Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)

Are There Brown Recluses in South Florida?

Short answer: they aren't established here. The brown recluse's native range is the central and south-central U.S., from areas like Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma east to parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. University of Florida entomologists have documented that confirmed brown recluse finds in Florida are rare, and most come from items moved in from other states.

That doesn't mean you'll never see one. A spider can arrive in a moving box, a piece of furniture, stored holiday decorations or a vehicle from a recluse state. But a single transported spider doesn't mean your home is infested, and the vast majority of brown spiders South Floridians bring to us for identification are something else.

Common Look-alikes in South Florida

• Southern house spider (male): long-legged, tan to brown and frequently mistaken for a recluse. It lives in cracks on walls and around windows, and the females are dark and velvety. It's not considered dangerous.
• Cellar spiders: pale, very long thin legs, in messy webs in corners and garages.
• Wolf spiders: hairy, with stripes and eight eyes. See wolf spider.
• Common house spider: round abdomen and banded legs. See house spider.
• Huntsman spiders: large and flat, with legs spread sideways.

What to Do If You Think You Found One

1. Trap it under a jar or container, or take a clear photo from above.
2. Wear gloves if you need to move it.
3. Call or text us for identification. You can also contact your county extension office.
4. If it was found in boxes or furniture from another state, check the rest of those items in a garage or outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions