Spiders

The United States is home to hundreds of spider species. Though black widows and brown recluse spiders (also known as violin spiders) are two exceptions, very few spiders endanger humans. Spider diets consist largely of live insects, including many common garden pests. But when spiders make their way indoors or surprise family and friends on your patio they disrupt households nonetheless.

Spider Identification: Spiders belong to a category of creatures known as arachnids, which includes ticks and scorpions, but not insects. Adult spiders range from pinhead size to several inches across, with colors and markings as varied as their sizes. While insects have six legs and three main body parts, spiders have eight legs and two primary body parts. Immature "spiderlings" hatch from egg sacs as small versions of adults.

Signs/Damage of Spiders: Spiders don't damage plants, so they're less obvious than insect pests. Some types spin insect-catching webs in intricate patterns or irregular cobwebs, but others forgo webs and hunt their prey instead. Often, the only sure sign of a spider infestation is seeing them in or around your home. They're often found in dark, moist hiding places that draw insects near.

How to Control Spiders: Large spider populations indicate other pest issues. Spiders go where their food source is plentiful, so managing insect pests is essential to control. Effective treatment targets spiders and the insects they eat before they make their way indoors.

GardenTech^® brand offers a highly effective granular product to create a barrier of protection around your home. This product kills spiders and more than 100 insect pests by contact and keeps protecting for up to three months:

• Sevin^® Insect Killer Granules treat lawns, gardens and foundation areas. Apply the ready-to-use granules with a standard lawn spreader in a 5- to 10-foot band around your home's perimeter. Water the treated area immediately to release the product's active ingredients.

Garden Tech^® brand also offers liquid products to treat lawns, gardens, foundation plantings and your home's foundation up to a maximum height of 3 feet. These highly effective, non-staining products kill spiders and more than 500 insect pests by contact and keep working for up to three months:

• Sevin^® Insect Killer Ready to Spray simplifies thorough coverage of plants, lawns and your home's perimeter. Just attach the container to a normal garden hose. It mixes and measures the concentrated formula automatically as you spray.
• Sevin^® Insect Killer Concentrate, used with a pump-style sprayer, allows for economical, precision coverage for lawns, gardens and home perimeters. Measure the concentrate with the convenient measuring cap and add water. Then mix well and spray all surfaces thoroughly.

Tip: Inspect your home and seal any foundation cracks and crevices where spiders may follow insects into your home. Keep foundations free of leaf debris and other insect hiding places that attract spiders in search of food.Always read product labels and follow the instructions carefully, including guidelines for pre-harvest interval on edible crops.

GardenTech is a registered trademark of Gulfstream Home and Garden, Inc.

Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.