Orb-Weaver Spiders
Chances are, you have observed a spiral wheel-shaped web hanging over or in your garden with a large, perhaps rather brightly colored spider perched in the middle, which was most likely an Orb-weaver spider.
Orb-weaver spiders are common to the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska and can usually be found in gardens, fields, and forests hanging from their webs on tree branches, bushes, and tall grasses; however, they can also be found around exterior light fixtures as well as other structures that will hold their web.
Orb-weaver spiders are common to the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska and can usually be found in gardens, fields, and forests hanging from their webs on tree branches, bushes, and tall grasses; however, they can also be found around exterior light fixtures as well as other structures that will hold their web.
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What Are Orb-Weaver Spiders?
Orb-weaver spiders are a member of the third largest group of spiders called Araneidae, which includes over 3,000 species of spiders.
These spiders are marked by their pronounced round-shaped bodies, which is where they got the name orb, which means circular in English. They also have eight eyes and spiny legs, which sometimes contain hair, like other spiders. They are also most notable for their sticky, spiral-shaped webs that can often be observed hanging from various structures around your home or property. Adult Orb-weavers often emerge during the summer or fall. They are also nocturnal insects; therefore, they are most active during the night, where they can be often be seen sitting in the center of the web or busy restoring their web, which they remove each morning and then rebuild again each night. |
However, during the day, the spiders can usually be seen sitting still on the web, or they may be off the web, hiding somewhere nearby with a trap line waiting for an insect to become trapped in the web. The spider will then surround the insect in a silk-like wrap to immobilize it and then eat it later using a process of regurgitation to help break it down.
Female Orb-weavers are the spiders most often observed on the web, as she sits waiting for a male orb-weaver spider to reproduce, after which time, the male spider will die.
Soon after, the female will lay a sac, which can contain up to a few hundred eggs, and then she will die sometime during the first frost with the new spider-lings emerging in the spring.
Female Orb-weavers are the spiders most often observed on the web, as she sits waiting for a male orb-weaver spider to reproduce, after which time, the male spider will die.
Soon after, the female will lay a sac, which can contain up to a few hundred eggs, and then she will die sometime during the first frost with the new spider-lings emerging in the spring.
Are Orb-Weaver Spiders Dangerous?
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This species of spiders are not known to be aggressive; therefore, they will often scurry or drop from their webs when they sense danger. However, if the spider is picked up, it may bite, which feels comparable to a bee sting.
Otherwise, they are more intimidating than anything with their large spiral webs and rather large bodies, especially for those with an apprehension of spiders. |
Orb-Weaver spider hiding under leaves.
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Treating Orb-Weaver Spiders
Since orb-weaver spiders feed on many insects around your home, the best way to prevent these spiders is to eliminate harborage areas around your home, including litter, leaf piles, and standing water, that help breed insects. You should also seal any openings around your property to prevent insects from coming inside.
A pest control specialist can also inspect around your property for signs of Orb-weaver spiders and then clear any webs and apply an insecticide to help prevent the spiders from returning.
A pest control specialist can also inspect around your property for signs of Orb-weaver spiders and then clear any webs and apply an insecticide to help prevent the spiders from returning.
