How to Feed a Garden Spider

Many species of garden spiders can be found in the United States, but two of the most common ones are the European garden spider and the Argiope garden spider. Garden spiders may seem like pests, but their presence is beneficial to the garden at large. They are important because they control insect pests. Because they're predators, they pose no threat to plants. If you are attempting to keep spiders in your garden, keep a steady supply of insects for them to prey on.

Things You'll Need

• Small insects, spiders, or invertebrates

Instructions

1. Collect prey that the garden spider commonly eats. According to Dr. Linda S. Rayor, an assistant professor of entomology at Cornell University, insects, smaller spiders and invertebrates such as worms are living animals that garden spiders commonly feast on. Visit a pet store and purchase live animals that fit this description. Alternatively, capture prey yourself.

2. Place the live prey into the habitat of the garden spider. If the spider has been captured as a pet, place the prey into the cage or box that houses it. If the spider lives in the wild, place the prey in close vicinity of the spider's normal habitat.

3. Allow the spider to capture and eat the prey on its own. The spider traps the prey in its web and uses its venom to paralyze and kill it, according to the Study of Northern Virginia Ecology website. After the prey has been eaten, replenish the animal supply the following day.

References

• Colorado State University Extension - Denver Master Gardener: All About Spiders; Linda S. Rayor
• Study of Northern Virginia Ecology: Black and Yellow Garden Spider