Beware – Wicked Venomous Flying Spiders Headed Toward Missouri

I have good news and bad news. Well, it's mostly bad news, but there is a silver lining to a report that a species of wicked-looking venomous flying spiders are headed toward Missouri.

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Have you ever learned something and immediately wished you hadn't learned it? That is my situation as I came across a report that an invasive spider that is native to Japan has now made its way to America. I was horrified to learn where they've already been spotted.

Newsnation was the first outlet I saw reporting on the fast-spreading invasive Joro Spiders. Here are a couple of things you need to know about this wicked spider. First of all, they're huge - think the size of your hand. Second, the female Joro Spiders are venomous. Oh, and these spiders can fly for miles using the equivalent of a spider parachute.

Now, for the really bad news. SI Live says Joro Spiders have already been spotted in Tennessee and News Nation says they are also in Oklahoma. And, they're heading northward. Shudder.

Now for some more bad news. Experts say that the Joro Spider is "here to stay" and with Missouri winters becoming more mild, they may really enjoy it here.

Now for a little good news. While Joro Spiders are venomous, they are also "shy" and have not been known to bite humans (yet). Their main focus is on bugs that get caught in their huge webs which are known to be 3 feet in diameter, by the way.

If you see one of these spiders in Missouri, might be good to report it to the Department of Conservation and then go seal all the doors and windows in your home with concrete (which is what I'll be doing)