Orb-Weaver Spider Facts & Information

What Orkin Does

Your local Orkin Pro is trained to help manage orb-weaver spiders and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, your Orkin Pro will design a unique spider treatment program for your situation.

Orkin can provide the right solution to keep orb-weaver spiders in their place...out of your home, or business.

What do orb-weaver spiders look like?

The orb-weaver spider group is comprised of a large number of species thus making it difficult to distinguish them from other spider groups and from each other. In fact, the Orb-weaver spider family, Araneidae, is one of the most variable in size and appearance of all spider families. Like all other spiders, orb-weavers have a cephalothorax (a fused-together head and thorax), abdomen, 8 legs and fang-like mouthparts called chelicera. They also have hairy or spiny legs and a relatively large abdomen that overlaps the back edge of the cephalothorax. Abdomens vary between species. Some orb-weaver spiders have spiny, smooth, or irregularly shaped abdomens.

Most nocturnal orb-weavers are usually brown or gray in color. Diurnal species exhibit bright colors of yellow or orange along with black markings. Many orb-weavers are often brightly colored and attract attention as they sit in or near their web waiting for prey to become stuck and shake the strands. However, the most observable appearance of orb-weavers isn't necessarily their appearance, but the appearance of the large webs they create.

Orb-Weaver Webs

In general, orb-weavers construct organized, circular grid webs that are similar in shape to webs depicted in Halloween decorations. More specifically, orb-weaver webs are made of radial strands of silk that look like the spokes of a wheel with the spokes connected by numerous concentric circular silk strands. The web of the garden orb-weaver spider is very large and can measure up to three feet in diameter. When observed in their natural habitats, orb-weavers will usually be seen hanging head down in their web.

Orb-weavers are typically nocturnal spiders and many species will build or do repair work on their webs at night. Some orb-weaver spiders tear down and even consume much of the web's silk as the morning begins to dawn. This interesting habit is performed in order take in moisture from dew that may have settled on the web and to prevent large animals such as birds from getting caught in the web.

Since orb-weavers are not hunters or wanderers, they will sit in their web or perhaps move off their web and wait for prey to get tangled in their web. Should the spider move off the web, it will remain nearby and hidden in a protected site such as some rolled up leaves or on the branch of a plant. However, the spider remains aware of prey that may become trapped in the web by a trap line of silk that will vibrate and alert the spider if something enters the web. If a prey insect is trapped in the web, the trap line vibrates notifying the spider rush to the web, bite and paralyze the prey and wrap it in silk for later consumption. If something non-eatable is trapped, the spider will either just ignore it or remove it from the web and go back to its protected hiding place. Orb-weavers are most often noticed by homeowners in the late summer and fall since the adult spiders have attained their largest size and have constructed the largest number of webs.

What do orb-weavers eat?

Small insects such as flies, moths, beetles, wasps and mosquitoes are examples of insects that make up the spider's diet. Some of the larger orb weavers may also trap and eat small frogs and humming birds should they venture into the web. Orb weavers tend to inhabit locations where there is abundant prey and structures that can support their web. Typical habitats include areas around night-lights, tree branches, tall grass, weeds, fences, walls and bushes.

Orb-Weaver Reproduction

Male orb-weavers are much smaller than females and the male's role in to mate with the female. Since the males are small, it is not uncommon for them to become the female's first meal after mating. Female orb-weavers produce one or more egg sacs and each sac may contain up to several hundred eggs.

Signs of an Orb-Weaver Spider Infestation

Presence of the web is the most obvious sign of an orb-weaver population.

Where do orb-weaver spiders live?

Orb-weavers are found throughout the world, except for the Arctic and Antarctica. In North America, there are approximately 180 species of orb-weaver spiders.

How to Prevent an Orb-Weaver Infestation

Preventing orb-weaver spiders is usually unnecessary unless an orb-weaver builds a web in a location frequented by people, in which case someone could be adversely affected by arachnophobia, the extreme fear of spiders. Some key preventive things a homeowner can do is reduce the population of pests that serve as food for spiders. Limiting the use of outdoor lights at night can help reduce the number of flying insects that gather outside and act as prey for orb-weavers. Changing porch lights to the yellow "bug light" bulbs may also help. It is sometimes necessary to place curtains or shades on windows to reduce the amount of light that shines out to attract flying insects. Homeowners can also seal up holes, cracks and gaps in the house's exterior to prevent entering.

Should you need assistance in control of these or any other spiders, contact an Orkin Pro and request an inspection. Your Orkin Pro can then use their inspection findings to prepare a comprehensive pest management plan that will effectively and efficiently deal with a spider infestation.