Spiders in Florida homes

Florida is home to a wide variety of spiders, and nearly all of them are harmless to people. Most actually help by eating insects. Still, finding spiders and webs indoors is unsettling, and a few species are worth knowing about.

Spiders worth knowing in Florida

• Southern black widow: shiny black with a red hourglass under the abdomen; venomous but shy.
• Brown widow: tan to brown with an orange hourglass; common around homes, under eaves, patio furniture and mailboxes.
• Red widow: rare, and lives only in Florida’s scrub habitat, so it’s unlikely in a typical yard.
• Golden silk orb-weaver (banana spider): large, with huge golden webs; looks dramatic but isn’t dangerous to people.

Are there brown recluse spiders in Florida?

Almost certainly not in your home. UF/IFAS found no evidence of established brown recluse populations in Florida; the few confirmed finds were isolated specimens carried in from other states. Most bites blamed on brown recluses in Florida turn out to have other causes.

How to keep spiders out

1. Vacuum corners, under furniture and webs regularly.
2. Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and utility lines, and keep screens in good repair.
3. Reduce outdoor lighting around your home, which draws the insects spiders eat.
4. Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard.
5. Trim shrubs and vegetation back from the house.

How DNR treats spiders

We treat around the home’s exterior and the areas where spiders hide and build webs, and remove webs from eaves and entryways. Because spiders follow their food, our general pest service also cuts down the insects that attract them. Call 727-594-0404 or book a free consult.

Related pest spotlights: Beneficial Insects in Florida and Palmetto Bugs vs. Cockroaches.

FAQ

Are there brown recluse spiders in Florida? UF/IFAS has found no established populations in Florida.

Is the banana spider poisonous? The golden silk orb-weaver can bite if handled, but it isn’t considered dangerous to people.

Which Florida spiders are venomous? The widow spiders, including the southern black widow and brown widow. Seek medical care if you’re bitten by one.

Sources: University of Florida/IFAS, Brown Recluse Spider; Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Red Widow Spider. Reviewed by Ricky Williams, Certified Operator in Charge.