We Have 15-20 Black And Yellow Garden Spiders In Our…
Elizabeth Asked
We have 15-20 black and yellow garden spiders in our landscape at the front of the house. This seems like a large number in one area and they are getting quite large. I don’t want to kill them, but they are beginning to freak me out a bit. Plus, I can’t get into the landscaping to weed. Any advice?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Elizabeth: A lot of us are freaked out by spiders, especially in large numbers! No need to fret over these harmless garden arachnids. Argiope aurantia is the scientific name for these yellow and black garden spiders. They are also commonly known as writing spiders or golden orb weavers. The good news is that despite their bright colors these spiders are not harmful to humans. In fact, they are quite beneficial in that they trap many not-so-favorable insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, and flies. The females are larger than the males, reaching an inch and a half at maturity. They will not bother you while you are weeding unless you disturb a web where the female has laid her eggs. This happens during the late summer so this may be a concern this time of the year. They are not poisonous but they can bite. One option would be to carefully move them to another space in the garden. They prefer a sunny location out of the direct wind. Otherwise, let them be and cover yourself with long sleeves and pants while you are weeding that area.
