Huntsman spiders are fast, palm-sized arachnids common in Florida homes. They aren’t venomous or aggressive. They’re most active at night, don’t spin webs, and often enter homes seeking warmth during Florida’s cooler months.
These spiders are Florida’s largest, with leg spans reaching up to 6 inches. They’re known to hunt roaches, moths, and even small lizards using their strong jaws, not venom. While sightings are rare for some, others report regular encounters in garages, closets, and even inside vehicles. Though their presence often triggers panic, they pose little threat to humans or pets, and may even help reduce other pest populations indoors.
Still, their speed and unexpected appearances can be unsettling. If you’re unsure whether to remove or relocate one, or if you’re seeing them too often, Hoffer Pest Solutions offers spider control services designed for South Florida homes. We’ll help you stay safe, informed, and spider-free without disrupting your peace of mind.
Want to know exactly what huntsman spiders look like, how to tell them apart from dangerous species, and what to do if you see one? Keep reading, we break it all down below.
What Is a Huntsman Spider? And Why Florida Residents Keep Seeing Them
Huntsman spiders may be the last thing you want to see sprinting across your garage floor, but if you live in Florida, sightings are becoming more common. The most frequently encountered species in the state is Heteropoda venatoria, commonly known as the pantropical huntsman spider. Originally native to Asia, this species has successfully established itself in Florida’s warm, humid environment, particularly in South Florida, where mild winters and year-round moisture make ideal conditions for its survival.
Huntsman spiders are members of the Sparassidae family, instantly recognizable by their wide, flattened bodies and laterigrade (sideways-jointed) legs that give them a crab-like appearance. With leg spans reaching up to six inches across, they’re often mistaken for tarantulas or brown recluses, but they’re a completely different species both in appearance and behavior.
Part of the confusion stems from their coloring. Huntsman spiders typically have tan to brown bodies, which can resemble that of a recluse at first glance. However, huntsman spiders are much larger, lack the violin-shaped marking, and are non-venomous to humans. Others mistakenly refer to them as “banana spiders,” a name that’s often incorrectly used for several unrelated species in Florida.
Sightings have increased in recent years due to their ability to adapt to indoor environments, especially during colder months. As more Floridians store holiday decorations, gardening tools, or moving boxes in garages and sheds, they unknowingly provide the perfect shelter for these speedy arachnids. Combined with their knack for sneaking in through cracks, vents, and even delivery boxes, it’s no surprise locals are finding them in unexpected places.
If you've spotted one, you're not necessarily in danger. But it's worth knowing how to identify them and know when it’s time to take action. That’s what we’ll explore next.
Huntsman Spider Identification Guide
If you've ever turned on a light and spotted a spider the size of your hand darting across the room, you might have just met a huntsman. These spiders are not only Florida’s largest arachnids, but also some of the most misunderstood. Correctly identifying them can ease fears and prevent unnecessary extermination of a beneficial insect hunter.
Key Features to Look For
Florida’s most common huntsman species, Heteropoda venatoria, is known for its intimidating size. Adults can stretch out to a leg span of 5 to 6 inches, larger than a smartphone. Despite their size, they have a flat, low-profile body that allows them to squeeze into tight spaces like door frames, vents, and even behind wall hangings.
Their coloration is typically a mix of tan, brown, and grey, helping them blend into both natural and indoor environments. One of their most distinguishing features is the black border around the cephalothorax (head region) and dark spots along the legs. Some individuals have a faint “mustache” marking just above their fangs, which can help with identification.
Males and females can look quite different. Males are thinner, more agile, and have noticeably longer legs with dark striping. Females, on the other hand, appear heavier-bodied and tend to have broader, banded legs with muted coloring.
Huntsman vs. Recluse vs. Tarantula
Many Florida homeowners initially mistake huntsman spiders for either brown recluses or tarantulas, two very different creatures.
The brown recluse, while medically significant, is rarely found in Florida and is much smaller. Its most recognizable feature is the violin-shaped marking on its back and a set of six eyes arranged in a semi-circle (as opposed to the huntsman’s eight eyes arranged in two rows). Huntsman spiders lack this marking entirely.
Tarantulas, though similar in hairiness and leg thickness, are usually more compact and don’t appear flat or crab-like. Tarantulas are also much less common indoors in Florida, and they move more slowly compared to the lightning-fast scurry of a huntsman.
One more thing: if you catch a spider in your flashlight beam and its eyes reflect blue, you’re likely dealing with a huntsman. Their eye structure and angle often produce a vivid, telltale glow in low light.
By learning these visual cues, Florida residents can make quick, accurate identifications, knowing whether the spider in question is a helpful hunter or a more dangerous lookalike.
Where Do Huntsman Spiders Live in Florida?
One of the most unnerving things about huntsman spiders is how they seem to appear out of nowhere. In reality, these spiders are incredibly stealthy and strategic about where they hide, both indoors and outdoors. Knowing their favorite hiding spots can help Florida residents avoid surprise encounters and make better decisions about prevention and control.
