Five Most Common House Spiders Found in Florida & Ohio

With approximately 3,400 species of spiders in North America, you are bound to see a few in your home now and then. Spiders are arachnids and are related to scorpions, mites, and ticks. Both residences and businesses in Florida and Ohio can see their share of spiders, and if you’re like most, they aren’t your favorite thing to see. Some of them are just downright creepy looking. While there are a few poisonous spiders that can cause harm, most spiders are harmless and will do their best to avoid humans. Let’s take a look at and identity some of the most common house spiders known in Florida and Ohio, including the two known for their venom.

The American House Spider

The American House spider is one of the most common of all spiders in the world and can be found in both Florida and Ohio. They are on the smaller side, are usually grey, and have white markings. The easiest way to identify this spider is by their rounded abdomens and their two back sets of eyes, which appear to be touching. They like to hang out in the dark, concealed areas such as your basement or garage. These spiders are harmless, but they do reproduce at a rapid rate. In a single lifetime, a female can produce up to 18 sacs holding 4,000 eggs! They also have very tangled or messy-looking webs.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are known for their high jumping ability. They tend to hunt for their prey during the day, sneaking up and prancing on their victims. Catching one hopping along your window, screen door, or wall can be quite scary. These spiders are not cute by any means. They are usually about a half-inch in length, are black, tan, or grey, and have hairy legs. Would someone please get these guys a razor? They have a distinct eye pattern where the front set of their eyes are larger than the back set. They can bite but are not venomous. Their bite is said to feel similar to a bee sting. They are not web-builders but prefer climbing along walls or hanging from ceilings.

Daddy Long Leggers

Most of us can recognize a daddy long legger. This is because their legs are super long. Five to six times the length of the body, they prefer to steer clear of humans. They can usually be found in basements, bathrooms, and under cabinets. They prefer the dark and damp. So be sure that all moisture inside your home is kept to a minimum and keep bathroom floors nice and dry. While they may look like something out of an alien disaster movie, daddy long leggers are not harmful or venomous.

Venomous Spiders Found in Both Florida and Ohio

Brown Recluse

The brown recluse is a brown spider identified by a violin-shaped marking on its body. It is found in 15 different states in climates ranging from our high humidity in Florida to the cooler temperatures of Ohio. The brown recluse likes to hang out in undisturbed areas of your home, such as sheds, basements, crawl spaces, and attics. They are often carried inside the home through boxes, bags, and things brought in from the outside.

Unlike the first three spiders on our list, the brown recluse is venomous. It is one of two venomous spiders found in Ohio. Their bite can cause serious harm, including chills, fever, pain, and damage to the tissue at the bite site. Children are more sensitive to spider bites and may suffer life-threatening reactions. We recommend seeking medical help if you or are loved one finds yourself at the receiving end of a brown recluse bite.

Black Widow

Considered the most dangerous spider in America, the black widow is quite recognizable with its hourglass shape under its abdomen. They may also have red markings going up against their backs. They are considered nocturnal and prefer to stay away from humans and hide in places such as tall grass and shrubs. In the winter, they can be found in garages, mailboxes, and basements. Their webs are typically more messy-looking in appearance than other spiders.

The venom of a black widow is 15 times more severe than the bite of a rattlesnake. Bites can produce muscle aches, nausea, and paralysis of the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe. While there are approximately 2,200 black widow bites a year, according to entomologist Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., an insect research scientist at the University of Florida, there has not been a death reported since 1983. Fortunately, black widow spiders like their privacy, but if you do find yourself on the receiving end of a black widow bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Protect Your Home From Common House Spiders With Help From the Professionals at Land Art

Whether you live in Florida or Ohio, spiders are everywhere. But we can help keep the population in your home down. The professional pest control experts at Land Art have you covered. Our effective perimeter pest control is applied as a barrier around the foundation of your property to control spiders, including those listed above, as well as mosquitoes, stink bugs, fleas, and ticks. Learn more by contacting Land Art via the phone at 1.800.336.5296 or by contacting us here. Allow us to help protect your family, loved ones, and home.