Giant spiders are invading GA and making big golden webs. Here’s how to deal with them
Nature-made Halloween decorations looming around your porch? Well, you’re not the only one.
Joro spiders are a massive invasive species invading the South, but how?
Well, they’ve been around since 2013, but probably originally hopped on a shipment container from East Asia.
Here’s what else to know about the creepy crawler:
The Joro spider is a huge, yellow, blue-black and red spider that spins huge gold webs. In fact, the spiders are palm-sized and have four-inch legs. Yikes! However, that’s not even the creepiest part.
Joro spiders can fly. Or well, sort of. Technically, they don’t have wings, but they practice something called “ballooning” or “parachuting.”
“Joro hatchlings typically emerge in spring and early summer. The tiny spiders ride the winds using their silk as a balloon,” according to USA Today. “If its silk gets long enough, winds can carry it 100 miles or more.” Now, that’s scary.
Sure, they bring the creep factor, but they actually bring many benefits, too. Joro spiders kill off mosquitoes, biting flies and stink bugs.
And if you do get too close, don’t worry, their bite and venom will not hurt you.
“The venom poses no threat to humans, cats or dogs, unless they are allergic to it,” said experts at Live Science.
And since their bite isn’t anything to worry about, UGA undergraduate researcher Benjamin Frick said, there’s no reason to mess with the spiders or hurt them.
“You have people with saltwater guns shooting them out of the trees and things like that, and that’s really just unnecessary,” he said.
However, if you’re experiencing a huge invasion, here’s what to do:
- Keeping a tidy yard and clearing any firewood
- Remove webs when you can
- Call a local pest control expert
Have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Giant spiders are invading GA and making big golden webs. Here’s how to deal with them."
