These giant spiders are invading Georgia. Have you seen them?
Trigger warning: We are talking about spiders ahead.
Now that you’ve been warned, these huge, yellow, blue-black and red Joro spiders are all over Georgia, spinning webs up to 10 feet wide.
According to the University of Georgia (UGA), the Joro spider has actually been around since 2013. But, the state has recently seen an overabundance of the colorful arachnids.
Sure, their webs are spun on mailboxes, across porches and power lines — and yes, they are creepy to many of us, but having them around actually helps get rid of mosquitoes, stink bugs and certain biting flies.
And if you do get too close, don’t worry, their bite and venom will not hurt you.
“The venom poses no threat to humans, cats or dogs, unless they are allergic to it,” said Ben Turner at Live Science.
Since their bite isn’t anything to worry about, UGA undergraduate researcher Benjamin Frick said, there’s no reason to mess with the spiders or hurt them.
“There’s really no reason to go around actively squishing them,” Frick said. “Humans are at the root of their invasion. Don’t blame the Joro spider.”
Frick even noted the cruelty he’s seen with humans who hate the spiders.
“You have people with saltwater guns shooting them out of the trees and things like that, and that’s really just unnecessary.”
At the end of the day, humans might as well prepare for the spread of Joro spiders — or at the least, learn to live with these giant spiders (3” in length with legs), as they are here to stay for years to come.
This story was originally published August 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
