Banana spiders in the garden: What to know and when to worry

Banana spiders can be found in gardens and homes, and many people are not sure whether they should leave them or get rid of them. Although they can seem intimidating with their size and appearance, these spiders are not dangerous. Yet there is a widely shared fear that these spiders may be dangerous, whether because of their size or from misconceptions about such a spider’s venom.

The banana spider is beneficial to the garden. They are useful in controlling insect pests, as they feed on mosquitoes, flies and other insects. Their webs have the added bonus of keeping pesky bugs off plants. Understanding more about banana spider facts can make gardeners appreciate how beneficial they are and invite them into the garden.

Banana Spider Species

The name "banana spider" is often used to describe any of a number of species of spiders found in gardens and houses. Despite the name, not all of these spiders are related to each other. The name probably derived from the spiders' appearance, particularly their size and colour, reminiscent of a banana. Here's a list of some of the most popular species known as "banana spiders":

1. Golden Silk Orb-Weaver: This is the infamous banana spider. It is also fairly large, with females reaching body lengths of 2-3 inches. They are recognized by the golden coloured web, which can be large and is commonly found in gardens.
2. Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider: Also called the yellow garden spider, this is another species often referred to as the banana spider. It has black and yellow stripes on the abdomen. These are the type of spiders people might see in the garden spinning a large, orb web.
3. Brazilian Wandering Spider: This is less well known, and it's sometimes considered part of the "banana spider" category. It is more commonly found in South and Central America, and it is known as the “wandering spider” because it doesn’t burrow or spin webs; instead it roams to find food.

How to Identify Banana Spiders in Your Garden

Banana spider identification in the garden is also essential to know for what they do and when people should intervene. Here are some important tips for identifying these spiders:

• Size: Banana spiders are of different sizes. The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Nephila clavipes) can grow up to 3” in body length, with females being larger than males. The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) is similar in size, but its habit of aggression makes it stand out even more. 
• Color Patterns: Most banana spiders have yellow or golden colored markings, such as on their abdomens, which allows the spiders to camouflage with flowers and foliage. The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver usually exhibits a yellow-and-black pattern, and the Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) features black and yellow stripes on the body.
• Web Structure: The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver is famous for its golden orb-shaped webs. These webs can be found in gardens or wherever the prevalence of flying insects is high. The garden spider, which is black and yellow, makes almost the same wheel-shaped web with an even wilder pattern. The Brazilian Wandering Spider, on the other hand, does not construct webs and hunts for prey on the ground.

Harmless Species vs Risky Species

• Harmless Species: Golden Silk Orb-Weaver and Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider are not dangerous to humans. Despite how fierce they may appear, their venom is harmless. They are typically non-aggressive and only attack when provoked.
• Risky Species: The Brazilian Wandering Spider is possibly harmful. It has very strong venom and is credited with being aggressive. This breed is also more prone to biting when threatened or cornered. Yet it’s not as common in gardens and people will find it in tropical parts of South America and Central America.

Are Banana Spiders Dangerous?

Though the sight of a banana spider might be scary, most species are not a dangerous threat to humans. But there are some exceptions, and there is an important distinction to be made.

Venom Potency and Effects on Humans

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver & Black-and-Yellow Garden Spiders are venomous but are not harmful to humans. Their venom was developed to take out little light insects, not large mammals. In the event of being bitten, a human would only experience mild symptoms and many would experience no symptoms. The venom of these spiders is not potent enough to harm humans in good health.

The Brazilian Wandering Spider has dangerous venom which can create great symptoms in humans. The venom contains neurotoxins that can act on the nervous system. The bite of this spider is sometimes painful, and reaction may include swelling and muscle paralysis in rare cases. Though deaths are uncommon, people will require care to help the symptoms.

Common Reactions to Bites

Redness around the bite area is experienced by most. There may be a little stinging or throbbing following a bite, but it doesn’t usually last for long. The site of the bite may swell, as with other insect bites, but it’s not usually serious.

Bites from relatively innocuous banana spiders like the Golden Silk Orb-Weaver or Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider large yellow, generally don’t produce serious reactions. The redness or swelling typically goes away in a few hours to a day.

Rare but Serious Cases

It's that Brazilian Wandering Spider people need to watch out for, which can produce more serious reactions. A bite can result in paralysis, difficulty breathing and death in rare cases if it goes untreated. But bites from this species are rare, especially if people are not in South or Central America where it is found naturally.

When to Worry About a Banana Spider

While not generally harmful, banana spiders can be alarming when people come across them in yards or houses.

1. When Someone Encounters One in the Garden or Home

Banana spiders do not normally pose a threat to humans, though they can wander into gardens or homes. Another thing people might need to be careful of is seeing them in high-traffic places or around doorways where they might accidentally brush up against one. They are not particularly aggressive, but they can bite in self defense if harassed. If one is found in a strange place (indoors or in proximity to pets) caution should be taken when it is caught or moved.

2. What to Look for if Someone or a Pet Has Been Bitten

A bite may cause pain, swelling and redness at the site. Others may have more serious symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and muscle aches. If there are signs such as difficulty breathing or severe pain, it may indicate that an individual is having an allergic response or that the venom’s effects are severe.

