Joro Spiders

If you’re new to Georgia, or even if you’ve lived here for years, you might be surprised to see bright, colorful spiders hanging in large webs around your yard. Meet the Joro spider. First discovered in Georgia in 2014, these invasive arachnids are still relatively new to the U.S., so many homeowners don’t know much about them. Bizzy Bee Exterminators is here to break it down for you: what they look like, where they live, whether they’re dangerous, and how to keep them away from your home.

Joro spiders are an invasive species that originated in East Asia and were first identified in Georgia. Since then, they’ve been spreading across the Southeast. Female Joro spiders are much larger and more colorful than males, and their young can travel by “ballooning”—releasing silk threads that catch the wind and carry them to new spots.

Joro Spider Identification

Size & Appearance

• Female Joro spiders can reach about an inch in body length and up to four inches across with their legs
• Male Joro spiders are much smaller, with bodies only about ¼ inch long
• Females have vibrant blue-gray bodies with yellow and red markings, while males are more muted brown
• Both sexes have oval-shaped bodies, eight legs, and eight eyes

Behavior & Habits

• Build large, wheel-shaped webs outdoors
• Prefer wooded edges, porches, and areas around homes
• Rarely move indoors
• Feed on insects and are primarily active during the day
• Avoid human contact whenever possible

Signs of Activity

• Spotting Joro spiders
• Seeing their large, structured webs around your yard or near your home
• Watching young spiders floating through the air on silk threads

Why Joro Spiders Are a Problem

For the most part, Joro spiders aren’t considered dangerous. They can bite, but it’s very rare, and the bite feels more like a bee sting than anything serious. The bigger “problem” with Joro spiders is how noticeable they are: their large webs and bright colors make them hard to ignore, and some homeowners don’t want them hanging around outside. Luckily, they rarely infest homes.

Common Hiding and Web-Building Spots for Joro Spiders

Joro spiders typically live outdoors near the edges of the woods. They may also be found around the exterior of houses or other structures. They rarely come indoors.

How to Prevent Joro Spiders 

Although Joro spiders are unlikely to move into your house, you may want to take precautions if you start finding them in large numbers around your property. Try these prevention tips:

• Store firewood away from your house
• Maintain your lawn
• Remove lawn debris, including leaves, branches, and other items
• Trim back branches and shrubs that touch the sides of your home
• Remove webs when you find them
• Seal entry points into your house

How to Eliminate Joro Spiders

If you find a lot of Joro spider activity around your Metro Atlanta property, contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators. We offer effective pest control to reduce spider populations outside and protect your home from spiders and other pests.

FAQs About Joro Spiders

Are Joro spiders dangerous?

Joro spiders are not dangerous. Although they can bite, they rarely do. If you get bitten, it may hurt, but it won’t cause any additional problems. Joro spiders don’t typically move into homes and are not known to be destructive to property.

Should Joro spiders be killed?

Not necessarily. They aren’t dangerous and can actually help reduce pest insects. But if you see them in large numbers or inside your home, you may want professional help.

How did Joro spiders get their name?

Joro spiders are native to East Asia. Their name comes from the jorōgumo, a creature in Japanese folklore.

Contact Our Local Pros for Spider Control

Because Joro spiders are still new to Georgia, it’s understandable to feel uneasy when you see them around your home. Bizzy Bee Exterminators is here to answer your questions and provide expert pest control to reduce spider activity on your property. Contact us today to learn more.