Spiders and Why You Want Them Around
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Spiders and Why You Want Them Around
Updated March 2025 | Written by: Grace Ferry and Brian Kunkel
House Spider
Common Name: American House Spider
Scientific Name: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
They Eat Pests in Your Home
Mosquitoes that can carry viruses like West Nile and Zika virus
Flies that can spread E. coli and Salmonella
Termites, spiders or other arthropodsYellow Garden Spider
Yellow Garden Spider
Common Name: Yellow Garden Spider
Scientific Name: Argiope aurantia
They Eat Pests in Your Garden
Aphids and white flies that vector disease
Caterpillars and beetles that feed on plants
Grass Spider
Common Name: Grass Spider
Scientific Name: Agelenopsis
Characteristics:
Cave-like web
Fast speed
Yellowish-brown color.
Orb Weaver
Common Name: Orb Weaver
Scientific Name: Araneidae
Characteristics:
The females are larger than males
Feed on a variety of insects.
Wolf Spider
Common Name: Wolf Spider
Scientific Name: Lycosidae
Characteristics:
They are solitary spiders
They do not spin webs
They carry egg sacs or spiderlings on their back
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