What Spiders Are Poisonous in Florida?
WouterThere are five types of venomous spiders in Florida. One of these spiders is the brown recluse. These spiders can be found in the sand-pine scrub of central and southern Florida. They are a little larger than a centimeter in size.
The black widow is the most common type of poisonous spider in Florida. It is a small, nocturnal spider that feeds on insects. It is not aggressive towards people. It only bites when threatened. The bite may cause nausea, muscle cramps, or sweating.
The Red Widow is another venomous species that is common in central and southern Florida. It is usually found in the sand-pine, palmetto, or pine scrub habitats. It builds a web underneath rolled-under palmetto fronds. It also builds a web in man-made structures, such as in a screened-in porch. It has a row of red spots on its thorax. Its bite is extremely venomous, and can be very painful.
The Daddy long legs spider is another Florida spider that can cause a lot of damage to your property if not properly dealt with. These spiders are most common in southwest Florida. They have elongated legs that are sometimes mistaken for the brown recluse. They only come out at night.
The Golden Orb spider is a mildly venomous spider. In the rare case that you are allergic to its venom, the bite can cause an allergic reaction. It has a dark violin-shaped marking on its back.
The Northern Black Widow has a similar appearance to the Southern Black Widow. The thorax is orange, the head is redish-orange, and there are a row of red spots on its gut. It can be found west of Tallahassee.
