How to Identify Florida's 8 Most Common Spiders
Florida's warm, humid climate provides an ideal habitat for various spider species, including some that may wander indoors. While spiders help keep pest populations down, homeowners can benefit from knowing which species they’re most likely to encounter. Here’s a guide to some of Florida's common spiders, with tips for identifying and understanding them.
1. Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
The Southern black widow is one of the most well-known venomous spiders in Florida. Recognized by their glossy black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen, black widows are solitary creatures that are typically found in undisturbed outdoor areas, though they can sometimes venture indoors. They build irregular, tangled webs where they rest during the day and hunt at night.
Danger Level: Dangerous. The venom of the Southern black widow is highly toxic and can cause severe reactions in humans. While bites are rarely fatal, they can lead to intense pain, muscle cramps, nausea, and other symptoms. Immediate medical attention is necessary if bitten.
Where to Find Them: Southern black widows are often found in dark, sheltered locations such as wood piles, sheds, garages, basements, and outdoor structures like playground equipment or sheds. Indoors, they may hide in corners, under furniture, or in basements and closets. They prefer quiet, undisturbed areas where they can safely spin their irregular webs.
Identification Tips: The Southern black widow is easy to identify by its shiny black body and the signature red hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its abdomen. The hourglass is often orange or red, and the spider is generally about 1.5 inches in length (with legs). Females are more easily identifiable than males, as males are much smaller and often less conspicuous. If you encounter a black widow, exercise caution and avoid disturbing its web.
2. Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)
The brown recluse spider is one of the more well-known and potentially dangerous spiders found in Florida, though they are still relatively rare in the state. Known for their shy and reclusive nature, these spiders often prefer dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, or basements. They are efficient hunters and often hide in places like piles of clothing or boxes.
Danger Level: Potentially dangerous. While brown recluse spiders are not aggressive, their bite can cause serious medical issues. The venom can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death) in some cases, though many bites result in only mild reactions. Immediate medical attention is recommended if bitten by a brown recluse.
Where to Find Them: In Florida, brown recluse spiders are most commonly found in quiet, dark spaces like closets, basements, attics, and garages. They may also hide in piles of clothing, under furniture, or in stored items that aren’t frequently disturbed. They are not typically found outdoors in the state, preferring indoor environments.
Identification Tips: Brown recluse spiders are typically light brown or tan with a characteristic dark, violin-shaped marking on their backs, which is often the easiest way to identify them. They are medium-sized spiders, with a body length of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Their legs are long and thin, and they have six eyes arranged in pairs, unlike most spiders, which have eight. They tend to be inactive during the day and create irregular webs in corners or hidden spots.
3. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
Common house spiders are small, often brown or gray spiders that are frequently found inside Florida homes. These spiders are typically harmless and prefer dark, undisturbed areas where they can spin their webs to catch a variety of insects. They are one of the most prevalent indoor spiders and are often seen in corners, basements, or attics.
Danger Level: Harmless to humans. Common house spiders are not venomous in a way that poses a threat to people. Their bites, if they occur, may cause slight irritation, but they’re not medically significant.
Where to Find Them: As the name suggests, common house spiders are typically found indoors, especially in dark corners, basements, garages, attics, or behind furniture. They tend to thrive in undisturbed spaces and often build their irregular, tangled webs in places where flies and other small insects are common.
Identification Tips: These spiders are small, usually about the size of a dime, and often tan, gray, or brown in color with lighter markings. Their webs are messy, irregular, and often located in hidden areas of the home. Common house spiders can be identified by their compact, bulbous abdomens and smaller, thin legs.
4. Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Nephila clavipes)
The golden silk orb-weaver, often called the "banana spider" due to its yellowish hue, is known for its large size and impressive golden-colored webs. These spiders are skilled builders, weaving some of the most beautiful and strong webs in the spider world. Though their appearance can be intimidating, they are generally harmless and are beneficial to the ecosystem by preying on various insects, including mosquitoes and flies.
Danger Level: Harmless to humans. While their bite is venomous, it is not considered dangerous to people, and they rarely bite unless provoked. Their venom is primarily used to subdue prey.
Where to Find Them: Golden silk orb-weavers are typically found in Florida’s warm, humid environments, especially near wooded areas, gardens, and around water sources. You might also find them around outdoor lights at night, where they catch insects attracted to the light.
Identification Tips: These spiders are large, with females reaching up to 3 inches in body length. They have a distinctive yellow and black coloration on their bodies, with long, spindly legs. Their webs are unmistakable, with a golden hue that reflects the sun’s rays, often stretched between trees, shrubs, or buildings. Their large size and unique web color make them one of Florida’s most visually striking spiders.
