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Agriculture

As fall temperatures cool, spider encounters in homes become more common. This happens as spiders near the end of their life cycles and are searching for mates and places to lay their egg sacks. Fortunately, these encounters do not need to be scary, as most species of regional spiders are not risky to humans.

Spiders are highly beneficial to the environment and people. They are predators of insects and are also an excellent food source for insects and wildlife that we often enjoy, including praying mantises, birds, and mammals. The vast majority of spiders are also unaggressive and can even be considered docile. They come in a wide array of colors and shapes, and their diversity in ecology and behavior is truly incredible. So, perhaps they should be appreciated more than feared.

Horticulture

• If natural precipitation is sparse and ground is not frozen, water evergreen trees and shrubs to ensure they are well hydrated heading into winter.
• Winterize - blow out irrigation systems.
• Winterize lawn mowers, rototillers by either draining the gas or adding a fuel stabilizer (follow manufacturer recommendation).
• Clean and sharpen dirty garden tools and treat with old oil or other rust inhibiting products.
• Disconnect hoses from water spouts to avoid freezing damage.

4-H