Do Spiders Affect Plants?
WouterIf you have spiders in your garden, you may be wondering if they actually affect your plants. Spiders do not damage the foliage on plants, but they can feed on insects, such as aphids and beetles, which can damage your flowers.
Spiders in the garden are an asset because they keep pests under control. Depending on the species of spider, they can eat aphids, budworms, beetles, caterpillars, wasps, leafhoppers, thrips, and other common garden pests.
Spiders can also help with other problems. They can capture aphids and other insects, and they can suck the mites dry. The web they produce helps prevent sunlight from reaching the plants.
In addition to feeding on bugs, they can also catch beneficial insects, such as lady beetles, and suck them dry. A spider’s most important job is not to kill, but to eat, and this is how they keep the population under control.
To keep spiders from destroying your plants, consider relocating your plant to a different location. Try planting tall plants away from windows or exterior walls. This will prevent them from being sucked into your house.
Another option is to use a neem oil spray. Neem seeds contain a compound called azadirachtin, which disrupts the pest hormones that cause spider mites to replicate.
Plant extracts are another effective way to get rid of spider mites. However, don’t overwater your plants, which can attract thrips and whiteflies.
One of the best ways to find out if your plants are infested by spiders is to look at the underside of the leaves. These insects can be easily identified by their silk-like threads.