Even pets are in danger if they accidentally disturb a banana spider. Owners need to look for any swelling or tenderness around the bite area, tiredness or problems moving. If an animal grows suddenly peculiar, veterinary assistance is in order.

3. Conditions That Might Make Them More Dangerous

While banana spiders’ bites are usually not deadly, their venom is painful and unpleasant. Bites may become dangerous to allergic victims or if the prey is injected with a considerable amount of venom. People with a weakened immune systems, young children, the elderly, or individuals with an allergy to bites may have more pronounced reactions to a bite.

In such cases, seek medical help right away. One bite may be doable, but several from a pack of banana spiders or repeated exposures could add up to greater toxicity.

4. When to Seek Medical Help or Take Action

Seek Medical Attention Immediately If:

• The bites are associated with either rapid redness and swelling, severe pain.
• Symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness or difficulty breathing occur.
• Uncommon reactions such as fastening heart rate or twitching of muscles are detected.

For Pets: Take a pet to the vet promptly if it appears in serious pain, has swelling or weakness that could indicate a venomous bite.

Self-Care: Clean the bite, and then apply a cold compress to reduce swelling (in the case of minor bites). The bite may need to be observed for infection and for the development of a more severe reaction.

What to Do if You Spot One in Your Yard or Home

When banana spiders are spotted in the yard or home, it's important to understand how to handle and prevent them.

Safe Methods for Handling Banana Spiders in the Garden

• Gentle Relocation: If a person sees a banana spider in their garden and does not want it in the area, the best thing to do is to gently relocate it. Gently confine the spider to a large can or jar. Next, a paper can be slipped underneath the jar to pick the spider up. The spider needs to be removed from the garden, well away from spots where it could become a concern. The use of gloves is strongly advised to prevent possible bites.
• Avoid Direct Contact: Never handle the spider with your hands. Although banana spiders are not normally aggressive, they may bite defensively if handled roughly.
• Remove Hiding Spots: People will find banana spiders hiding in the dark or shaded areas. Keeping plants and shrubs pruned back and eliminating piles of leaves or debris will eliminate hiding places, which will make the garden less appealing for a spider to build a home.

How to Keep the Home and Garden Spider-Free

• Natural Repellents: If want to prevent banana spiders from invading the home or garden, people can rely on natural repellents including essential oils. Spiders are repelled by the smell of peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus oils. Spiders also dislike essential oils, and people can add a few drops to a spray bottle of water to spray window sills, doorways and the corners of walls.
• Keep Areas Clean: Cleaning cob-webbing spots, such as corners, basements, attics can make the home less appealing to spiders looking for a place to retire. Spiders like quiet, dark spots, so when people keep their homes clean they can easily avoid letting spiders set up.
• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect the home for cracks, gaps, or holes in walls, windows, or doors, and seal them tightly. Spiders can squeeze through quite small gaps, so making sure that the home is properly sealed will stop them from getting in.

Hiring Professional Pest Control

• When to Call a Professional: If banana spiders cause recurring problems or get indoors despite deterrent measures, people may need to contact a professional pest control service. Professionals are able to evaluate how large the spider problem is, where problem areas exist, and then treat these specific areas to eliminate spiders. 
• Why Professional Help is Necessary: While do-it-yourself options are useful for small or isolated incidents, a professional pest control service has access to stronger treatments and equipment. If the spiders in question are dangerous, you can catch and remove them safely and effectively. A commercial pest service also ensures that the infestation doesn't recur.

Banana Spiders and the Ecosystem

Banana spiders, while sometimes scary, are a crucial component to keeping a garden ecosystem healthy and balanced.

1. Role in Controlling Insect Populations

Banana spiders provide natural insect control in the garden. They eat harmful insects like mosquitoes, flies and other agricultural pests as a natural predator. Also, as they feast on these pests, banana spiders play a role in keeping a garden’s ecosystem thriving.

2. The Importance of Not Unnecessarily Killing Spiders in the Garden

Most people are afraid of spiders, but it’s important to know that they’re the friends when it comes to gardening. Needlessly killing spiders can lead to an upset in the balance of nature as they also act as great pest control. By trying to remove them, people can create an imbalance that may end up producing a surplus of insect pests that may in turn can attack plants and crops. Alternatively, less disruptive translocation or non-intervention, may be a better strategy for coping with them.

3. Benefits of Spiders for Biodiversity in the Yard

Spiders like the banana spider, for example, are very much necessary in a garden. They keep species diversity by eating a variety of insects. This balance is necessary to maintain healthy growth and to avoid the success of one particular plant species. The more that gardeners can allow spiders to flourish, the more diverse and rich their yard environments will become.

The Bottom Line

Banana spider in Florida are relatively less dangerous than they look, contrary to popular belief. The vast majority of species, like the Golden Silk Orb-Weaver and the Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider, are actually harmless and contribute significantly to a healthy exosystem function, predator control of insects and preserving biodiversity.

For those interested in controlling spiders in their garden, Growcycle is a great source for information about natural pest control and how to keep the garden ecosystem healthy. This exchange offers organic gardeners like horticulturists, arborists, landscapers, florists and other “green” professionals a tangible benefit that shows their commitment to natural alternatives for plantscape management. 

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.