12 replies to this topic

[Barb J]

Our backyard lawn is infested with spiders. They are small, brown and VERY quick! I wanted to take a picture of it so I could post it but they are super fast. They are all over and don't seem to be aggressive but obviously not comfortable with letting my kids out there barefoot! When I am out there picking the nutgrass (another infestation!) they scatter. We applied a storebought insecticide for the grass this past weekend and I was just out there and saw a ton of the little guys all over.

Has anyone had eperience with this? I know that the likely advice is to call an exterminator but the cost is just not in the budget right now. We might have to make it work though if we can't get rid of them ourselves. Was wondering if this is a common thing or if we just have a spider colony living in our grass! Haven't heard anything from our neighbors and they don't seem to be in the front lawn.

And no they aren't brown recluse's and no I'm not worried that they are poisonous. Just bothersome and nasty to have in my backyard!

Any feedback is appreciated.

[momof1]

Our backyard lawn is infested with spiders. They are small, brown and VERY quick! I wanted to take a picture of it so I could post it but they are super fast. They are all over and don't seem to be aggressive but obviously not comfortable with letting my kids out there barefoot! When I am out there picking the nutgrass (another infestation!) they scatter. We applied a storebought insecticide for the grass this past weekend and I was just out there and saw a ton of the little guys all over.

Has anyone had eperience with this? I know that the likely advice is to call an exterminator but the cost is just not in the budget right now. We might have to make it work though if we can't get rid of them ourselves. Was wondering if this is a common thing or if we just have a spider colony living in our grass! Haven't heard anything from our neighbors and they don't seem to be in the front lawn.

And no they aren't brown recluse's and no I'm not worried that they are poisonous. Just bothersome and nasty to have in my backyard!

Any feedback is appreciated.

Does it look like this?



This is known as a grass spider.

Don't know what to tell you about eradicating them, I know I hate to spray my lawn with strong bug killers as it always ends up killing off the worms as well.

And spiders seem to be tougher than the average bug when it comes to killing them. I've used fog sprays for flies and stuff and that seems to work on them without causing a sudden die off of worms, but I doubt it will work on your spiders.

For more info on identifying your California Spider, try this website

[Barb J]

Similar to that one. I stopped a Pest control guy who was working in our neighbors yard and he said it's pretty common - they are called jumping spiders. He suggested to douse the lawn with a spider specific insecticide so we did that yesterday. So far so good, went out and it didn't see any live ones!

Thanks!
Barb J

[Sarah2421]

Barb,
What lawn spray did you use? Did it work? We have the same problem, tons of spiders in our lawn and gravel, and I've been trying to find something that could work! Just the thought of going out the in sandals or having kids play out there grosses me out!
Thanks!

[4thgenFolsomite]

I have never ever heard of those spiders hurting anyone. they are totally harmless. the pesticides, on the other hand, are well documented as hazardous materials. I'll take spiders any day of the week.

[folsom500]

Barb,
What lawn spray did you use? Did it work? We have the same problem, tons of spiders in our lawn and gravel, and I've been trying to find something that could work! Just the thought of going out the in sandals or having kids play out there grosses me out!
Thanks!

You might try diatomaceous-earth for critters- It is natural and fairly safe- Not the same as the DE you might use in your Pool...

See http://www.tidbitsan...omaceous-earth/

[tsukiji]

You might try diatomaceous-earth for critters- It is natural and fairly safe- Not the same as the DE you might use in your Pool...

See http://www.tidbitsan...omaceous-earth/

What happens after applying to the yard? Does it integrated into the ground (even clay?) or does it remain separate as a particulate? How long does it last?

I'm concerned about its use in areas where we garden, where pets go, etc.

[ducky]

What happens after applying to the yard? Does it integrated into the ground (even clay?) or does it remain separate as a particulate? How long does it last?

I'm concerned about its use in areas where we garden, where pets go, etc.

As long as you use the food-grade it won't harm your pets. I've even read it can be used as a wormer. Just be sure not to get the pool-grade because it is toxic to pets.

Also, I use DE very sparingly as it will kill beneficial insects. I like to keep the good bugs around. I use it in areas where earwigs can hide such as the edges of planters.

[MrsTuffPaws]

I went to college thinking it would make me a better person, not a better employee. I guess I'm old fashioned that way.

edit
:Oops, wrong thread. How did that happen? Oh well.

[UncleVinny]

Even if you hate spiders, you don't have to kill them.

Spread some bird seed around and the birds will eat both the seeds and the spider.