You font say what size these spiders are. If they are the size of a pinhead thry are spidermites. You eould need to treat for that. I've had good success eith the following: 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup alcohol plus a couple drops dish soap.

Those are clearly not spider mites - look @ the size of the webs!

Here ya go - this looks likely - non-native, seemingly....

Here is a link that might be useful: Colonial Tentweb Orbweaver

Bea, spider mites are not a type of spider. The pictures clearly illustrate a spider....doesn't matter what size it is.

Thanks for the follow-ups.

Yes, carolb_w_fl, I think they look a lot like that, but lighter in color. The largest one I saw a couple of weeks ago was about the size of a quarter, with lots of tiny ones throughout.

My yard also usually has a fair number of spiny orbweavers in it, but this year the yard has been full of them and this year is the first time I've noticed that they've sometimes "anchored" their webs with a single strand right to the ground.

I'll try calling the Broward extension office tomorrow to see what they know about the Tentwebs.

Thanks again.

Your welcome - & forgot to mention those 2 bottom photos are most definitely NOT of spider mites.

Spider mites are not even spiders. They are mites!

That is a 'real spider web.' Make sure you post back when you learn what it is.

Jane

You nailed it, carolb_w_fl. The author of the article in the link you provided confirms that this is Cyrtophora citricola, the Tentweb orbweaver. It has extended its range from south Dade to "almost half way up the peninsula"... and a bunch of them stopped in my back yard.

Thanks again.