Spiders the size of a human hand that are known to use their webs to parachute through the sky are enough to scare just about anyone. Add in the fact that they’re invasive, venomous and expected to inhabit most of the East Coast this year and you’ve got the stuff of nightmares.
But before you freak out, you should know they’re relatively harmless. Dubbed Joro spiders, these black and yellow arachnids are native to East Asia and likely arrived in the U.S. back in 2013 on a shipping container. They’ve since spread across Maryland, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, according to iNaturalist. And they’re expected to make more East Coast states their home in the future.
Adding to nightmares, Joro spiders’ bodies can grow up to 1 inch in length and have legs that can span up to 4 inches. Although they can’t technically fly, they employ a process called “ballooning” that can get them parachuting for miles in the air. The process involves releasing silk threads that, depending on the length, can have them riding the wind for 100 miles or more.
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As intimidating as they sound, however, they won’t bite you unless they feel threatened. And even if they try to, their fangs are too small to break human flesh. Their venom also isn’t dangerous to people or their pets, according to a University of Georgia study. That same study suggests that Joro spiders “may be the shyest spider ever documented.”
They primarily eat mosquitoes and other small insects that humans normally find a nuisance. It’s simple, just leave them alone and they won’t show any interest in bothering you. Though if you come face to face with one of these creepy crawlers we know that’s easier said than done.
Joro spiders in Florida
As Floridians, should we be worried? The simple answer is probably, but try not to worry about them yet.
There are currently no confirmed sightings of Joro spiders in our state, according to Joro Watch. But researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina indicate that the spider is expected to inhabit most of the eastern U.S., which has some fearing Florida could be the next state they’ll crawl their way around.
“(The data from our study shows) that this spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern U.S.,” Clemson scientist David Coyle said. “It shows that their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America.”
There are more than 500 invasive species in Florida, so we’ve already got plenty to worry about. But in case you happen to spot any Joro spiders, Coyle said that while pesticides can kill them, they’ll also kill just about everything else. If you find one on your house, your best bet is to use a stick or broom to remove them.