• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Giant venomous flying spiders with 4-inch legs are spreading across the East Coast

Home> News> US News

Updated 16:30 5 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 10:20 5 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Giant venomous flying spiders with 4-inch legs are spreading across the East Coast

Experts have warned that the likes of New York and New Jersey will see an influx of Joro spiders

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

For those of you who have arachnophobia and live on the East Coast, you might want to brace yourself.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news folks, but huge spiders are reportedly making a home for themselves in parts of America - with New York and New Jersey expected to see an influx of the eight-legged insects.

Called the Joro spider, these arachnids' legs can grow to be as big as four-inches long and, making things arguably worse, they can fly too.

They're also venomous, but (fortunately) a Joro spider's venom isn't thought to be dangerous to humans or pets.

Advert

If their size and flying capabilities wasn't enough to identify these arachnids, Joro spiders also boast vibrant yellow and grey bodies.

They were originally found in countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, but are reported to have since travelled to parts of northern Georgia in 2010. The first Joro spider in the area wasn't spotted until around 2014, however.

Joro spiders have made their way to the US in recent years. (YouTube/FNRClemson)
Joro spiders have made their way to the US in recent years. (YouTube/FNRClemson)

While they've been inhabiting parts of the East Coast for some time, Joro spiders are said to be spreading.

Advert

In a study published last year, David Coyle, a scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University, said Joro spiders are 'here to stay' in the US.

"This spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern US," he went on. "Their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America."

In regards to the large spiders arriving in New York specifically, José R. Ramírez-Garofalo, an ecologist at Rutgers University's Lockwood Lab and the president of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods on Staten Island, said that 'it is a matter of when, not if' they make their way over to the city.

Joro spiders are expected to spread to New York. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
Joro spiders are expected to spread to New York. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Advert

While the spiders won't do you any harm, many won't necessarily want one of them making themselves comfortable in their home.

In a bid to control Joro spiders, Coyle said: "Pesticides work, but, also, they are probably overkill because it will kill everything else, and there is a cost involved; it’s just as easily to physically move them if they are on your house. They seem to love structures. So, I just tell people to take a stick or broom and remove them."

Meanwhile, Lookout Pest Control advises that you keep a tidy home, don't leave food out, vacuum up spider webs and seal up any cracks or points of entry into your home in a bid to prevent Joro spiders getting in.

Featured Image Credit: CBS

Topics: Environment, Nature, New York, News, US News, Animals

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • New 'giant' spider has been discovered in Australia
  • Tourist leaves people terrified after revealing spider house is the ‘worst thing she’s ever seen’ in Bali
  • Mystery behind giant sea spiders finally uncovered by scientists after 140 years
  • Man intentionally gets bitten by black widow spiders to 'debunk myths' and the results are shocking

Choose your content:

a minute ago
2 hours ago
12 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • a minute ago

    Everything we know as 7-Eleven employee dies after being left brain-dead by manager 'sitting on her'

    A GoFundMe has been set up for Jessica McLaughlin following her death

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom finally address break-up rumors with joint statement

    Reports of their break-up had been circulating online

    Celebrity
  • 12 hours ago

    'Ozempic economy' explained as research suggests drug could save US taxpayers $173,000,000,000 a year

    The diabetes drug could help to reform the US economy

    News
  • 14 hours ago

    Legendary actor Michael Madsen has died aged 67

    Madsen was best known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill

    Film & TV