Hey there, fellow Floridian (or soon-to-be one)! I’ve spent enough time under the Florida sun to know — if you live here, you will meet a few spiders. Whether you’ve spotted a shiny web in your garden or stumbled upon a “weird orange spider Florida” moment on your porch, I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the common Florida spiders — what they look like, where they love to hide, and how to deal with them (without freaking out). I’ll also share when it’s time to call in a pro and when you can simply let nature do its thing.
So, grab your coffee (and maybe keep your shoes handy), and let’s dive into the wild, webby world of spiders in Florida!
Why Are We Talking About Common Florida Spiders?
If you live in Florida, chances are you’ve seen more than a few spiders around your home or yard. That’s no surprise — the state’s warm, humid climate is a paradise for them. With over 250 types of spiders in Florida, you’ll find everything from tiny house spiders to bold jumpers and even a few venomous ones.
Here’s why understanding common Florida spiders matters:
- Florida’s weather helps them thrive – Warm temperatures and high humidity keep spiders active all year.
- They’re nature’s pest control – Most Florida spiders eat flies, mosquitoes, and roaches, helping you more than you think.
- A few are venomous – While most are harmless, species like the black widow and brown recluse deserve caution.
- They love homes and gardens – Common spiders in Florida homes often hide in corners, garages, or near lights where insects gather.
Knowing your spiders helps you stay calm, stay safe, and decide when you might need a pro.
The Usual Suspects: House and Yard Spiders
Let’s meet the regulars! These are the common Florida spiders you’ll most often see hanging out in corners, porches, and gardens. From tiny Florida house spiders spinning quiet webs indoors to bold jumping spiders exploring your patio, most are harmless roommates that help keep bugs in check. You’ll spot them year-round thanks to Florida’s warm weather — but don’t worry, knowing who’s who makes sharing your space a lot less creepy.
House Spiders in Florida
These are the ones you’ll likely encounter indoors — in corners, closets, and behind furniture.
Key examples & traits:
- Common house spider: small, brownish or grey, builds messy little webs in dark spots.
- Jumping spider: compact body, big front eyes, known for leaping. Good at hunting insects.
- Cellar spider (“daddy long‐legs”): long thin legs, small body, usually harmless indoors.
What to do:
- Keep clutter minimal under furniture and in closets (spiders love hiding in boxes).
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows/doors to reduce entry.
- If you spot them and don’t want them inside, you can gently relocate them outdoors (they’re generally harmless).
Garden & outdoor web‐builders
When you’re outside, you’ll see spiders that build webs between shrubs, across porches, around lights. Here are some prominent ones:
- Orb‐weavers: These spin big circular webs (sometimes up to 12 feet across!). One common type is the golden silk orb‐weaver (sometimes described as “orange spider Florida”).
- Spiny orb‐weaver: Small but colorful with spiny protrusions on its abdomen. Totally harmless to humans.
- Wolf spiders: Don’t build webs — they hunt on the ground. Big size, quick motion may spook you, but they’re mostly harmless.
Good to know: These spiders are part of the ecosystem. They help control pests like mosquitoes and flies. So if they’re outside and not bothering you, they’re doing a service.
Credit: tomsguide.com
The Ones to Know: Bigger, Bold, or Potentially Risky
Let us now look at some of the risky ones.
Largest Florida spiders & standout species
Some spiders just grab attention because they’re large or vividly colored.
- Golden silk orb‐weaver (sometimes called banana spider): Big size, golden web, occasional “orange” hue.
- Florida wolf spider (e.g., Hogna miami): Large ground‐dwelling spider in parts of Florida.
Even though they may look scary, many of these “largest Florida spiders” are not dangerous to humans.
Venomous spiders in Florida
Yes, they’re rare—but worth your attention so you can identify and avoid trouble.
- Black widow spiders (genus Latrodectus): Recognisable by shiny black body and red/orange hourglass marking underneath. Found in hidden spots like woodpiles, garages, under benches.
- Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa): Much rarer in Florida than some think. Known for violin‐shaped mark on its back and six eyes (most spiders have eight).
