They’re undoubtedly crawly, and they can be somewhat creepy, and without a doubt, some of us would like to see the rain wash them out. Unfortunately, though, sometimes those pesky grass spiders settle into our lawn, and we have to take matters into our own hands.
Grass spiders are members of the Agelenidae family, known for building funnel-shaped webs in the grass and low plants. They are brown with stripes and grown to about an inch long, often mistaken for wolf or hobo spiders, but are differentiated by a chevron pattern on their abdomen.
Unlike some other types of spiders, they never build webs up high, they won’t damage your lawn, and they rarely ever bit humans or pets. Since they also help keep problematic insects under control, they can be helpful in your yard.
But if you’re not a fan of grass spiders in your lawn, there are numerous ways to get rid of them.
- After family barbeques, dinners on the back patio, or ice cream on the trampoline, take the time to clean up food and crumbs left behind. These tasty morsels attract ants to your yard, and then the spiders follow suit on a hunt for the ants.
- While it doesn’t seem appealing to you, don’t leave pet food outside for extended periods either. Like human food, pet food doesn’t attract spiders but attracts other insects that invite grass spiders.
- Mow your lawn frequently, cutting it to the proper recommended height. A regularly manicured turf gives grass spiders less material to weave their webs, so they go elsewhere.
- Trim bushes, shrubs, and hedges regularly, especially those close to your house.
- Don’t allow brush piles to accumulate. Either burn them, take the brush to the local landfill, or chop materials up and add them to your compost pile.
- Manually remove webs from the lawn and flowerbeds with a broom or rake. Knocking their webs down encourages them to a new space (hopefully a few houses down from yours). You can also remove webs using a high-pressure sprinkler.
- If the infestation is terrible or the spiders are moving inside your home, it may be worth considering chemical control. Depending upon your budget and comfort level, you can opt to tackle the project yourself or hire a pest control company to spray. If you take on the project, choose an appropriate insecticide, and always follow the directions carefully on the label. Misapplying insecticides can kill off beneficial soil organisms and pollinators.
