I saw my first wolf spider over 30 years ago on my back patio loaded with about 100 babies, I was so impressed I left her alone, about a week later I found her again near the Azalea's, she and her brood were eating a black spider and earwigs. From then on she and brood were allowed to live in peace with me and her descendants still do.

 

These are “Orb Weaver” spiders. They are large (about 1/2” to 3/4” body length), and they usually appear in late summer and early fall. Right about now, in other words. This is their time of year to build webs and find mates.

They are 99% HARMLESS TO HUMANS. THEIR VENOM IS NON-TOXIC TO US. THEY ARE DOCILE AND NON-AGGRESSIVE. THEY ALMOST NEVER, EVER EVEN BITE!!!!

I know they’re scary looking, but they are our allies, not enemies. They devour insect pests that plague us. Also, they're mostly active at night - they rest in their webs during the day.