Frequently Asked Questions
Question
Q
I found a spider in my garden among some weeds that matches the description of a black widow except it has three distinct white dots on its back.
Answer(s)
A
I have checked with a spider specialist in my department, Dr. James Pitts, and he says: It could be a juvenile black widow. They sometimes have various markings (yellow, red or white) on the dorsum of the abdomen. The dorsum is the upper side or back of an animal. So you may have found a juvenile black widow. Here is a link to a USU Extension fact sheet on spiders:
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/30.pdf
Since the spider is in your garden, I would advise avoiding its home (web) or removing it.
Other Questions In This Topic
- I have a dogwood shrub that did wonderfully well in the spring and is now slowly dying. I do deep watering once every two weeks and that seems to help but not enough. Any recommendations? It gets full sun most of the day.
- When should apple trees be sprayed and how should we go about it. Is there someone in Utah Co. who will come and do it. We have a golden apple tree that produces big, good apples when taken care of.
- Last year I had a problem in the fall with my tomatoes cracking. I have heard that it is because of uneven watering conditions. I have also been told to plant tomatoes that are less apt to crack. Can you recommend a variety that is less likely to crack? Thanks.
- I planted a garden last year and some animal kept eating it and we didn't yield anything from it. Aside from putting a fence around the garden is there anything else I could do?
- I am looking for information on when pumkins are ripe.
- Putting more color in your landscape
- I would like to fertilize for weeds, but it has been so hot lately. Is there anything I can do this time of the year to kill weeds in my lawn, and if so, should I use granules or a spray?
- I need info on the care and maintenance of a Christmas Poinsetta. In the past I have lost them and really wish to keep this one alive to add to my current household of plants.
Note: These questions are a portion of the questions available at the master page.
© Copyright Utah State University Extension, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