Indoors
When huntsman spiders find their way inside, they’re not interested in building webs in the corners of your ceiling. Instead, they seek out quiet, undisturbed areas where they can hunt in peace. Common indoor hiding places include:
Closets and storage cabinets: Dark and infrequently accessed, these spaces offer ideal cover.
Garages and attics: Especially if cluttered with boxes or yard equipment, garages are a favorite for overwintering.
Behind wall hangings or furniture: Their flat bodies allow them to press into tight crevices where they remain hidden during the day.
Ceilings and air vents: Despite not building webs, huntsman spiders are skilled climbers and often mistaken for web builders when spotted above eye level.
Their entry points are just as sneaky. They frequently make their way in through dryer vents, gaps around utility boxes, cracked window frames, and even doors that are left slightly ajar. Because they can flatten their bodies, even a small opening can serve as an entryway.
Outdoors
In natural settings, huntsman spiders gravitate toward bark crevices, palm fronds, under rocks, and within firewood piles. Their coloring makes them hard to spot against tree trunks or patio furniture, especially when resting during daylight hours.
They also tend to shelter in places that offer stable temperatures and protection from predators, like storage bins, toolboxes, or even unused vehicles. During Florida’s colder months, they often migrate indoors for warmth or hitch a ride inside through:
Holiday decorations stored in sheds
Amazon or moving boxes brought in from garages
Houseplants or outdoor tools temporarily relocated indoors
This is why so many people report seeing huntsman spiders around the holidays or during home renovations. It’s not that they’re actively seeking people out, it’s that we often unknowingly invite them in.
If you're repeatedly spotting them indoors, especially during the winter, it may be a sign of a larger pest pathway issue that needs addressing. Hoffer Pest Solutions can inspect your property for common entry points and offer spider exclusion services to keep these uninvited guests outside where they belong.
Are Huntsman Spiders Dangerous or Venomous?
Despite their alarming size and speed, huntsman spiders in Florida are not venomous to humans and pose virtually no medical risk. Unlike the more infamous brown recluse or black widow, the bite of a huntsman spider carries zero clinical significance for the average person. They don’t carry venom potent enough to endanger human health, and there are no recorded deaths from huntsman spider bites in the United States.
In the rare cases where bites do occur, it’s typically because the spider was cornered, handled, or stepped on. The result? A brief, sharp pain, often compared to a bee sting, followed by mild redness or swelling. While some sensitive individuals may experience minor allergic reactions, these cases are uncommon and usually don’t require medical attention.
So why do they inspire such panic? Simply put: their size. When a spider with a leg span larger than your hand sprints across your kitchen floor, your brain is wired to assume danger, even when there isn’t any. But rest assured, their non-aggressive nature means they’d rather flee than fight.
If you're unsure whether the spider in your home is harmless or worth worrying about, call us and we can provide you peace of mind with identification and humane removal services tailored to Florida residents.
Do Huntsman Spiders Bite? Can They Harm Pets or Children?
Huntsman spiders are equipped with strong, crab-like jaws, not for biting people, but for subduing prey like cockroaches, moths, and even small reptiles. When it comes to humans, bites are rare and almost always the result of accidental contact, like putting on a shoe they’ve crawled into or brushing against them while reaching into a storage box.
Their bite may cause brief mechanical pain due to the force of their jaws, but again, no venomous threat exists for humans.
What about pets or small children?
The good news is that cats, dogs, or toddlers who come into contact with a huntsman spider are highly unlikely to be harmed.
If a pet eats one (which happens more often than you'd think), there’s typically no cause for alarm. The spider’s body doesn’t contain toxins dangerous to dogs or cats. That said, ingestion can sometimes cause minor digestive upset, so it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out.
For young children, the concern is more behavioral than medical. Kids are naturally curious, and reaching for or stepping on a large spider can result in a bite. While it won’t be dangerous, it can be unpleasant. That’s why it’s best to discourage direct contact and teach children how to safely avoid and report spider sightings.
Worried about what’s lurking behind the storage bins or under the couch?
Hoffer Pest Solutions offers spider-specific inspections and child-safe treatment plans to keep your family and furry friends protected year-round.
How Fast and Aggressive Are They?
It’s easy to assume that something moving at lightning speed is chasing you, especially when it has eight legs and a leg span wider than your palm. But rest assured: huntsman spiders are not aggressive. They have no interest in confronting humans and will almost always choose escape over engagement.
That said, their blistering speed, comparable to a human jog, can give the impression that they’re charging at you. In reality, they’re either fleeing to safety or zeroing in on prey, not launching an attack. Their crab-like sideways scurry and ability to climb walls only add to their drama-filled entrances.
Many homeowners report a kind of “jump scare” when a huntsman bursts out from behind a curtain or dashes across the floor. This is one of the most common reasons people fear them, not because they’ve been bitten, but because the spider's unpredictable motion triggers a fight-or-flight response.
What Do Huntsman Spiders Eat? And Why You Might Want to Keep Them
Before reaching for the bug spray, it’s worth asking: Is this spider actually helping me out?
