Spiders can live everywhere from piles of wood outside of your house to the attic or crawlspace in your home. Preventative pest control can help so you don’t have to jump next time you see a spider.

It is important to have a pest control specialist inspect your living space and surrounding areas for common Florida spiders. Here are a few of the types of spiders most commonly found in Florida and how Florida Environmental Pest Management can help you prevent them. Here are the spiders that you’ll frequently see in Florida.

Common Florida Spiders

common florida spiders

Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are venomous spiders and you should stay away from them.

 

This spider is first on our list because it is a poisonous spider that can cause serious harm to humans and animals.  The feature that makes this one of the scariest poisonous spiders is its venom. Like most spiders, the brown recluse is not aggressive species until it’s touched. Most bites happen if you happen to roll over the spider or touch it when you are moving something.  Brown recluse spiders have very small fangs and cannot bite through clothing. The brown recluse can be identified by its dark violin-shaped mark on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear.

Huntsman Spider

 

The huntsman spider is found often on bananas, which has earned its nickname the banana spider. This species is on the list of since they thrive in warm environments.

These spiders usually have a body about one inch in length and can be found in greenhouses and heated buildings where they like to hide from humans. These shy spiders look dangerous, and have a painful bite, but are not poisonous.

Look for the huntsman spider’s hairy legs which tend to be between three and five inches long and brown in coloring. Many times, they can be confused for poisonous species like the brown recluse or the armed spider of Brazil. These spiders are most commonly found in Florida because they love the warm weather.

To be sure you are dealing with a huntsman spider or spiders, contact Florida Environmental Pest Management to have an expert assess your personal situation.

The Huntsman Spider got its name because it is such a fast hunter. They crawl and jump extremely fast to tackle and consume their prey.

Ant Mimic Spider – Castianeira longipalpa

 

This species of spider is mainly found outdoors in leaf piles and under logs. They occasionally wander indoors and enjoy hunting both during the day and at night. These spiders move in an ant-like fashion, which is where their nickname, “ant mimic” comes from.

These spiders are smaller in size, usually less than an inch. Ant mimic spiders look very similar to an ant and use this to their advantage. These Florida spiders pretend to be ants to defend themselves against predators.

If you find one of these in your home there is sure to be more. Females lay eggs generally in the fall or summer. Be on the lookout for these harmless, but annoying arachnids in areas of your house that attract moisture.

It can be hard to realize these are spiders instead of ants at first, but regardless it is always best to let a professional handle the problem. If you are seeing more and more spiders in your home call Florida Environmental Pest Management immediately.

Black Widow Spider – Latrodectus mactans

 

Another of the common Florida spiders are black widows. These well-known and poisonous spiders can cause many problems if not treated. They are poisonous to humans, but also a very shy species.

These poisonous arachnids feed at night exclusively and rest during the day. They are easily identified by the red hour glass shaped marking on the bottom of their abdomens. Black widows can be found in homes and pose a threat to inhabitants especially with children who may be more likely to be bitten.

Keep your hands and other body parts visible at all times to avoid a sneak attack by a black widow. These spiders are normally shy to human interaction and will generally only bite when they feel threatened.

Black widows will need to be exterminated as quickly as possible to avoid any danger to your family. Do not try to handle these spiders. Get professional help even if you only see one of them in your home.

Wolf Spider

 

Wolf spiders are very strong fast and agile hunters which is why they are named after the wolf.  While Wolf spiders (Lycosa) are not deadly to humans, their bite is so ferocious that it can still be very painful. Their bite is not venomous though so you do not have to worry that much.

Other Notable Spiders In Florida:

In addition to the recluse spider, wolf spider, huntsman spider, black widow & wolf spider you can find more species of spiders in our database including, Cellary spiders, yellow argiope spider southern black widow, northern black widow, brown widow, southern house spider, crab spider, black and yellow Argiope, cellar spiders, and more can be found in our spider database.

Spider Control

The best way to avoid a spider problem is to take preemptive actions. These spiders are all attracted to Florida homes and can cause an allergic reaction if you are a bit. If you come into contact with one of these spiders, we urge you not to wear gloves and try to handle it yourself. Some poisonous spiders can cause serious bodily injury. Most spiders feed off insects, so keeping your insect population in and around your home low is a good idea.

When dealing with spiders they often leave evidence, their webs, in corners and ceilings. Most spiders that gain access to homes do so through broken screen doors and gaps in windows or doorways. Another hot spot for spider activity is unused items such as clothing, boxes, and papers.

Make sure to clear your home of items that are not used frequently to keep spider housing options minimal. Always check windows and doors for gaps in weather stripping and broken screens.

Once you have vacuumed all the cobwebs and made sure your house is secure from gaps for spiders to crawl through call a professional. Florida Environmental Pest Management has staff trained in all of the most common Florida spiders and will be able to identify and cure your spider problem.

1: What Are The Most Common Spiders In Florida

Florida is home to a wide variety of spiders. A few of them are poisonous, while many others aren’t. They can be found both indoors and outdoors and the following are the most common spiders in the state:

  • Jumping Spiders
  • Crab Spiders
  • Wolf Spiders
  • Golden Silk Spider
  • Spiny Orb-weaver
  • Long-jawed Orb-weavers
  • Wolf Spiders
  • Black And Yellow Argiope Spider

2. Does Florida have big spiders?

The most enormous spiders in Florida are huntsman spiders, also known as giant crab spiders, because of their size and appearance. Generally, females range in length from 3 to 5 inches, but some specimens can grow to about 6 inches long.

3. How can you tell a poisonous spider?

To spot a poisonous spider, look at the hourglass. The hourglass is more orange than red. In addition, the hourglass will be absent or partial, leaving red or orange stripes and dots. The female is more distinguishable, easier to spot, and more poisonous. Males tend to be smaller and are known to lack any marks whatsoever.

4. How Do I Identify A Spider In Florida

To identify spiders found in Florida, one must examine the spider’s markings, body form, and whether or not it looks to have fur. Widow spiders, both black and brown, have an easily recognizable red hourglass marking on the bulbous bodies of the black and brown widows. House spiders often have a V-pattern on their backs, but recluse spiders have brown bodies with a marking that looks like a violin.

5. Are there poisonous spiders in Florida?

Florida is not known to be home to poisonous spiders. However, four of the most common spiders in the state are considered highly poisonous. Three are from the widow spider species, while the fourth belongs to the recluse spider species. They are the only two significant species of venomous spiders found in Florida.

6. What do Florida Spider bites look like?

Florida spider bite will typically look the same as any other bug bite, which is to say that it will appear as a red, swollen, and possibly itchy or painful bump on your skin. It may even go unnoticed.