Summertime means spider time

​In Southwest Florida the summer months mean there will be an increase in spider sightings so it is important to know which ones are dangerous.
 
Wolf Spider

• Lives under rocks and in ivy
• Usually brown and 2 inches in length
• Non-venomous but will bite
• No webs. Uses quickness to catch prey

Brown Recluse

• Lives in basements and closets
• Dark brown violin shape on back
• Dangerous bite that can cause a severe allergic reaction

Black Widow

• Lives in woodpiles, barns, under decks and in meter boxes
• Red, hourglass on abdomen
• Not aggressive but venom is reported to be 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake

Daddy Long Legs

• Lives in garages, basements and gardens
• Tiny body, thin, long legs
• Harmless

Spiny Orb Weaver

• Lives in citrus trees and shrubs
• Colorful body, six spines on  back
• Non-poisonous but their egg sacs hold 300 eggs and hatch in two weeks
• Professional removal is imperative

Banana Spider

• Native to warmer regions
• 5 inches in length including legs; yellow
• Timid and nonpoisonous
• Eats mosquitoes, wasps and moths so good to have around

Huntsman

• More than 5 inches long
• Nocturnal
• Eats cockroaches, silverfish and crickets
• Bite is venomous but usually only causes localized pain