In many cases, the answer is yes. Huntsman spiders are natural pest controllers, known for preying on:
Cockroaches
Moths
Silverfish
Palmetto bugs
And even small lizards or geckos
Unlike most household spiders, they don’t build webs. They rely on stealth, speed, and strong jaws to chase down prey, usually at night, when you’re least likely to see them in action. Their diet often overlaps with some of the most stubborn pests Florida homeowners face.
That’s why some residents view huntsman spiders as “silent allies.” By keeping other infestations in check, they might actually reduce your need for pesticides or frequent extermination.
Of course, not everyone wants a palm-sized spider patrolling their walls at 2 a.m. If you’d prefer the benefits of pest control without the eight-legged houseguest, Hoffer Pest Solutions offers eco-conscious pest management programs that target both spiders and their prey, keeping your home pest-free and your nerves intact.
What to Do If You See One in Your Florida Home
Spotting a huntsman spider indoors can be a jarring experience. But once you’ve confirmed it’s not a dangerous species, the next question is: What should you actually do about it?
Leave It or Remove It?
Believe it or not, you don’t always have to take action. If the spider is perched quietly near the ceiling or tucked into a corner away from foot traffic, there’s a good chance it will move on without causing any issues. Huntsman spiders are not territorial, they don’t stick around unless they find a steady food supply.
If you do want to remove it, the safest method is simple:
Use a large cup or glass and a sturdy piece of cardboard to gently trap and transport it outside.
Guide it with a broom toward an exit if it’s more active or in a hard-to-reach spot.
Avoid squashing them. Not only is it messy due to their size, but it’s also unnecessary. Huntsman spiders aren’t a threat, and killing them removes a natural pest controller from your home.
When to Call a Professional
While a single sighting doesn’t usually signal an infestation, there are situations where it makes sense to bring in help:
You’re seeing multiple huntsman spiders over a short period.
You’ve spotted a spider with an egg sac or baby spiders.
You suspect a broader pest problem that’s attracting spider activity.
Someone in the household suffers from arachnophobia, making DIY removal stressful or unsafe.
When Should You Really Worry? And Why Most Fears Are Overblown
For most Floridians, the scariest thing about a huntsman spider is the moment you first lay eyes on it. With legs that stretch wider than your palm and the ability to sprint across a room in seconds, it’s no wonder people instinctively panic. But while that fear response is natural, the actual threat these spiders pose is close to zero.
Huntsman spiders are non-aggressive, non-venomous, and far more interested in hunting insects than interacting with people. Yet for those who suffer from arachnophobia, even the knowledge that they’re harmless often isn’t enough to calm the nerves. In fact, some people describe the experience of trying to kill one as traumatic, not just because of the size, but because of the stress and guilt that comes with harming a living creature.
And let's be honest: no one should have to live in fear in their own home.
Whether you're dealing with one rogue huntsman or can’t sleep because you think there might be more, professional help is available to restore peace of mind.
Why Florida Trusts Hoffer Pest Solutions for Spider Removal
We’ve been helping South Florida homeowners handle spider sightings, both expected and unexpected, for over 40 years. Our local team understands the climate, the seasonal patterns, and the most common entry points for pests like huntsman spiders.
Here’s why Florida residents choose us:
Same-day service when you call before noon
Friendly, trained technicians who know how to identify and remove spiders safely
Eco-friendly, humane treatment options available for clients who prefer non-lethal solutions
Guaranteed results backed by decades of local trust
Ongoing prevention plans to stop spiders and other pests before they get inside
We don’t just treat the symptom, we help you fix the source. Whether that’s sealing entry points, removing prey species, or advising on proper storage habits, we offer complete spider control tailored to your needs.
Need help now? Contact Hoffer Pest Solutions for fast, effective spider removal in Florida.
Huntsman Spiders in Florida Aren’t Out to Get You, But You Don’t Have to Live With Them
The next time you see a huntsman spider on the wall, it’s not out to hurt you. It’s not poisonous, it doesn’t want to bite, and chances are, it’s actually helping keep your home free of roaches and moths.
Still, that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it.
Whether you’re a “trap and release” type or want guaranteed removal and prevention, you deserve to feel safe in your own space. And if a spider the size of your hand is standing between you and that sense of comfort, Hoffer Pest Solutions is ready to help.
We combine experience, compassion, and science to deliver results, and peace of mind. Let us handle the spiders, so you can get back to enjoying your Florida home without fear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can they jump?
No. Huntsman spiders do not jump like some other spider species. They rely on their speed and agility to escape threats and hunt down prey.
Are they territorial?
Not in the traditional sense. While they might linger in an area with a good food supply, they don’t claim territory or defend it from others.
Do they drop from ceilings?
Yes. Huntsman spiders are excellent climbers and can descend from ceilings or crawl across walls. This behavior sometimes causes surprise encounters.
Can they reproduce indoors?
It’s possible, but extremely rare. Huntsman spiders don’t thrive in indoor environments long-term, and most sightings involve solitary adults, not breeding populations.
Are traps effective?
Most common traps, like glue boards, are ineffective against huntsman spiders. Their speed and size allow them to avoid or escape from sticky surfaces, making professional control the more reliable option.