In 1983, a Joro spider was found in Hochston, Georgia. This large spider is native to China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. This marked the first time the spider had been seen in the United States. Since then the spider has turned up in at least six other states (Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland and Oklahoma).
According to University of Georgia biologists, that here in Georgia the Joro spider has rapidly spread mainly across northern portion of the state. Now it is beginning to appear elsewhere. As its population has steadily increased, so have the number of reports that the spiders are causing problems for both humans and wildlife.
Detail photos of Joro spider.
While many experts are urging people not to kill this new invader due to the fact there is no evidence it is damaging invertebrates. However, many homeowners have lost their patience with the spiders and their huge webs. Here is a post from one of our fellow bloggers.
On October 5, 2023, Tom posted, Last year they appeared in numbers I noticed. This year I go around the house twice a day to kill them. Every day they have just built higher. The normal population of spiders is gone. I live in the middle of a forest but have a large open yard. I have not seen one pollinator this year. We have no butterflies when normally we have dozens. I saw a hummingbird tangled in a web. They are the only spider/insect I see.
If Joro spiders have shown up in your yard, I would be interested in knowing about your experiences with them.
In addition, if you would like to view the previous posts dealing with Joro spiders on the blog, type joro spider in the Search Bubble on the right side of the first page of the blog and press the enter button.
In addition, if you want to report a Joro spider, go to jorowatch.org. This site also features a map that illustrates the counties where the spider has been documented in the Peach State.
I live near Stone Mountain an we’re dealing with them for the 3rd year. If there were 2 or 3 I would leave them alone, but my 3/4 acre yard typically will have at least 2 dozen. They are prolific, and the webs are large and very strong. I hit them with a small shot of hornet & wasp jet spray, which seems to kill them quickly. Then I find a big stick to swirl around and gather up the large 3-dimensional webs they make.
Thank you so much for your comments. It is beginning to appear that they pose a bigger problem than many realize.
I kill every Joro web I can reach with spray. The webs are so dense that all flying insects get caught and cut down food for my birds. I started every week in August, more keep moving in to my 1 acre suburban home. I got three more yesterday. No predators so I don’t understand the laizefaire attitude. My neighbor’s yards are loaded with them in Cobb county ga
Kat,
It appears that the spider is have a more deleterious impact on folks and wildlife than many folks realize. Thanks for your comments.
I live in Gwinnett County, GA, in a heavily wooded area. We have had and are still having a LOT of Joros. Every time I go outside I carry my spider stick to get rid of what I can reach. As the other lady stated, they are building their webs higher and higher, and many times there are more than one spider in the web, usually a large one and several smaller ones. of varying sizes. In the summer we have hummingbirds that visit our feeders, and I fear one of those will get caught in a Joro web. The Joro webs are VERY strong.
Wow! There spiders are really a nuisance around your home. It appears that, as they continue to spread, more and more folks are going to realize they are indeed a pest. Thanks for taking the time to tell your story.