause harm unless it is threatened. These spiders often prey upon birds and other small animals. The red-back spider is the most dangerous and is believed to be one of the leading causes of black bear attacks.
If you are asking “are jumping spiders poisonous?” then the answer is yes, although rarely if ever. Though this is the case, there are precautions that should be taken if one should encounter one. The most important thing to realize is that although these creatures are considered harmless, they are not welcome guests in any home. Any place or situation where one finds one should be left as safe as possible.
One of the first steps should be to eliminate the possibility of their introduction into your home through the web. Common ways of doing this include building a solid seal around the perimeter of the house. This includes sealing any porous materials such as window sills, surrounding holes in the foundation, and installing deadbolt locks. This approach will discourage spiders from entering. In addition, it can be difficult to completely eliminate the spiders once they have entered. For example, if a homeowner is using pesticides on their yard, they may not be able to eradicate all of the remaining spiders once they enter the house.
Another step is to avoid contact with the common spider species. These include black widow, brown recluse spider, wolf spider, mouse spider. Although these creatures are rarely seen, they are still a danger to humans. They can bite, which may result in anaphylactic shock and even death. Therefore, any bite should be taken seriously.
Conclusion
Although there is no real way to predict how long a person will have to live after encountering a spider, there are other indicators that help lead people in identifying whether they are infected or not.
For instance, if one has an extreme case of itching in the infected area, it could indicate an invasion of arachnids.
Similarly, if one starts to cough frequently, this may mean that the patient has an infection in the lung.
Lastly, if one begins to have discolored hair and lesions, then the patient probably has an adult version of the syndrome. Knowing the answer to the question ‘how are jumping spiders poisonous?’
