Which spiders in Florida are actually dangerous?
Widow spiders. UF/IFAS says the only spiders native to or established in Florida with medically significant venom are the widows, and FDACS lists four: the southern black widow, northern black widow, red widow and brown widow. Widows are shy and bites are uncommon — they usually happen when a spider is pressed against skin in clothing, gloves or a dark corner.
| Spider | How to recognize it | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Southern black widow | Shiny black, red hourglass under the abdomen | Medically significant venom |
| Brown widow | Tan to dark brown, orange to yellow-orange hourglass, spiky round egg sacs | Medically significant venom; very timid |
| Northern black / red widow | Black or reddish, with red to orange markings | Medically significant venom; less common around homes |
| Orb weavers, wolf spiders, house spiders | Big wheel webs, ground hunters, cobwebs in corners | Generally harmless; they eat insects |
What about brown recluse spiders in Plant City?
Very unlikely. UF/IFAS says there is no scientific evidence that any recluse is established in Florida and that many "recluse bites" are misdiagnosed. That said, FDACS lists Hillsborough County among the counties where a Mediterranean recluse has been found, and the Chilean recluse has been found in neighboring Polk County — so a suspected recluse is worth keeping in a jar for identification rather than guessing.
Where do widow spiders hide around a house?
In sheltered, undisturbed spots at hand height. The brown widow is the widow UF/IFAS says people find most often around homes, building webs inside old tires, buckets and nursery pots, mailboxes, entryway corners, under eaves, behind hurricane shutters, in cluttered garages and in the handles of plastic garbage cans.
- Wear gloves when moving boards, firewood, pots or stored boxes — FDACS recommends it.
- Shake out shoes, gloves and clothes that have sat in a garage or shed.
- Vacuum webs and egg sacs, then seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and throw it out.
- Move clutter, lumber and debris away from walls; seal gaps around doors and windows.
What should I do after a spider bite?
Clean it, cool it, and call poison control for advice. Florida's poison control centers advise washing the bite with soap and water, using cool compresses, and going to the emergency department if symptoms spread beyond the bite — widow bites can cause muscle cramps, sweating, headache and severe trunk pain. If you can, bring the spider (safely, in a sealed container).
When is it worth calling a pest control company?
When widows keep turning up, or spiders are a sign of a bigger bug problem. Spiders follow their food, so lots of spiders often means lots of insects. A technician can identify the species, clear webs and egg sacs from eaves and shutters, treat harborage, and point out what is drawing them in. For homes on big lots out in Dover or near the lake in Thonotosassa, sheds, woodpiles and pool equipment are the usual hot spots. It is one of the calls handled through our pest control line for Plant City, FL; if you're seeing roaches as well, start with cockroach control.