I do not mind spiders in the greenhouse as they are doing a great job in pest control however, I shuddered year before last when I had an infestation of spider mite. There were still some minor infestations on several plants last year. Since then I have disinfected the green house, creosoted the wood, all the plants were left out in pots until the 1st autumnal frost then brought back in. All my canes and wooden shelving has been burnt on the bonfire and metal shelving disinfected. I now worry everytime I see a thick mesh of webbing on a plant in case it is re-occurring. Have you any suggestions on what further I can do? Thank you
Since the weekend there has been loads of frogspawn in our small pond. Unfortunately we have had a light dusting of snow overnight and more snow and frost is expected over the next few days. Is there anything we can do to protect the frogspawn against frost?
Mvairi Lynch. Although frost and ice may cover the surface of the pond, the water lower down is a few vital degrees above freezing, so some of the spawn should survive.
Reply for Grannyanne - Fri 27th Feb. The 'Tabby' spiders that you find are likely to be a common garden species often called orb web spiders - Araneus diadematus. These beautiful creatures vary in colour from grey-brown to reddish brown with a pattern of dots and streaks on the abdomen that forms a distinct cross. They can grow up to 12 mm. I love them too.
Is there any way of keeping spiders out of our green houses? we have de-clutered but they still persist on coming in. I have a terrible phobia of them, and I do worry this will with hold me from my career as a gardener plus my partner can't keep running out every time!? What can I do?
Reply to LN Sorry to hear you do not like spiders. The only way to keep them out of the greenhouse is to seal it hermetically. This will do nothing for what you are growing in there. You could try putting net screens over the windows and vents, but I suspect they will still crawl in under the door. Spiders do no harm in the garden or to you. You can get battery-powered suck-up-and-hold spider removers; like a mini-vacuum cleaner but you release them unharmed out doors. If you can get over your phobia enough to get close, then a glass tumbler and index card plop-over and scoop-up method is easiest. You do not have to pick up spiders in bare or gloved hand. The best way to get rid of a fear of anything is to study them. Buy a book on spiders, learn all about their web-building and other habits, watch them, from afar, then closer as they build their aerial silk snares. When you first get into the greenhouse, actively look for and find them, then they will not startle you when you suddenly notice them out of the corner of your eye. Good luck.
As regarsd spiders and biting, so ok the local ones won't do you harm, but what about the incomers! A guy who i come across quite a lot through my work was badly bitten by what the local hospital refered to as a false black widow, he was very poorly for severel days, even though he got to hospital relatively quickly. With the dead spider (that he had swatted off his arm)
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Grannyanne. Not sure about tabby spiders. The usual orb-web spiders on garden shrubs are the common garden spider, Aranaeus diadematus. Try http://www.gardensafari.net/pics/spinnen/araneus_diadematus_ha0_2027.jpg
Gill. There is some advice at http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/nonflash_index.shtml?two_spot_spider_mite
Good luck.
Mvairi Lynch. Although frost and ice may cover the surface of the pond, the water lower down is a few vital degrees above freezing, so some of the spawn should survive.
The 'Tabby' spiders that you find are likely to be a common garden species often called orb web spiders - Araneus diadematus. These beautiful creatures vary in colour from grey-brown to reddish brown with a pattern of dots and streaks on the abdomen that forms a distinct cross. They can grow up to 12 mm. I love them too.
Sorry to hear you do not like spiders. The only way to keep them out of the greenhouse is to seal it hermetically. This will do nothing for what you are growing in there. You could try putting net screens over the windows and vents, but I suspect they will still crawl in under the door. Spiders do no harm in the garden or to you. You can get battery-powered suck-up-and-hold spider removers; like a mini-vacuum cleaner but you release them unharmed out doors. If you can get over your phobia enough to get close, then a glass tumbler and index card plop-over and scoop-up method is easiest. You do not have to pick up spiders in bare or gloved hand. The best way to get rid of a fear of anything is to study them. Buy a book on spiders, learn all about their web-building and other habits, watch them, from afar, then closer as they build their aerial silk snares. When you first get into the greenhouse, actively look for and find them, then they will not startle you when you suddenly notice them out of the corner of your eye. Good luck.