Invite spiders to yard

Spiders are good to have in your yard. Some people have arachnophobia and others want to eliminate anything wild. In the elite society of Europe, spider webs were considered a cultural art form. People went into their yards and captured spider webs between two pieces of plate glass, then framed and hung them on their walls.

A yard absent of spiders and spider webs may indicate one not healthy enough to support insects, spiders or birds. Hummingbirds use spider webs to build their nests, and without spiders an important resource is missing. The way to support birds, insects and spiders is with native plants. Native plants produce native insects that are eaten by 97 percent of our birds. Insects fuel the world. Yards do not have native plants but non-native ones from big-box stores or placed by landscapers. These do not support native insects or birds. Many people are plant-blind. They do not know a native plant from a non-native species.

Homeowners need to adjust their thinking and priorities. Get rid of the pesticides, yard service, and nonnative plants and do more for the birds. We are losing 4 percent of our birds per year, and 40 percent fewer birds are crossing the Gulf than crossed just 10 years ago. Birds are blinking out of existence in your lifetime. Be part of the solution and make your yard healthy for birds, insects, and spiders. JERRY WAYNE DAVIS

Hot Springs