Late summer in Bloomfield often brings a surprise to the garden: a big black-and-yellow spider sitting in the middle of a huge round web. That's usually a garden spider. It looks intimidating, and it's natural to wonder whether it's dangerous. The short answer is no, but garden spiders can still cause a few headaches, mostly because of where they build. Below, we'll cover what garden spiders are, the real problems they cause, whether they bite and how to keep their webs away from your doors and walkways. If spiders are moving from your yard into your home, our spider control services can help.
What Garden Spiders Are
"Garden spider" usually means the yellow garden spider, a large orb weaver found across much of North America. A related species, the banded garden spider, is also found in gardens and fields. Here's how to recognize the yellow garden spider:
- Color. A black abdomen with bright yellow markings and a silvery-white front section.
- Legs. Long legs, often black with reddish or yellowish bands near the body.
- Size. Females are large and easy to spot. Males are much smaller and less noticeable.
- Posture. They usually sit head-down in the center of the web.
Their webs are a giveaway. They're large, round and often have a thick zigzag band of silk running up and down through the middle. That band is called a stabilimentum.
Why You See Them In Late Summer
Garden spiders hatch in spring, but they're tiny and easy to miss for months. They grow through summer, and by late summer and early fall the females are full size. That's when their webs get big enough to stretch between plants, fences and railings. They build in sunny, open spots with plenty of flying insects, such as flower beds, vegetable gardens, shrubs and the edges of tall grass. They can also build on porches, decks and window frames.
The Problems Garden Spiders Cause
Garden spiders aren't a health risk, but they can still be a nuisance:
- Webs in the way. A large web strung across a garden path, gate or doorway is unpleasant to walk into.
- Scaring family members. Their size and bright colors can upset kids and guests.
- Webs on the house. Spiders that build near porch lights and windows can leave messy silk on siding and screens.
- Egg sacs. In fall, females lay large brown, papery egg sacs. The spiderlings emerge in spring, so a few spiders this year can mean more next year.
Garden spiders usually die with the first hard frosts of fall. The egg sacs, though, survive the winter.
Do Garden Spiders Bite?
Garden spiders are not aggressive. When disturbed, they usually drop from the web or shake it to look bigger. A bite is possible if someone grabs or handles one, but it's uncommon. For most people, a bite feels like a mild sting. If you're bitten and have a reaction that worries you, see a doctor.
Garden spiders are also helpful. They catch flies, mosquitoes, moths, grasshoppers and other insects that can bother you or damage plants. Many gardeners are happy to leave them alone when their webs aren't in the way.
How To Manage Garden Spiders
If a spider's web is somewhere you don't want it, you have simple options:
- Relocate the web. Gently knock the web down with a broom. The spider will often rebuild somewhere nearby, hopefully out of your path.
- Move it yourself. Wearing gloves, coax the spider into a container and release it in a part of the garden away from doors and walkways.
- Change the lighting. Warmer-toned outdoor bulbs attract fewer insects, which means fewer spiders near doors.
- Trim plants near entries. Cut back shrubs and tall plants that touch doorways, railings and windows.
- Remove egg sacs. In fall and winter, remove sacs from the house, porch and railings and seal them in a bag.
To see how garden spiders compare with other spiders around the yard, read our guide to the jumping spider vs. orb weaver spider.
When To Call A Professional
A garden spider or two in the flower bed is usually something to enjoy, not treat. If spiders are building all over your house, porch and entryways, or moving indoors, it may be time for help. Our NJ DEP-licensed technicians can inspect your property, find what's drawing spiders close to your home, apply targeted treatments using EPA-registered, eco-safe products and seal entry points. Every treatment is backed by our EcoGuard Guarantee, with free inspections and same-day or next-day service.
Garden spiders look dramatic, but the problems they cause are usually small and easy to manage. A little web clearing and some smart lighting choices can keep your Bloomfield yard comfortable for you and your helpful eight-legged neighbors.