## How to Kill Spiders in Vegetable Garden
Spiders are a common sight in vegetable gardens, and while they can be beneficial predators of pests, they can also be a nuisance. If you’re finding that spiders are damaging your plants or making it difficult to work in your garden, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
### Identification
The first step to killing spiders in your vegetable garden is to correctly identify the type of spider you’re dealing with. There are many different species of spiders, and some are more harmful than others. If you’re not sure what type of spider you have, you can take a picture of it and bring it to your local extension office or garden center for identification.
### Exclusion
Once you know what type of spider you’re dealing with, you can start to take steps to exclude them from your garden. Here are a few tips:
Remove hiding places. Spiders like to hide in dark, moist places, so removing these hiding places will make your garden less attractive to them. This means cleaning up any piles of leaves or debris, and trimming back any overgrown vegetation.
Seal up cracks and holes. Spiders can also enter your garden through cracks and holes in your foundation or walls. Sealing up these openings will help to keep spiders out.
Use a spider barrier. You can also purchase a spider barrier to place around your garden. This barrier will create a physical barrier that spiders cannot cross.
### Trapping
If you’re having trouble excluding spiders from your garden, you can also try trapping them. Here are a few different types of traps you can use:
Sticky traps. Sticky traps are a simple and effective way to trap spiders. You can place these traps in areas where spiders are commonly seen, such as near doors or windows, or in the corners of your garden.
Live traps. Live traps are another option for trapping spiders. These traps are baited with food, and when a spider enters the trap, it is captured alive. You can then release the spider outside of your garden.
### Killing
If you’re unable to exclude or trap spiders from your garden, you may need to resort to killing them. Here are a few different methods you can use:
Insecticides. There are a number of insecticides that can be used to kill spiders. Be sure to read the label carefully before using any insecticide, and follow the directions for use.
Diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that can be used to kill spiders. When spiders come into contact with diatomaceous earth, it absorbs the oils from their exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Vacuuming. Vacuuming is a simple and effective way to remove spiders from your garden. Be sure to vacuum all of the areas where spiders are commonly seen, such as near doors or windows, or in the corners of your garden.
### Prevention
Once you’ve gotten rid of the spiders in your vegetable garden, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from coming back. Here are a few tips:
Keep your garden clean. Remove any piles of leaves or debris, and trim back any overgrown vegetation. This will make your garden less attractive to spiders.
Seal up cracks and holes. Seal up any cracks or holes in your foundation or walls. This will help to keep spiders out of your garden.
Use a spider barrier. You can also purchase a spider barrier to place around your garden. This barrier will create a physical barrier that spiders cannot cross.
Encourage natural predators. There are a number of natural predators that feed on spiders, such as birds, lizards, and frogs. Encourage these predators to visit your garden by providing them with food and shelter.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your vegetable garden free of spiders.