Southern House Spider
Kukulcania hibernalis
Pest Stats
Color
Females charcoal gray to black. Males khaki to amber with long legs
Size
Females ½ to ¾ inch (13 to 19 mm). Males about ⅜ inch (9 to 10 mm)
Shape
Velvety body. Builds a flat, messy web around a crack or crevice
Region
Throughout Florida, especially around homes and buildings
What is a southern house spider?
The southern house spider is one of the most common spiders around Florida homes. According to UF/IFAS entomologists, the long-legged males are often mistaken for brown recluses. Despite the scary look, this spider is not known to have a dangerous bite, and it eats cockroaches, flies, and other pests around your home.
What do southern house spiders look like?
Females and males look so different that many people think they are two separate species.
- Females are charcoal gray to black, about ½ to ¾ inch long, with a soft, velvety look. They rarely leave their hiding spot.
- Males are smaller, khaki to amber, with very long, slender legs and a brown stripe behind the eyes. They wander, which is why you see them on walls and floors.
- Eyes are the best clue. Southern house spiders have eight eyes clustered together on a small raised bump.
Similar Spiders
Is it a brown recluse? Probably not. A brown recluse has six eyes in three pairs, while the southern house spider has eight eyes clustered together. According to UF/IFAS, there is no evidence of a widespread brown recluse population in Florida.
Where do southern house spiders live?
Southern house spiders live around buildings, which is how they got their name. Females pick a dark crack, build a web at the opening, and stay there. In South Florida homes, look for them in these spots:
- Windowsills and window frames, especially the dark corners
- Shutters and overhangs on the outside of the house
- Eaves and soffits along the roofline
- Gaps between boards in fences, sheds, and garages
- Under objects that rarely move, like planters and outdoor furniture
What do southern house spiders eat?
Southern house spiders eat many of the pests you do not want around your home. According to UF/IFAS, their prey includes house flies, horse flies, mud daubers, cockroaches, and May beetles.
Their webs are not sticky. Instead, the messy tangle of silk catches insects by their legs. That is also why the web often looks dusty and full of debris.
Are southern house spiders dangerous?
No. Southern house spiders are not known to have a dangerous bite, and they are not aggressive toward people.
- Females stay hidden in their cracks and rarely come into contact with people.
- Males wander, but they would rather run than bite.
- According to UF/IFAS, the few reported bites caused pain and swelling that lasted up to two days.
- The biggest worry for most homeowners is mistaking a male for a brown recluse.
Management of southern house spiders
Spraying the walls inside your home rarely solves a spider problem. Southern house spiders hide deep in cracks, and the insects that feed them keep coming back.
At Wise House Pest Control, we focus on what is drawing spiders to your home:
- Correct identification, so you know whether you are dealing with a harmless house spider or something else
- Inspection of windows, eaves, garages, and entry points where spiders hide
- Targeted treatment only where spiders are active, which is safe for families and pets
- Reducing the flies, cockroaches, and other insects that feed them
For homes in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Port St. Lucie, our maintenance plans keep spider and insect activity low all year.
Call us for a free quote and inspection.
Contact Wise House Pest Control at Palm Beach County(561) 727-8239 Treasure Coast(772) 783-4300 for more information and a free quote on spider control services.
6 ways to keep southern house spiders out of your home
Most of these steps take only a few minutes. If spiders keep showing up, a professional can find where they are getting in.
Seal cracks and gaps
Caulk cracks around window frames, gaps under doors, and openings where pipes and cables enter the house.
Keep window screens in good shape
Repair torn screens and make sure they fit tightly. Even a small gap is enough for a wandering male.
Vacuum webs and egg sacs
Vacuum along baseboards, window corners, and under furniture. Each egg sac can hold about 200 eggs, so removing them makes a big difference.
Cut down on outdoor lighting
Lights near windows and doors attract the insects these spiders eat. Use yellow bug lights or motion sensor lights instead.
Check firewood and stored items
Inspect firewood, boxes, and items from the garage or shed for spiders and egg sacs before bringing them inside.
Schedule routine pest control
Regular residential pest control keeps the insects that feed spiders under control, inside and out.
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