Huntsman Spider

Actual Size: 3 to 5 inches (including their leg span)

Characteristics: Long legs with eye-catching black spots, a sleek, flattened body, and a unique black border framing their head

Habitat: They often seek shelter indoors when temperatures drop – so you’ll likely spot one inside your home during winter.

Habits:

Unlike web-spinning spiders, huntsman spiders actively chase and ambush their prey. This makes them excellent at controlling other insect populations in your yard.
They prefer warm, humid outdoor areas during warmer months but may come indoors to escape cold spells.
While still relatively uncommon in the U.S., their presence is growing.

Huntsman Spiders in Florida

Seeing a large spider can be startling. Huntsman spiders are sometimes mistaken for the more dangerous brown recluse – but rest assured, these are two very different spiders.

They have a diverse diet that includes many household pests, such as cockroaches and moths. Some huntsman spiders are even capable of taking down small reptiles and amphibians! While they might give you a fright if you stumble upon one unexpectedly, these efficient predators are actually doing their part to keep your living space free from unwanted critters. This makes them a beneficial presence in and around your home, helping to keep other pest populations in check.

Huntsman Spider Habitat

These adaptable spiders can be found in a variety of environments, both indoors and outdoors. In outdoor settings, you might encounter huntsman spiders hiding under tree bark, lurking in woodpiles, or scurrying around gardens. When it comes to indoor spaces, these eight-legged visitors may seek shelter in houses, barns, sheds, and even cars – they’re particularly fond of warm spaces!

Remember, if they don’t find a warm spot for winter, they typically don’t survive the cold. So seeing one indoors during cooler months is actually a sign of their vulnerability, not aggression.

Huntsman Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Despite their intimidating appearance, they rarely pose a threat to humans. These arachnids are not venomous and generally prefer to avoid confrontation with people. They’re primarily nocturnal, becoming most active during the nighttime hours. Huntsman spiders are also speedy creatures, able to run about as fast as humans. But don’t worry – their speed is reserved for catching their real prey: insects.

While bites from huntsman spiders are uncommon, they can occur if the spider feels threatened. It’s also worth noting that although these bites can be painful, they’re generally not dangerous for most people. However, some individuals may experience allergic reactions. Fortunately, since huntsman spiders are not venomous, severe reactions are quite rare.

While huntsman spiders are generally harmless and even helpful, we understand if you’re not comfortable sharing your space with them. If you think you might have huntsman spiders on your property and would like them relocated, don’t hesitate to call your local spider exterminators.