5. Spiny Orb-Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
The spiny orb-weaver spider is a small but visually striking species known for its colorful and spiny appearance. These spiders are not aggressive and pose no danger to humans, making them more of a curiosity than a threat. They are beneficial in Florida gardens, as they help control insect populations by trapping pests in their webs.
Danger Level: Harmless to humans. Although they have sharp spines on their abdomens, spiny orb-weavers will not bite unless handled, and their venom is not harmful to people.
Where to Find Them: You’ll often find spiny orb-weavers in Florida gardens, bushes, and shrubby areas, especially near plants that attract insects. They’re also commonly found near outdoor lights at night, where they catch moths and other flying insects.
Identification Tips: These spiders are small, with bodies usually no more than 1 inch long, and are known for their striking appearance. They have a round, often bright-colored abdomen that can range from yellow, orange, red, or white, with sharp, spiny protrusions extending from the sides. Their webs are typically located low to the ground, in vegetation or along garden paths.
6. Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family)
Wolf spiders are large, robust hunters known for their speed and agility. Unlike web-building spiders, wolf spiders are active ground hunters that rely on their quick reflexes to catch prey. They are solitary and primarily nocturnal, roaming around gardens and homes in search of insects.
Danger Level: Mostly harmless to humans. While wolf spiders can bite if threatened, their bites typically cause mild irritation and are not medically significant.
Where to Find Them: In Florida, wolf spiders can be found in gardens, grassy lawns, and leaf litter. They occasionally wander indoors, especially in the fall or when it rains heavily. You might spot them in garages, basements, or under furniture.
Identification Tips: Wolf spiders are generally brown, gray, or tan, with dark, distinctive markings on their bodies, often in a stripe pattern. They have a sturdy, hairy appearance, which sometimes leads them to be mistaken for tarantulas. Their large eyes reflect light at night, which is helpful for spotting them outdoors with a flashlight.
7. Jumping Spider (Salticidae family)
Jumping spiders are among the most active and curious spiders found in Florida. Unlike many other spiders, they don’t spin webs to catch prey. Instead, they rely on their excellent vision and agility to stalk and pounce on their food. With large, forward-facing eyes, they’re alert and often seem to observe their surroundings, making them fascinating to watch.
Danger Level: Harmless to humans. While jumping spiders can bite if directly handled, their venom is not dangerous and bites are rare.
Where to Find Them: Jumping spiders are commonly found on window sills, door frames, garden plants, and sometimes even inside homes. They prefer well-lit areas where they can hunt for insects during the day.
Identification Tips: They’re usually small, compact, and stocky, with furry bodies. Jumping spiders often have bold, striking color patterns, including black, brown, white, or even metallic green. Their distinctive eyes, with two large front-facing eyes and several smaller ones, give them an adorable yet alert look. Their quick, jerky movements and habit of “watching” people can make them easily identifiable.
8. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
Often called “daddy long-legs” (not to be confused with harvestmen), cellar spiders are easily recognized by their long, thin legs and small, slender bodies. They’re one of the most common spiders found indoors in Florida, particularly in humid, secluded areas. Known for their gentle nature, cellar spiders help control the insect population in homes.
Danger Level: Harmless to humans. Despite myths suggesting they have potent venom, there’s no scientific evidence supporting this, and their tiny fangs can’t pierce human skin.
Where to Find Them: True to their name, cellar spiders favor basements, cellars, garages, and other dark, damp areas. In Florida’s humid climate, they’re also often found in closets, attics, or bathrooms where moisture is present.
Identification Tips: Cellar spiders are typically pale gray, light brown, or tan and have extremely long, thin legs. They build loose, tangled webs, often in corners or above doorways, where they hang upside-down. Their web-building habit and the characteristic “vibrating” or shaking motion they use when disturbed make them easy to identify.
How to Manage Spiders
- Avoid Direct Contact: Most spiders are harmless and will avoid humans, so direct contact is rare. Try to leave them alone if possible.
- Keep Indoor Spaces Clean: Regularly vacuum corners, storage areas, and basements to reduce spider habitats.
- Seal Entry Points: Check for cracks, gaps in doors and windows, and screens to prevent spiders from entering your home.
- Control outdoor clutter: Trim vegetation around the foundation, remove leaf litter, and store firewood away from the house.
- Reduce outdoor lighting: Lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. Opt for yellow bulbs that are less attractive to bugs.
- Identify Before Acting: Use this guide to identify spiders before deciding to remove or relocate them. Many are harmless and even beneficial.
Florida’s climate and environment create a welcoming habitat for various spider species. While most spiders aren’t dangerous, understanding which species may require more caution can give you peace of mind. With a little knowledge, you can coexist safely with these fascinating arachnids in your Florida home.
Whether you need help identifying spiders or are looking to get rid of spiders in your home, contact our pest control professionals today!