Spiders In Florida: Common Types, And How to Get Rid of Them

Spiders are everywhere, and there's nothing we can do about it. They're in our homes, on the ground outside during summer, and sometimes in our beds! The question is: why? How do I identify them? What are their nesting habits? And most importantly, how do I get rid of them? We will cover all of that and more.

What do the most common spiders in Florida look like?

• Brown recluse spider - This spider is typically brown or dark gray but can also be yellowish. They have a vivid violin pattern on their back, which is the easiest way to identify them. It's essential not to kill this spider if you see it in your home because there is venom that causes necrosis of the skin around where the bite occurred and sometimes even death!
• Brown widow spider—These spiders can be identified by their brown and orange coloration. They have a distinct 'hourglass' shape on the lower abdomen, which is where they get their name!
• Orb weaver spider - These spiders are found all over Florida, but they specifically like to live in trees or around homes. It has eight eyes that typically sit on the front of its face. It is brown and white in color.
• Giant House spider—These are the largest house spiders, but they are not dangerous to humans! They have very long legs compared to their body size, distinguishing them from other spiders living inside people's homes. They eat many different kinds of insects and can benefit your home by preventing pests.

Where do spiders like to live?

Spiders thrive in dark, damp areas where they can hide and build their webs. They like to live in trees, homes near bodies of water, or areas that are close to the ground.

Are spiders harmful to humans?

It is very rare for people to get bitten by spiders unless you disturb them first! Spiders typically won't bite humans on purpose since we aren't insects. People are more likely to get bitten because someone was sleeping with the window open when walking outdoors. Only some types of spiders, like black widows, are venomous and can cause harmful reactions in humans. But typically, no, they are not harmful.

What is the benefit of spiders?

Since many spiders feed on insects, it's actually very beneficial for you to have these types of spiders around your home! Spiders eat all sorts of other bugs, too, so they might be helping you avoid other infestations in your home.

How do you get rid of spiders?

There are several ways to get rid of spiders around your home, either with a DIY method or with professional treatments. Those include:

• Regularly cleaning spider webs around your home. 
• Keep your house's exterior clean so spiders don't have places to hide and build their nests or where they can lay eggs. 
• Trimming trees around your yard so they don't touch the exterior of your home. This can help keep spiders from crawling through cracks in your home.
• Get professional pest control. Deans Services offers professional pest removal treatments to get rid of bugs for the long haul.