New Jersey Has Suddenly Become A Giant Spider Web, Why?

If you've spent any time outside around New Jersey lately, you may have noticed something that seems to have appeared overnight, giant spider webs.

And I mean EVERYWHERE.

I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm suddenly playing a game of don't walk into the spider web every time I head into my backyard or when I leave my house at the front door.

I counted at least four spiders hanging out around my yard, and I've been hearing the same thing from coworkers. Apparently, I'm not the only one wondering where all these spiders came from.

And here's the thing: I'm not particularly afraid of spiders. My daughter, that's another story, so afraid.

But I absolutely do NOT want to walk face-first into their web.

One of the spiders in my backyard has apparently decided that the perfect place to build its enormous web is directly across a walkway that we use constantly.

Every morning, there's a giant web. And every time I forget about it, SPLAT. I walked right through one last night.

So why does it suddenly feel like New Jersey has become one giant spider web?

Why Are There So Many Spider Webs Right Now?

Believe it or not, there's a reason we're noticing so many of them this time of year.

Spiders have been around for months in the heat of the summer. They've just been quietly doing their thing while growing throughout the spring and summer.

By late August and September, they're much larger, and so are the webs they're building.

That's why these spiders can suddenly seem like they've taken over your yard, porch, garden and anywhere else they can find a good place to stretch out a web. And, the webs are huge.

So while it may seem like there's been some kind of spider explosion in New Jersey, it's really more about the spiders reaching the point in their life cycle when they're big enough, and their webs are impressive enough, for us to notice them now.

If You Hate Spiders, There Is Some Good News

These type of spiders are generally considered helpful to have around because they catch insects in their webs. They're basically providing free pest control in your backyard.

And they're not looking to come after you. If you accidentally destroy a web or walk through one, the spider is generally much more interested in escaping than bothering you. Their bites are also uncommon, and when they do occur, they're generally considered mild.

They're working for us. They're eating bugs. They're just terrible at picking a convenient place to put their webs.

How Long Will All These Spider Webs Stick Around?

Unfortunately for those of us who aren't fans of surprise webs, they're not going anywhere immediately.

Spider activity is especially noticeable toward the end of summer and into early fall.

As temperatures eventually drop and the season changes, you'll start seeing fewer of these impressive webs.

In New Jersey, that means we may have to put up with them until the first frost finally arrives.

And considering how much I love summer and hate the cold, I'm certainly not going to be wishing for frost anytime soon.

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So for now, I guess I'll just be carrying a broom when I walk through my backyard.

Have you noticed more giant spider webs around New Jersey lately? Or have you already walked through one and gotten the full-face spider-web experience like I did? 🕷️😳