Important: If you suspect one of these in your home, don’t try to handle it yourself. Instead consider calling professional help.
Spotting, Identifying & Understanding Common Spiders in Florida Homes
Whether it’s a “red spider Florida” mention or “spider in nest” on the porch, here are tips to help you feel more confident:
Checklist for Spider Identification:
- Size & body shape (compact vs long legs, hairy vs smooth)
- Color & distinctive markings (hourglass, violin‐shape, stripes)
- Web type or hunting method (orb web vs ground hunter)
- Location: indoors vs outdoors, high vs ground level
- Behaviour: Running, jumping, building, hiding
For example: If you see a brightly colored spider spinning a large vertical web between bushes, it’s likely an orb‐weaver and not something to panic about. If it’s a shiny black spider with an hourglass mark under its belly and it’s in a woodpile—now you might pay more attention.
How to Prevent and Manage Spider Pests
Credit: pestworld.org
If you’re thinking about “spider pest control cost”, prevention helps keep things inexpensive. Professional removal or control may cost more depending on severity, species, and home size.
Preventive strategies:
- Seal entry points: check window screens, door sweeps, and foundation cracks.
- Reduce clutter inside and outside: boxes, debris, and wood piles = spider hideouts.
- Manage moisture: spiders like humid, dark spots. Use dehumidifiers and ventilate attics/crawl spaces.
- Outdoor lighting: bright white lights attract insects, which attract spiders — consider yellow or sodium‐vapor lights.
- Professional training & help: If you want to level up your knowledge, consider classes like those offered by BugLady Pest Management Training (check their pest control classes) — which can help you identify and manage pests, including spiders.
In many cases, a routine inspection and exclusion job will cost much less than dealing with an infestation or a harmful bite.
When to Call in the Professionals?
Here are clear scenarios when DIY may not cut it:
- You identify a venomous spider in Florida (black widow, recluse) in your home.
- You find a nest/web of spiders in hidden spaces and suspect many are living inside (e.g., attic, crawl space).
- You’re repeatedly seeing spiders despite doing the preventive work (indicates a bigger entry or habitat issue).
- You’d like formal training or want to set up a monitoring program (again, that BugLady training link is helpful).
Professional services can also help with species identification (crucial for genuine risk) and cost‐effective exclusion.
Why Understanding Florida Spiders Identification Matters?
- It helps you decide when a spider is no big deal vs when you should be cautious.
- It prevents unnecessary fear — many “scary spiders” are harmless.
- It helps you protect your home, family, and pets from potential bites.
- It supports you in taking the right management path (DIY vs professional).
If you want to get even better at identifying or managing them, check out Bug Lady’s Pest Control Classes — they’re great for learning pest ID and prevention the easy way.
The Bottom Line
Yes, spiders are all around us in Florida — but the phrase common Florida spiders doesn’t need to scare you. Most of them are harmless, even helpful. The key is knowing which ones are in your house or yard, how to spot them, and how to respond. If you’re curious or frustrated by frequent sightings, the training offered by BugLady (check their pest-control classes) is a great resource to up your game.
You can live comfortably in Florida while coexisting with nature’s eight-legged pest controllers — just stay alert, keep your space tidy, and don’t hesitate to call a pro if something doesn’t look right.
FAQ’s
Time to answer a few of your common questions!
Are most Florida spiders dangerous?
Nope! The vast majority are harmless and even helpful — only a few, like the black widow or brown recluse, need real caution.
What’s that big orange spider in my yard?
That’s likely a golden silk orb-weaver (aka banana spider). It looks dramatic but isn’t dangerous — just loves catching bugs!
Why do I see so many spiders in Florida homes?
Warm, humid weather keeps them active year-round — and your cozy corners make perfect hiding spots.
How can I keep spiders out of my house?
Seal cracks, reduce clutter, and switch to yellow outdoor lights to attract fewer insects (and fewer spiders).
When should I call a pest control pro?
If you spot a venomous spider, see webs or nests multiplying indoors, or want expert prevention advice — call in the pros.
