Most Venomous Spiders in Florida

It scares some people to learn that almost every spider species that we know of is venomous. However, most of these spiders only have enough venom to deal with the insects that they consume. Because there are only a handful of spiders in Florida that are venomous to harm us, it’s important to learn more about identifying and avoiding them. Read on for some insight from the spider control experts at Florida Pest Control!

The 4 Most Venomous Spiders in Florida

The most dangerous spiders to watch out for in Florida come from two distinct families: the widows and the recluses. Here are some features to look for to identify them:

1. Black widow: The black widow spider female has a shiny black body and a red hourglass-shaped figure on her abdomen. These are the most infamous venomous spiders in Florida because of the threat of hospitalization and potentially fatal consequences associated with their bites.
2. Red widow: These widow spiders take the same shape as black widows but have a redding-orange head and thorax. They are often found in palmettos and sand-pine scrub.
3. Brown widow: Brown widows look almost nothing like their widow counterparts, besides having an hourglass figure on their abdomen. They have striped patterns of varying shades of brown across their legs and their bodies and are more likely to build webs on man-made structures.
4. Brown recluse: As the most venomous spiders in Florida outside of the widow family, the brown recluse is one of the most feared spiders in the area. You can identify them by their violin-shaped marking on their back, small size, and pale brown colorations.

A spider bite from any of these venomous spiders can lead to swelling, severe pain, nausea, sweating, and intense muscle cramps. If you think you’ve been bitten by a venomous spider, seek medical attention immediately.

How to Avoid Venomous Spiders

Since spiders are predators, their main priority is finding a place to hide with easy access to a population of prey. This means that they are often found nearby where insects are living.

In order to discourage spiders from living around your home or business, you can do the following:

• Assess moisture problems to prevent insect breeding grounds
• Declutter the inside of your home, including your attic or other storage spaces
• Trim your trees and keep your lawn cut short
• Call a spider removal expert for a property inspection

Keeping Out Florida Poisonous Spiders

If you think you’ve found venomous spiders in your home or on your property in Florida, avoid them at all costs and call your local pest control company. At Florida Pest Control, we train our spider control specialists to safely remove dangerous spiders and assess properties to find vulnerabilities that led to your infestation. For a free quote, contact our team today!