Nature is powerful and often curious. We dodged a bullet in New York with Asian Giant Hornets or Murder Hornets, and now we welcome Joro Spiders. These unique spiders are purported to be stowaways in shipping containers. Joro spiders are thought to be migrating up the U.S. East Coast as they spread from their home in Georgia in search of colder temperatures. Researchers are unsure if they will make it north to New York but may be seen as far north as Washington DC and Delaware.
What is a Joro Spider?
Joro spiders are native to Japan and East Asia, arriving in the US around 2013. They built their homes in Georgia and have taken over northern Georgia and parts of South Carolina. According to NPR, the Joro spider is native to Japan but began infiltrating the U.S. in 2013, concentrating in the southeast and specifically Georgia. They fanned out across the state using their webs as tiny, terrifying parachutes to travel with the wind.
Axios.com shares some ‘terrifying things’ to know about Joro spiders:
- They are bright yellow, black, blue, and red and can grow up to 3 inches. This creates an intimidating and scary creature.
- They likely traveled across the globe on shipping containers, similar to the Bubonic plague.
- Their life cycle begins in early spring, but they get big in June and are often seen in July and August.
- They’re named for Jorōgumo, a creature of Japanese folklore that can shapeshift into a woman or spider before killing its prey.
What does a Joro Spider look like?
The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavate) is known as orb weavers for its highly organized, wheel-shaped, and golden hue webs. Joro females have been described as radioactive-looking with colorful yellow, blue, and red markings on their bodies. Here is the crazy part: they can measure three inches across when their legs are fully extended.
Their webs are actually three-dimensional and a golden yellow. They are substantial in size. You cannot miss them.
Are Joro Spiders poisonous and dangerous to my pets?
Technically, there are venomous, as are all spiders; however, Joro Spiders have tiny fangs not large or strong enough to puncture human or animal skin. They are NOT aggressive. If someone was bitten, it could compare to a bee sting. The primary issue with Joro Spiders is their webs and their significant size. Given the volume of the spiders, their nests can make for a real mess!
Some scientists say humans have nothing to worry about. They do not harm humans or disturb our local ecologies. Bonus- they eat stinkbugs!!!
Can Joro spiders fly?
A Nephila clavata, a type of orb weaver spider native to Japan where it is called joro-gumo or joro spider, waits in its web for prey.
Yes, they can ‘fly’ utilizing their large webs as parachutes traveling up to 50 to 100 miles through the wind, per the University of Georgia Extension.
Do you see spiders in your home, basement, or garage?
A trained technician from Accurate Pest Control will come to your home, perform an inspection of the house, discuss indoor and outdoor treatments and removal, and suggest options for continued service to prevent new infestations.
- We recommend keeping the lights off outside or using yellow bug lights at night because the lights draw insects to them, and the insects draw the spiders.
- Use sticky traps to eliminate spiders from problem areas.
- Consistent removal of spider webs is the most effective. Vacuum and dust regularly keeping notice for returning or new webs.
- Sealing up cracks around screens, windows, and doors helps keep spiders and other pests from gaining entry.
- Use a dehumidifier, and be sure to ventilate areas and eliminate the moist environment these spiders love to live in.
Contact us for assistance in determining the nature and seriousness of the spider infestation. If you are bitten by a spider and are unsure of the impact on your health, please seek medical attention immediately.
Resources axios.com, abc10.com, silive.com,
