Joro Spiders vs. Banana Spiders in Florida

Posted by Mosquito Squad Plus

July 13, 2026

Joro Spiders vs. Banana Spiders in Florida

Did you just see a giant spider in your Northeast Florida yard? How do you know a Joro spider from a banana spider?

There are just some things we’ve resigned ourselves to seeing in our Northeast Florida backyards. Lizards? Yup. Mosquitoes? Yes, unfortunately. Spiders large enough to make us put our house on the market? Well, that might require a closer look!

A couple of years ago, Florida residents were abuzz with news about Joro spiders. Any sighting of a giant spider hanging between two trees in an enormous web is enough to send us to the internet or our local pest control service provider to get more information.

Before you assume the spider you see is the invasive Joro spider, let’s talk about another large (and local) web builder – the banana spider.

Are Joro Spiders in Florida?

Yes, Joro spiders have been officially reported in Florida. Back in 2014, the Joro spider was identified in Georgia, which is important due to their East Asia origin. It is believed that they could have arrived in the United States as early as 2010.

As of June 2026, the range of the Joro spider includes: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio.

Sightings of the Joro spider are reported as far north as Baltimore.

Is This a Joro Spider or a Florida Banana Spider?

Here in Northeast Florida, the name banana spider is commonly given to the golden silk orb-weaver, which can grow impressively large. The female golden silk orb-weaver has long legs with yellow-orange coloring and elongated abdomens with silvery markings. Their large silken webs appear golden in the sunlight.

Joro spiders too, are orb-weaving spiders that create golden-hued webs, which can grow up to four inches in length. Their webs can extend to ten feet across. The adult female Joro spider is brightly colored with contrasting yellow and dark markings – blue-green bands across the abdomen and visible red coloring on the underside.

These two spiders understandably elicit confusion.

A quick reference for telling them apart would be their different markings. Think spots for golden silk orb-weavers and stripes (or bands) for the Joro spider.

Are Joro Spiders Dangerous?

Despite their large size and the name spider, Joro spiders are not known to be aggressive toward humans. Conversely, research shows them to be a shy spider species. Like other spiders, Joro spiders prey on insects that get caught in their webs.

Even so, the fact that they are not dangerous means very little to some Northeast Florida homeowners, who are either averse to spiders as a whole, or prefer not to experience giant spider webs across their patios and backyards.

If you’re experiencing an influx of spiders in your Northeast Florida yard, it could signal additional pest concerns. The spiders and webs you’re seeing are there, because the spiders have determined your property has enough food, water, and shelter to sustain themselves and future generations.

Mosquito Squad Plus offers Northeast Florida pest control to help allay outdoor pest activity and help prevent pests from getting indoors.

Where Do We Offer Outdoor Pest Control Services?

Be more comfortable and have more time enjoying your backyard with fewer pests and less worry about the potential for infestations with a Florida pest control package by Mosquito Squad Plus.

We’re pleased to offer year-round outdoor pest control service in these areas and beyond:

Search for outdoor pest control near me and choose Mosquito Squad Plus.

Mosquito Squad Plus of Northeast Florida is a trusted tick control and mosquito control company, serving Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and surrounding areas.

At Mosquito Squad Plus of Northeast Florida, our goal is your complete satisfaction! That’s why we offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Put our outdoor pest control to work for all your needs. Call Mosquito Squad Plus of Northeast Florida at (904) 844-0816 to learn more about our formulas and outdoor pest control plans.