How Dangerous Are Orb Weaver Spiders In My Houston Garden?

Whether they are aggressive and outright dangerous or not, most people don’t want to come across spiders. The creepy arachnids are frightening even to people who don’t flee from them in terror, and spiders signal larger pest problems that can be an even bigger headache. That’s why it’s important to learn all you can about common invasive spiders and how their populations form, both inside your property and in the yard.

What Are Orb Weaver Spiders?

Some of the most common local spiders are orb weaver spiders, most often known as yellow orb weavers or yellow garden spiders. They look formidable, especially with their bright yellow patterns that often signal highly venomous spiders in the wild. However, orb weavers do not contain potent enough venom to harm people or our pets, which are much larger than the prey that these garden spiders are adapted to hunt. When we think of an “orb,” we tend to think of three-dimensional spheres, however, orb weavers get their name from the completely circular - but flat - webs they weave. Unlike other spider webs, which tend to resemble a looser lattice of threads, often in a hexagonal or more boxy shape, orb weaver webs are uniquely shaped with every thread seemingly running in a perfectly circular pattern. From there, orb weavers often trace thicker, zig-zagging lines that run from the outside in. It’s these unique shapes and patterns that give the species a bunch of other nicknames, like “zig-zag spider” or “writing spider.” The reason it’s important to be able to spot their unique webbing is that spiders are typically nocturnal, so you’re less likely to spot them directly than you are to spot their webs. If you notice these bizarre and iconic shapes, it’s likely that an orb weaver population is nearby.

Are They Dangerous?

This is probably the bigger question in your mind, and the answer is no, not really. Orb weavers aren’t considered dangerous pests because they lack the potent venom of, say, black widows, which can pose more serious health risks if someone is bitten. That said, orb weavers, like all spiders, can and will bite if they feel threatened. Because they are often found outdoors, people can happen across a web at any moment, and disturbing their nests can result in painful bites that result in itchy welts on the skin. Even non-lethal spiders can be unwelcome, however, as they often signal that other pest populations have grown large enough on your property to attract them. While spiders can be useful in warding off some destructive garden pests that damage plants and roots, a thriving spider population is usually the sign that larger pest problems have gone unnoticed or unchecked. If pests manage to get indoors, spiders will follow suit to hunt their prey.

Where To Find Them

Orb weaver spiders are predominantly a garden pest. While they can occasionally be found indoors, especially if other pests are there to feed on, orb weavers prefer the ample web-weaving capabilities that outdoor environments provide them. Here are some of the common places to find them around your yard:

• Bushes: Orb weavers like to make their nests across bushes or tree limbs, where passing insects will get snared.

• Wood: Many spiders prefer woody areas, so piles or firewood or other yard debris are prime targets for them to hide inside of during the day.

• Porches: The undersides of porches or even roofs can provide spiders with dark, elevated areas to rest during the day.

Contact Modern Pest Control For Help

No matter what kind of spider you might find on your property, you shouldn’t be complacent about addressing them. All spiders are omens of potentially worse pest problems, ones that may not leave obvious signs like webs around to alert you to their presence. That’s why the best course of action for homeowners looking to keep their property safe is to turn to pest experts. At Modern Pest Control, we can inspect your property inside and out for signs of pests, from spiders to the insects that they feed on. Depending on your situation, we can design preventative methods and effective solutions to make sure that existing pests are driven away for good and that future infestations never take hold.

Don’t let creepy, crawly spiders take over your yard, call Modern Pest Control today.