There are many types of spiders all over Florida, and you are likely to have spiders in or around your home. Spiders can be beneficial due to the fact that many of the kinds of spiders you may find in your house eat insects that may be flying in and eating your plants. Though most are harmless to humans, they can be a nuisance as they make your house their home, and there are some spiders you should look out for around or inside of your house. Most people don’t know what types of spiders they are dealing with in their homes. Here are some of the spiders you are most likely to come across in North Florida.
Banana Spiders AKA Golden Orb Weavers
The name golden orb is believed to come from the yellow/golden color of their webs which makes them harder to see in the natural sunlight. Banana spiders prefer flying insects and consume their prey almost immediately. They most often spin their webs high off the ground on tall trees. The female banana spider has yellow spots on a light orange/tan abdomen, and its legs have brown and orange stripes. Male banana spiders are dark brown and smaller than females. These spiders are not poisonous, and they are scared of humans. They can bite, but it will only produce a slight redness. Banana spiders are also mostly found in swampy areas or near the coast. The easiest way to get rid of a banana spider is to simply remove the web (with a broom or stick); you may have to remove it a few times until the spider eventually moves elsewhere.
Brown Recluse Spiders
These dangerous spiders are hard to find, as they typically stay very hidden. Their bites won’t often be noticeable until a few hours after they bite. The area will become painful within the first 8 hours and escalate from there. If the bite is not taken care of as soon as you notice that the bite is swollen, discolored, or oozing, it can have very harmful effects. If the bite has formed an ulcer blister with a dark blue or purple center, it causes you extreme pain, or you have an infection at the site of the bite, you should go see a doctor. It is especially dangerous to children under seven years of age and people with compromised immune systems. Brown recluses have a violin shaped mark on their light-brown bodies. They can survive more than a year without food or water; therefore, an infestation should be taken care of as soon as you know about it. Calling a professional is very important in this situation.
Crab Spiders
They often hide in flowers and attack insects that come to feed. They often stay outdoors but may accidentally wander into your home. These spiders use their hind legs to crawl sideways and are colored to match their habitat. For example, female spiders can change from white to yellow depending on what type of flower they are on. They are not dangerous to people or pets, so there is no need to worry. To rid your area of crab spiders, remove their nests with water or a broom, remove debris, such as mulch and grass clippings, from plants, and keep grass near your outdoor patio areas cut short.
Jumping Spiders
Among the smaller spiders, they jump after their prey and don’t make webs. Many are brightly colored, have dense hairs around their bodies, and are commonly found on or around buildings. Jumping spiders are more likely to run away than attack. They can bite, but they are not poisonous. You can easily vacuum them up if you see them in your home.
Sac Spiders
You might find these spiders in your gardens. They tend to grow to only around a quarter of an inch and are yellowish with a slight tinge of green. These spiders spin themselves a silk tube where they wait out the day to come out to hunt at night. Unlike other garden varieties, these spiders can be a danger to humans. Their bite can cause redness, itching and pain sometimes leading to nausea, malaise, or muscle cramps. These symptoms tend to dissipate, but if you are concerned, you should seek medical attention.
Spiny Orb-Weaver Spiders
One of the most colorful spiders in Florida, they have spines protruding from their abdomen, and they generally look like a crab because of their body shape. They will enter through door gaps or torn screens, and thick trees that are near or touch doors or windows help them get in. To prevent them from entering your home, you can try to keep insects to a minimum and close gaps in doors and windows, but most of the time they will stay outside of your home. They are mostly harmless and pose no serious health risks, but their large webs are often annoying and will end up everywhere. Along with that, their egg sacs contain over 200 eggs, so their infestations can become large.
Wolf Spiders
These are hunting spiders; they will chase their prey rather than hide and wait for their prey to come to them. Wolf spiders are usually grey with brown markings and are large and hairy. They are especially common in grasslands and meadows but are almost anywhere they can find insects to eat. It is difficult to distinguish between an egg carrying female wolf spider and a non-egg carrying wolf spider. The egg sac is, a round, silken globe, that is attached to the end of the abdomen. If you try to kill an egg carrying spider by hitting it, the hundreds of baby spiders may be released. It may be best to trap and release it or have a vacuum ready. A bite from one of these poisonous spiders will likely lead to swelling and itching, but their venom is not strong enough to put a human or pet’s life in danger.
Early Signs of Infestation
If you start to notice more webs around your house, backyard, or windowsills, you may have an issue. Spiders usually mate in the late fall; they usually lay their eggs in silk spun sacs, which can be attached to webs or other surfaces and can hold up to 100 eggs. Seeing one of these sacs could mean that you will soon have an infestation if it’s not taken care of. Simply seeing more spiders around your area could also mean that they are multiplying. An easy and natural way to prevent spiders from entering your home is to spray a vinegar and water mixture around cracks, crevices and entrances to your home. If you have a serious infestation, then you may want to call a professional. 
Kamilah Williamson
Home & Yard Magazine
