Spider question. Creepy Crawly pic warning!

[kitten645]

Anyone here know what kind of spider this is and is it venemous (sp?) It's awefully big..about 2.5 inches and fat and striped. He's living at the bottom of my steps (that's my apartment number he's in front of) I have to keep reminding myself he's there cause I'm afraid I'll literally run into him one day :eek:
Also, any suggestions for natural spider repelants? http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/missmeow645/IMG_2384.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/missmeow645/IMG_2385.jpg

[krazyaboutkatz]

That sure is a large spider.:eek: It looks like it's a yellow garden spider (http://entomology.uark.edu/museum/argiope.html). If it's this kind of spider then it's harmless. I remember seeing these when I lived in S.C. and I used to throw bugs into the web so I could watch the spider spin it's web around the bug.

Here's another good link garden spiders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_garden_spider).

[Twisterdog]

Cool! Thanks for not killing him!

One spider equals millions of dead flies and mosquitos in my book! :)

[sweetpatata6]

It kinda sorta looks like a Banana Spider.... Where do you live?

[ramanth]

That's a lovely Orb Weaver aka Garden Spider. They eat lots of nasty insects.

[kitten645]

Hi there,
Thanks for the info. I live in Northern California.
He's been living here several weeks and I don't see anything in his rather large web. Course I know nothing about spiders so that may be perfectly normal. I don't mind spiders but they are abundant here and nearly eveyday out my front door I end up with a face full of web! Busy little guys :p

[petslover]

Okay i just got chills from how big he is.

sooo what did you name your new pet? ;)

[ScottieMommy]

I like spiders because they kill so many bugs i dont actually like lol, keep it alive if its no harm.