Giant, flying spiders roam the South. How to keep them away from your Georgia yard
First cicadas and now giant, flying spiders? 2024 is keeping us on our toes.
According to ABC news, the Joro spider has been scaring residents in New York City and New Jersey, as a “possible invasion” looms.
But lucky for Georgians (or not, perhaps), these spiders have been around since 2013. Here’s what else to know about Joro spiders:
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.
Georgia residents have probably seen the Joro spiders making themselves at home on mailboxes, porches, power lines and more.
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 Ben Turner at Live Science.
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.
Well, we will just admire them from afar then.
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 June 7, 2024 at 9:30 AM with the headline "Giant, flying spiders roam the South. How to keep them away from your Georgia yard."
