If spiders give you the willies, you're not alone. But, truth be told, these creepy crawlers are very helpful in your garden.

Spiders consume everything from aphids and beetles to moths and mosquitoes. So while you may not welcome them with open arms as you would a cuddly puppy, there are a few things you can do to help spiders do their job in your garden:

Provide a diversity of plants. They attract many more spiders than a lawn alone.

Build a brush pile or rock wall. They make excellent hunting grounds for spiders. If you live in an area with venomous spiders, wear gloves when moving brush or rocks to protect yourself from accidental bites.

Leave part of your yard a little overgrown. Spiders overwinter as adults inside or under dead vegetation, creating next year's helpful population.

for more tips on these beneficial bugs.