Orb Weaver Spiders

General Description
For many of us an orb weaver spider comes to mind when we think of spiders. The orb weavers are usually large, colorful spiders that spin the classic spider web with silken spokes held together by concentric rings of silk. These are the spiders of imagination, Halloween and haunted houses. Yet they are almost always found outdoors. The large webs of many orb weavers are often found in tall vegetation or attached to porches, barns and other structures. The spider sits in the middle of its web or hides nearby, waiting for the web to vibrate, signaling the entanglement of an insect which it will quickly wrap in silk. Large egg sacs are produced in the fall.

This group includes the garden spiders (Argiope spp.), with strikingly colored black with yellow or orange markings, and their bodies can be an inch long. Their webs may span 2 feet or more in diameter. Also included are the spiny-backed spiders (Micrathena spp., Gasteracantha spp.) found in the forest and garden. They are often brightly colored and have spike-like projections on their abdomens. Bites from orb weaver spiders are uncommon and similar to a bee sting.

General Control
Controlling orb weaver spiders involves inspecting structures and yards for the presence of the spiders and their webs. Orb weavers can be dispatched by vacuuming and smashing, as the spiders are not aggressive and cannot run away fast.