Large spiders the size of your palm are popping up across the U.S. Here's why you shouldn't be afraid

"They're not medically significant. They're great big bugs, but they're not going to bite you and cause terrible damage. Their spider webs can get up to 10 feet."

"The spiders benefit humans by acting as natural pest control, eating mosquitoes, biting flies and invasive stink bugs. Their venom isn't dangerous to people or pets and they seldom bite."

"They disperse themselves by 'ballooning,' in which spiderlings release silk that catches in the wind, letting them travel. This falsely gives people the impression that the spiders can somehow fly."

The Joro spider, an invasive species from East Asia, has been spotted across the U.S., including California. These spiders can grow as large as a human palm and create webs up to 10 feet. Experts state they are not dangerous to humans or pets, and their venom is not harmful. They serve as natural pest control by consuming mosquitoes and other pests. The spiders disperse by 'ballooning,' which gives the illusion of flight. People are encouraged to remain calm upon encountering them.

Read at Los Angeles Times