AusBonsai

Hi
I have noticed that I have been getting a lot of spider webs on my Bonsai lately.
I don't seem to be able to find the culprits, so they must be small.
They are webbing up the foliage, which looks horrible.
I am thinking about spraying them with something, but have no idea of what I should use
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Brad

P.S. The only good spider is a DEAD spider

Hi I had this problem a few years ago I now spray Natural Pyrethrum on all my trees 3 times dureing the year it kills most insects and spiders,I have no problems now. regards phantom

Spiders are friends and should be encouraged, they eat all sorts of nasty bugs. I have resident spiders in my trees every summer and they are very welcome.
Craigw

I am with Craig on this one...

Spiders are the most beneficial of all the possible things you could get living in your trees.

I have many trees covered in varying amounts of web and absolutely NO pests... even my roses are aphid free since allowing the spiders free rein....

Let them live & thank them daily for keeping your trees pest free!

Matt

Edit: the only time they are not welcome is when I walk thru the web in the middle of the night because i dont want to bother with the light...

I agree with all except the nasty little red spider mite.

Edit: the only time they are not welcome is when I walk thru the web in the middle of the night because i dont want to bother with the light...


Yes, i can relate to that, only i cop it early mornings.

hi guy the use of Natural Pyrethrum is fine as its not a poision but a deterant.

but i also agree that spiders are a must in this world trust me we need them!!

I understand what everyone is saying, I too encourage and keep spiders in many of my trees. Though they do have a tendency to web/wrap new foliage. If not pulled off it can die back.
Jumping spiders are my favourite, so socialble and funny with their articulated neck, they look up at you. Funny little things, I handle photograph them all the time.

MattA wrote:....Edit: the only time they are not welcome is when I walk thru the web in the middle of the night ...

Even worse when you're nekkid on a hot night!

If its dense webs amongst the leaves it might not be spiders at all. There are some caterpillars that make webs for protection. We have lots this year on a range of natives in the garden - Leptospermum, Kunzea, Melaleuca, Eremophila and persoonia all affected this year. All recover quickly without treatment though. If you gently tease apart the webbing the caterpillar often drops out onto the ground and escapes.
Dipel is good for caterpillars as it does not kill other bugs.

shibui wrote:If its dense webs amongst the leaves it might not be spiders at all. There are some caterpillars that make webs for protection. We have lots this year on a range of natives in the garden - Leptospermum, Kunzea, Melaleuca, Eremophila and persoonia all affected this year. All recover quickly without treatment though. If you gently tease apart the webbing the caterpillar often drops out onto the ground and escapes.
Dipel is good for caterpillars as it does not kill other bugs.

here here i second that! caterpillars do that tight leaf binding! and dipel is a natural product derived from a bacteria
found in soil so no harm done to other vital insects (yes spiders included)

G/Day!, Michell,

I'm fascinated with your "Jumping Spiders"

This could be a whole new post. How about some photos?

I'm not far from you (Telopea) but can't remember seeing these jumping spiders. Fascinating.

Spiders are definitely friendly sentinels watching over our Bonsai.

I have a great collection of Praying Mantis amongst the Bonsai and they are also a beneficial.
When you observe them and even handle them for a while , their reactions seem to indicate a degree of intelligence....creepy!

Gary

Spiders are fine as long as they stay outside and away from me. I don't mind them on my trees as long as they are little, and I don't need to work on that particular tree at that partiuclar time. They are not my favourite beastie, but I do respect their place in the food chain.

Glenda

I personally think spiders are a wonderful creature! The most common to get on your bonsai are the jumping spider, the small spiders are very fast, harmless and hungry. They're good to have on your trees and they love to eat those pesky aphids, you don't have too take care of them either (as long as the bonsai trees are outside). They're more of pets than pests really, i think you should thank him to be there. Honestly i purposely get spiders and keep them on the trees. It's a pet, a decoration and a natural bug killer all at the same time!!! they're worth keeping

G'day Gary, I'm Pm you. Sorry missed your post before.

Half a year ago, I lost all my photography work from the previous 2 years, that included all my macro work, 1000's and 1000's of processed shots gone. I'll try and find some of mine from sites I have uploaded too in the past.

Here's a little JS shot on glass, with a film of water on top of it. He's about 4mm long. It also shows an effect I discovered, amoungst jumping spider where they "emmit" a glow. You can not see this at all, with the naked eye. I can not find sources on the net either, though I am sure someone else may have figured it out too. I have heaps more like this, I'll try and find them later after work.