As the weather gets warmer and you start to spend more time in your garden or on your lawn, you may come across a variety of spiders. While many people may have a phobia of spiders, it’s important to understand that some are actually beneficial to your lawn, as they help control pests such as aphids and mites.

Here are the 5 types of lawn spiders you need to know:

1. Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are relatively small spiders that are often brightly colored with distinctive markings. They are called jumping spiders because they use their strong hind legs to leap from place to place. They are also known for their keen vision.

Jumping spiders are great for your lawn because they are active predators and will hunt down other insects, such as mosquitoes and aphids. They are harmless to humans and will rarely bite unless provoked.

2. Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are typically larger than jumping spiders and have bulky bodies. They are often brown or gray in color and have distinct stripes or markings on their bodies. Wolf spiders are also active predators and will hunt down other insects and pests.

Like jumping spiders, wolf spiders are harmless to humans and will only bite if provoked. They are also known for their maternal instincts, as female wolf spiders will carry their young on their backs.

3. Crab Spiders

Crab spiders are named for their distinctive crab-like appearance, with their front two pairs of legs angled out to the side. They are often yellow or white in color and are able to change color to blend in with their surroundings.

Crab spiders feed on insects that visit flowers and plants. They will wait patiently for their prey to come to them and then grab them with their front legs. Crab spiders are also harmless to humans.

4. Orb Weavers

Orb weavers are larger spiders that weave intricate webs that are often characterized by concentric circles. They are typically brown or black in color and have a distinctively rounded abdomen. Orb weavers are passive hunters, waiting for insects to get trapped in their web before they pounce.

While orb weavers are beneficial to your lawn because they help control insect populations, their webs can be a nuisance to humans.

5. Garden Spiders

Garden spiders, also known as black and yellow garden spiders or writing spiders, are known for their distinctive black and yellow markings on their bodies. They weave orb-shaped webs that are often found in gardens and meadows.

Garden spiders are beneficial to your lawn because they help control the populations of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and grasshoppers. They are also harmless to humans and will only bite if they feel threatened.

In conclusion, not all spiders are harmful to your lawn, and some can actually be beneficial by controlling the populations of pests and insects. Knowing the different types of lawn spiders, their characteristics, and behaviors will help you appreciate the role they play in your garden’s ecosystem.