Creeping Charlie or Ground Ivy as we call it, has taken over the back corner of the yard, but it's keeping all the other weeds down and it does smell good when it's cut. But as for all time invasive, there are two plants that I didn't put in but are a nuisance. The wild Rose of Sharon that spreads everywhere and I spend hours every year pulling it out of the 50 yr old peonies and rose bush. There must be thousands of seedlings in the grass. Its my neighbors plant and "she likes it." I call it the the Rose of Sharon from Hell. Then there's a second plant that grows to like 7 feet tall that looks like bamboo with trailers underground. They're impossible to pull out and break at the sections. I have yet to discover what they are.

Could it be Arilus cristatus, commonly known as a wheel bug? I've been seeing quite a few of these myself lately. They are a beneficial insect, but they will bite! It's also known as an assassin bug. In the nymph stage, they can have a first glance appearance of a spider. Google images for Arilus cristatus nymph and see if this is indeed the culprit... Here is a link that might be useful: Arilus cristatus

Rhizo_1......thanks for the science refresher. I dislike them so, that i loose my mind when seeing them & never think about their habits & such. And i'm glad i've wrongly used the term "infest". Thats a relief. BotanyBob....sticky traps is great idea, also the extention office, never thought that far either. But Jean001 has been a blessing, after i so rudely replyed to Jeans response earlier.....Thank you Jean001....I do believe you have possibly hit the head on the nail for me! This sack spider looks alot like the ones i have been squashing. I am going to try & post a pic of one i googled with the name Jean001 gave me. As for the biting part, well i am not sure of the spider species that bit my sister, but i am relieved to hear that theres not many species here in iowa that bite, and that they won't go after my plants unless theres something yummy for them lurking in their pots. My son had a spider bite on his back when he was 3, had a real strange pattern to it, the doc gave him some ointment & it cleared up shortly with no problem. Still does nothing to sooth my phobia tho. Okay hope i can get the pic to show up..... Thanks everyone for your help & advise! Enjoy your day! Tonia Here is a link that might be useful:

the spiders will eat whatever is eating the holes in your plants. There are several thousand varieties of spiders so identification can be very tricky, even with pictures. All spiders can bite but MOST can't break the skin-their little fangs just are too little, brown recluses and black widows of course can, so can others. Just wear the gloves and be happy you have spiders. They are a sign of a healthy environment. Tally Ho!