Attack of the Spiders

The Spiders Are Coming! The Spiders Are Coming!

Actually, they’re already here. A few weeks ago, we noticed a giant spider web hanging across our front porch. It wasn’t a surprise. We usually get early Halloween decorations, courtesy of nature, when 3 or 4 giant Orb Spiders build their large webs in the front of our house at the beginning of Fall. Spiders don’t make me squeamish. I don’t love them, but I don’t usually mind them either. Our philosophy has been to Let It Be, so we usually leave the spiders to their webs, where they might catch one or two tasty morsels. We can co-exist, and not have a problem.

This year, however, we have a problem. We noticed the giant spider webs taking shape on the front porch. As we came and went from our house, we noticed more and more. Finally, I stopped and made a deliberate effort to stand on the porch and count the different spider webs that were “decorating” our house. I counted 37. From an appreciation of nature standpoint, I was amazed to see some large spiders, spreading 4 inches across and some tiny spiders who were almost invisible. I saw intricately spun webs which were set at angles, with slight overlaps to other webs. Many spiders sharing space by strategically spinning webs intertwined with one another. It was a complex community of spiders with its own ecosystem.  The spiders, by the way, were brilliantly colored, with yellow and green hues. They stood out.

I used my handy Google Lens phone feature, which lets me take a picture and search the internet to identify what it is. The result of the search? The East Asian Joro Spider. Digging deeper, I discovered that this particular spider is widespread in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Northeast Georgia. Really? Here in Georgia? According to an article from University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Joro Spider, which is a variation of orb-weaving spider, probably arrived in Georgia in a shipping container in 2015. In a few short years, the spider took to the environment and began to thrive. This year, they arrived in my town and took over my porch.

Deciding that enough was enough, I got out the broom and, with widely swinging arms, I swept every last web away. An hour later, there were 4 large, completely intact webs, each with a spider sitting in the bullseye.  It appeared that the turf wars had begun. 

I was reminded of another spider encounter from a few years ago. I was spending a mother-daughter day with one of my girls. We were visiting a large botanical garden, walking through the numerous trails and admiring the flowers and foliage. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. 2,500 acres of nature and beauty. Our visit was winding down, our legs were tired, and we knew that we were getting close to the end of the last trail. As we walked, the pathway dipped down to hug a nice little stream. We walked along the stream and then came upon a tunnel. Oh, look, a tunnel! Entering the cool, dark tunnel, we felt a sense of mystery. Our spidey senses were tingling. As well they should have. Because it didn’t take long to see, there on the wall of the tunnel, the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life. Ridiculously big, black, and shiny. This was no Itsy-Bitsy. This thing, with legs spread out, was a good 7 inches wide and about 10 inches long. You don’t understand—it was enormous. It looked like a Halloween decoration from the party supply store. It was there on the wall, right by the path. We froze.

Immediately, we started weighing our options. Our day was ending—we did not want to turn around and retrace our steps, going back the way we came. It would take us at least an hour, probably longer, to walk back. We backed out of the tunnel, looking for another way to walk around, but there was none. To get back to the parking lot, back to the safety of our car, we had to pass through the tunnel, right by the spider. We took a minute to gather our courage, then veeeerrrryyy slowly and quietly we stepped forward, inching along, eyes locked on the arachnid, pausing if we detected the slightest movement.  For an eternity, we inched slowly down the path, holding our breath, pausing, and stepping forward. Once we cleared the terrifying spot, we took off running through the rest of the tunnel, back to the comfort of sunlight. Of course, I couldn’t leave questions unanswered, so the next day, I corresponded with one of the garden’s horticulturalists to find out about the spider.

Here’s the picture I sent him of the spider. He's as big as a plate! What do you think?

Here's what the expert said:

^{I am 70% to 80% sure it’s a fishing spider – probably of the genus Dolomedes.  Fishing spiders make up a large group of spiders that come in many difference sizes and color patterns; but the group does contain some of the largest species in the Southeast.  Most of them do not actually catch fish, but some of the larger ones do – and that is incredible to watch!  And they are fairly common in the woods, near water, anywhere in Georgia .}

^{And though they look menacing, their toxin is not very dangerous to humans.  Nor are they very aggressive.  If you see another one, don’t be afraid of it but don’t mess with it too much.  Because of their size, if it does bite, just the mechanical damage from its fangs can be pretty painful.}

^{I’m really glad you chose to explore the wildflower trail!  I hope you enjoyed it, other than the monstrous arachnid waiting for weary pedestrians in the tunnel…}

One last spider story. Years ago, my son was apparently bit by a spider at home. We never saw the spider. The spot, while irritated, did not attract attention, until one day, suddenly, it did. It had swollen and grown distorted, which prompted a visit to the doctor’s office. I was completely shocked as I watched the doctor lacerate the bubble, and squeeze out an extraordinary amount of ooey gooey infection. It just kept coming, oozing and oozing. I have never seen anything like it. But, once treated, the site quickly healed, no harm done. Then again, a relative was once bit by a Black Widow spider and emergency medical attention was required. That one was a little scary. Gotta watch those spider bites. Geez to the Louise.

I’m not a scaredy cat when it comes to spiders. But, I do have a healthy respect for them. Bugs live outside, and that’s fine.  I’m ok with letting them go about their business, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my walk or overtake my porch or bite my loved ones. Once our ambitions clash, I want those 8-leggers to move on, go somewhere else.  There is plenty of room out there for them to find a home away from me.  Isn’t it interesting that a spider can do just that--build its home wherever it wants to. The original nomad.

As for my porch, I think I'll be battling the residents all season. It won't be easy, but I'll try to hold my ground and encourage them to find a new place to set up camp.

Y’all be careful out there! They are watching…..