Spiders · SWFL Pest Identifier
Southern Black Widow
Worth a pro look Damage or health risk grows quickly once established.
How to identify it
- Glossy jet black, red hourglass underneath
- Messy, strong, low web in undisturbed corners
- Hides by day, hangs upside down at night
Size
Small (grain of rice)
Where you'll see it
Garage / storage · Lanai / patio
Looks like
Spider
Did you know
Bites are rare and defensive — nearly all happen when a hand reaches blind into her hiding spot.
What it means for you
The one Florida spider worth professional attention when found where kids or pets play.
Not sure this is your bug?
Text a photo and a licensed local tech will identify it for free — or run it through the interactive identifier.
Similar spiders in SWFL
Golden Silk Orb-weaver
Helpful — leave itBig yellow-and-silver spider in a huge wheel web across paths
Wolf Spider
Helpful — leave itNo web — hunts on the ground at speed
Huntsman Spider
Helpful — leave itVery large, flat, long-legged — fits behind picture frames
Brown Widow
Keep an eye on itTan-brown with an orange hourglass underneath
Dealing With This One?
Get a real price online in about 60 seconds — or text us a photo first and we'll tell you honestly whether it even needs treatment.