If you have been on edge dodging spider webs around your home, you are not the only one. The Upstate is reporting increased sightings of the Joro spider, an invasive species native to East Asia.Female Joro spiders can be identified by unique yellow markings, including yellow and black striped legs, large, speckled bodies, and pink markings on the underbelly. The males are small brown spiders, and typically several of them will surround the female in the web.Joro spider webs can be distinguished by their strong strands and golden color, something native species lack in their webs.A common misconception is that Joro spiders can fly. This is called ballooning, which Coyle said is when eggs hatch, and a group of the babies crawl up something tall, release a strand of silk, and the wind carries them away. This is a way the spiders make long-distance dispersal.Greenville resident Nekitah Hunt said she walks out in the mornings “swinging” to avoid coming into contact with the creepy crawlers.”Coming out the house and kicking,” Hunt said. “Once I came in, and it was like, right there in my face, and I didn’t realize it. I don’t know where they’re coming from and why they’re invading us like this, but I just want them gone.”Dr. David Coyle with Clemson University said this is around the time after mating season, where spiders are maturing, the things they eat are thriving, and there are accommodating weather patterns in the Southeast, which is why you might see more around town. This goes for any type of spider. Coyle said the Joro spider was brought into the Southeast as an invasive species roughly 15 years ago. Joro spiders eat smaller pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches, but can also be a threat to pollinators or other animals, which can get stuck in their web.Over the course of several years and multiple studies, experts have determined the presence of Joro spiders is diminishing native spider populations. “We’re seeing loss of the native orb weavers, the big ones that make those big webs, your garden spiders,” Coyle said. “It’s not a direct agriculture pest. It’s not a direct forestry pest; it’s not a water pest. But what we do know is based on several years of surveys now you have native spider populations… and the populations of native orb weavers just falling off.”Joro spiders are not harmful to humans and pets but are venomous to other animals. They gravitate toward houses, garages, carports, and landscape plants.The big question is, what do you do about them? Many said the spiders are resilient and often will come back if you try to knock their webs down.Coyle left the decision up to the homeowner. “If there’s a spider on your property and it’s not bothering you in the way, it’s probably just easiest to let it be. Physical removal works. Joro spiders are soft-bodied critters that can be eliminated in any way. You would eliminate some other little bug in your home,” Coyle said.If someone does decide to exterminate them, Coyle urges them to use insect and spider control products or pesticides. If you see one and would like to report it, you can do so online here.There is also a map to show how many Joro spiders are being tracked in your area here.

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —

If you have been on edge dodging spider webs around your home, you are not the only one. The Upstate is reporting increased sightings of the Joro spider, an invasive species native to East Asia.

Female Joro spiders can be identified by unique yellow markings, including yellow and black striped legs, large, speckled bodies, and pink markings on the underbelly. The males are small brown spiders, and typically several of them will surround the female in the web.

Joro spider webs can be distinguished by their strong strands and golden color, something native species lack in their webs.

A common misconception is that Joro spiders can fly. This is called ballooning, which Coyle said is when eggs hatch, and a group of the babies crawl up something tall, release a strand of silk, and the wind carries them away. This is a way the spiders make long-distance dispersal.

Greenville resident Nekitah Hunt said she walks out in the mornings “swinging” to avoid coming into contact with the creepy crawlers.

“Coming out the house and kicking,” Hunt said. “Once I came in, and it was like, right there in my face, and I didn’t realize it. I don’t know where they’re coming from and why they’re invading us like this, but I just want them gone.”

Dr. David Coyle with Clemson University said this is around the time after mating season, where spiders are maturing, the things they eat are thriving, and there are accommodating weather patterns in the Southeast, which is why you might see more around town. This goes for any type of spider.

Coyle said the Joro spider was brought into the Southeast as an invasive species roughly 15 years ago.

Joro spiders eat smaller pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches, but can also be a threat to pollinators or other animals, which can get stuck in their web.

Over the course of several years and multiple studies, experts have determined the presence of Joro spiders is diminishing native spider populations.

“We’re seeing loss of the native orb weavers, the big ones that make those big webs, your garden spiders,” Coyle said. “It’s not a direct agriculture pest. It’s not a direct forestry pest; it’s not a water pest. But what we do know is based on several years of surveys now you have native spider populations… and the populations of native orb weavers just falling off.”

Joro spiders are not harmful to humans and pets but are venomous to other animals. They gravitate toward houses, garages, carports, and landscape plants.

The big question is, what do you do about them? Many said the spiders are resilient and often will come back if you try to knock their webs down.

Coyle left the decision up to the homeowner.

“If there’s a spider on your property and it’s not bothering you in the way, it’s probably just easiest to let it be. Physical removal works. Joro spiders are soft-bodied critters that can be eliminated in any way. You would eliminate some other little bug in your home,” Coyle said.

If someone does decide to exterminate them, Coyle urges them to use insect and spider control products or pesticides.

If you see one and would like to report it, you can do so online here.

There is also a map to show how many Joro spiders are being tracked in your area here.