Hey all, has anyone ever had the experience of spiders taking residence around your semps? I am having a veritable plague of black widows living around my semps this year and wonder if I am alone in this.

Not me, and I've had semps in CA, NM, WA and OR. Now that I've said that, I hope this trend continues for me...

Saw some small jumping spiders in and around my semps this year - nice guys, but too fast for a photo. Black widows are a different chapter, but they don't exist here.

Not really... no. I would have to assume they are there for food... whatever sort of bugs those would be.

I always have small and even tiny spiders connecting webs to my semps, sedums and ID tags. I dislike spiders, but they are actually hard working volunteers. They are keeping other insects in check. If only I could train them to eat slugs!

We have a ridiculous amount of spiders this year. I'm constantly removing massive webs from my semps. Never recall having this problem before. Luckily they're small and harmless....not black widows!

Paul It could just be they need the shelter of your plants, and as you're getting more, they are realizing what a great spot it is for them With that said, mine don't seem to attract any more spiders than my other plants, which is always a few.

Yes, spiders do noble work I just wish some regular garden spiders would move in and the black widows move out! We always have them here but there's so many this year. Blech. Too bad they don't eat spider mites.

Wow, a garden bed is not a usual hang out spot for Black Widows. How odd.
I do have number of spiders in the raised beds every year. So far this year doesn't seem any different for quantity. I have jumping spiders, regular looking garden spider, the rare for us black and yellow spider, trapdoor spiders. Oh and lots of Daddy Long Legs. I love having all of them in my garden.

Good point, Lynn. Black Widows prefer dark recesses, not sunny gardens. You're more likely to find them down in a plumbing access box rather that out in the sunshine.

Actually Lynn, these spiders are making their home in my pots that I have in the far corner of my patio. Nice shady spot for them I suppose but I have no clue what they are managing to eat. I have to check under the rim of any pot I go to pick up lest it have a black widow hiding there. Little beasties. If I find just one more I am going to start charging them rent there are also tons of lizards this year, but I don't know if they prey on black widows or not.

Your placement explains why they are there Paul. Makes sense. This time of year there will be all kinds of things to eat around those containers.