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Banded Garden Spider Egg Sac Overwintering #886138

Asked September 22, 2024, 7:44 PM EDT

Hi,I have a beautiful banded garden spider who’s taken residence this year in my front geranium and spike grass pot on my driveway.  We’ve watched her grow and even provided some tasty grasshoppers.  We  noticed she retreated low for a day or so and emerged smaller.  I figured she likely laid her eggs and sure enough the light hit it just right today that I see it at the base.  It’s a big one.  I read she’ll die at freeze and the eggs overwinter.  I normally repot this in fall with fall flowers but will not this time due to this.  I also normally bring in my pots overwinter to the garage.  How should I handle it this year to give these babies a chance for spring?  Should I keep the pot outside all winter or should I bring them in?  Should I harvest the sage and place it in a terrarium (guessing not).


Thanks,
Keri

Weld County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Keri,

Any North American spider that needed artificial shelter for the winter would have been extinct long before Europeans arrived. The spiderlings should be just fine being left outside. You could bring them into your garage, as long as your garage doesn't get too warm during the winter. If the egg sac gets too warm during winter, it could bring the spiderlings out of dormancy (diapause). If they can't find a food source after ending diapause, they will die.

Let me know if you have further questions. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 23, 2024, 5:37 PM EDT

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