There is a huge spider that moved into a corner of my yard. I can't tell if he is poisonous. He/she is about the size of the palm of my hand, mostly black with a design in the middle. I'm too scared to mow! I don't know if I can get close enough to spray him with anything....
2007-07-19 12:56:11 · 11 answers · asked by la_madrugadora 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
My guess it that it is an Orb Weaver. If your spider has spun a web with a zigzag looking stitch down the center then that is what you have. Orb Weavers are common garden spiders that come in a large variety of shapes and colors, but they all have the web in common. These spiders are harmless and eat other insects I'm sure you would much rather not have around. Also, if you live in the US then you really needn't fear poisonous spiders. The only two poisonous spiders we have are the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse (fiddle back).
The reason I say you needn't fear them is because these spiders are very shy and rarely seen in the open. You'd have to turn over rock or old wood that's been sitting a while to find one. Bites from these two are very rare. If you can't get over your phobia then find someone who is not fearful to capture it and move it to a less threatening location like a wooded area or something.
Here is a pic of one of many orb weavers:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dorb%2Bweavers%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dyfp-t-471%26b%3D41&w=338&h=500&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F140%2F320841012_e6cad2f9bc_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Famebaone%2F320841012%2F&size=111.4kB&name=320841012_e6cad2f9bc.jpg&p=orb+weavers&type=jpeg&no=54&tt=1,376&oid=18b1ef84029ac836&fusr=amebaone&tit=Ornament&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Famebaone%2F&ei=UTF-8&src=p
2007-07-19 15:19:22 · answer #1 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends in country you live in. In the US large spiders are usually not poisonous. Tiny black widows and the brown recluse are. Look up a spider website or get a book on spiders and try to identify it. Ask a local biologists from a local school. They may catch it and make it their pet. If it is nonpoisonous, please do not kill it. You are not food for the spider. You are just a scary monster that pushes an even more scary monster around the yard eating grass and trying to kill the poor little spider.
2007-07-19 20:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by John A 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Listen to 'bugsie' and 'renpen', garden spiders are fantastic, rate right up there with Praying Mantis and bats! Think how huge and terrifying you look to her! Try to have a friend who's not afraid of spiders come over for moral support some evening to knock back a couple of double shots and watch her build her beautiful web with the zigzag design meant to alert birds. If she still creeps you out, have your friend box her up and take her home. God and I will be happy. RScott
2007-07-19 21:27:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spiders don't usually jump up on you or anything. Just spray it- there's a 99% chance he won't jump on you.
Oh, and the other reason I'm here-
You just answered my question about the Yorkie, and brought up potty training. You don't allow email on IM, so this is the only want I can ask you:
Why do you ask? Is 10 months too late for pottytraining? One of the employees says that he's gotten PARTIAL potty training; I don't really trust what he means by "partial"...
2007-07-19 21:14:59 · answer #4 · answered by Creative Name 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you decide you cannot abide the spider, take a long stick and start at the edges and gently, but firmly, remove the web.... the spider will move to another area.... when you see that web, remove it, too... keep it up... she'll eventually tire of your yard and move next door....
this is an orb spider and the zigzag in the web shows in this picture...
http://www.bigeastern.com/eotp/ep_argio.htm
you should try to understand the spider and not fear it... if we kill everything we fear and dont' understand, there's going to be some real problems with Nature.....
2007-07-20 09:38:33 · answer #5 · answered by meanolmaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a garden spider. Dark with a yellow/red design? Leave it along. It is worth its weight in insects. If you go out and watch her for a while you may get to like her or at least respect her abilities.
2007-07-19 20:37:54 · answer #6 · answered by renpen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a garden spider. They scare the crap out of me and whenever I find one I spray it with Raid and make sure it is dead. I know you are supposed to leave them there because they eat insects but I can't enjoy my garden when I know there is a humongous spider lurking around.
2007-07-19 21:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by cc123 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
PLEASE do not spray HER!!!
Please , she is a garden spider and is getting rid of MANY of the harmful insects in your yard.
Her babies will continue to protect you and your garden for a long time.
I know spiders are not pretty, but this spider is not poisonous.
Think of Charlotte's web! and Nature instead of pesticides!
Thanks, Bugsie
2007-07-19 20:04:42 · answer #8 · answered by bugsie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u should really call pest control asap..dont take any chances..you want to get it checked out soon...it may just be poisonous..and u dont wanna risk it layin any eggs or anything like that! i cant believe its the size of ur palm ..thats pretty big! seek help ASAP!!!!!!!
2007-07-19 20:02:00 · answer #9 · answered by carmenclassof06 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get a box. Trap it. keep it as a pet.
or
trap it and release it in your crazy neighbors yard
2007-07-19 20:04:51 · answer #10 · answered by chris 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