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13 Common Spiders in Georgia: Identification and Characteristics

13 Common Spiders in Georgia

Did you know that there are over 45,000 species of spiders in the world, yet only a small fraction pose any danger to humans? In Georgia, United States, where a wide variety of spiders thrive, only two species are venomous enough to be a cause for concern.

Most of the spiders in Georgia you’ll encounter are completely harmless and, in fact, play a vital role in controlling pests and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Georgia is teeming with these misunderstood eight-legged creatures, each with unique traits and behaviors worth exploring.

Want to know more about these fascinating Georgia spiders and which ones to avoid? Keep reading!

1. Black Widow Spiders

Black Widow Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Latrodectus mactans
  • Appearance: Glossy black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen.
  • Habitat: Often found in dark, sheltered areas like woodpiles, garages, and under furniture.
  • Behavior: Known for their potent venom, black widows are not aggressive and only bite when threatened.
  • Danger: One of the two most poisonous spiders in Georgia; bites can cause severe symptoms and require medical attention.

Fun Fact: Their web is irregular and sticky, serving as a trap for unsuspecting prey.

2. Brown Widow Spiders

Brown Widow Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Latrodectus geometricus
  • Appearance: Brown or tan with an orange or yellow hourglass marking on their abdomen.
  • Habitat: Frequently found around human structures, particularly in outdoor furniture and fences.
  • Behavior: Less venomous than black widows, but bites can still cause discomfort.
  • Danger: Venomous but generally less potent than black widows.

Fun Fact: Their egg sacs resemble tiny spiked balls, a distinguishing feature.

3. Brown Recluse Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Loxosceles reclusa
  • Brown Recluse SpidersAppearance: As the name indicates, it’s among one of the brown spiders in Georgia with a violin-shaped marking on their back behind the eyes.
  • Habitat: Prefers undisturbed indoor areas such as closets, basements, and attics.
  • Behavior: Nocturnal, bites are rare but can lead to necrotic wounds requiring medical attention.
  • Danger: Another posionous spider in Gerogia; bites can lead to necrotic skin lesions and require prompt medical care.

Fun Fact: Known as “fiddle-back spiders” due to the violin marking.

4. Common House Spider

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
  • Common House SpiderAppearance: Small, yellow brown with a round and elongated abdomen.
  • Habitat: Found indoors, spinning webs in corners, windows, and ceilings.
  • Behavior: Non-aggressive and beneficial, as they feed on household pests, often go unnoticed due to their small size.
  • Danger: Harmless to humans; known for their messy cobwebs.

Fun Fact: They often abandon their webs to build new ones elsewhere.

5. Wolf Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Lycosidae
  • Appearance: Large, hairy, and brown with distinctive eye patterns.
  • Wolf SpidersHabitat: Found in leaf litter, grass, and occasionally indoors.
  • Behavior: Does not spin webs; instead, it hunts prey actively at night.
  • Danger: Non-venomous; known for carrying their egg sacs and young on their backs.

Fun Fact: Female wolf spiders carry their egg sacs on their bodies and later carry their spiderlings on their backs.

6. Writer Spider/Orb-Weaver Spiders (Yellow Garden Spider)

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Argiope aurantia
  • Appearance: One of the large spiders in Georgia having black and yellow patterned body with long legs.
  • Writer Spider Orb-Weaver Spiders (Yellow Garden Spider)Habitat: Found in gardens, meadows, and forests, spinning large, circular webs.
  • Behavior: Non-aggressive, primarily nocturnal and helpful in controlling garden pests.
  • Danger: Non-venomous; beneficial for controlling insect populations.

Fun Fact: Their webs can reach over a foot in diameter and often feature a zigzag pattern in the center.

7. Granddaddy Longlegs (Harvestmen)

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Opiliones
  • Appearance: Small, round body with extremely long, thin legs.
  • Granddaddy Long Legs (Harvestmen)Habitat: Damp environments like basements and under logs.
  • Behavior: Harmless to humans, feeding primarily on decaying matter and small insects.
  • Danger: Not true spiders; harmless to humans.

Fun Fact: Not true spiders but arachnids, lacking venom glands and silk production.

8. Joro Spider

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Trichonephila clavata
  • Appearance: One of the big spiders in Georgia, bright yellow with blue-black stripes on the body and red markings underside.
  • Joro SpiderHabitat: Thrives in trees, shrubs, and man-made structures, often in urban areas.
  • Behavior: They fly, spins large, intricate webs and is non-aggressive toward humans.
  • Danger: Non-venomous to humans.

Fun Fact: Called as Georgia flying spiders, were first found in 2010 and thought to have originated from Asia.

9. Jumping Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Salticidae
  • Appearance: Small, compact body with large front eyes and vibrant patterns.
  • Habitat: Found in gardens, windowsills, and tree bark.Jumping Spiders
  • Behavior: Active hunters with incredible jumping ability, feeding on insects.
  • Danger: Harmless to humans; their curious behavior makes them interesting to observe.

Fun Fact: Their excellent eyesight allows them to spot and stalk prey like miniature cats.

10. Trapdoor Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Euctenizidae
  • Appearance: Brown, stout body resembling tarantulas but smaller.
  • Habitat: Burrow in soil, creating trapdoors to ambush prey.Trapdoor Spiders
  • Behavior: Shy and rarely seen, only emerging at night to hunt.
  • Danger: Rarely encountered; non-venomous to humans.

Fun Fact: Their burrows are lined with silk for added camouflage and stability.

11. Cellar Spiders

  • Scientific Name/ Family: Pholcidae
  • Appearance: Small body with very long, thin legs; pale coloration.
  • Cellar SpidersHabitat: Basements, attics, and dark corners of homes.
  • Behavior: Spins loose, tangled webs and vibrates when disturbed.
  • Danger: Harmless to humans; often mistaken for “daddy longlegs.”

Fun Fact: Often mistaken for venomous, but their bites pose no danger to humans.

12. Lynx Spider

  • Scientific Name/Family: Oxyopidae
  • Appearance: Slender, light green or yellow bodies with spiny legs
  • Habitat: Found in gardens, shrubs, and fields, often resting on plants.
  • Behavior: Agile hunters that pounce on prey rather than spinning webs.Lynx Spider
  • Danger: Harmless to humans; they help control insect populations.

Fun Fact: Their vibrant coloration provides excellent camouflage among foliage.

13. Crevice Spiders

  • Scientific Name/Family: Filistatidae
  • Appearance: Dark brown or gray with a flattened body, allowing them to fit into tight spaces.
  • Habitat: Found in cracks, crevices, and corners of walls, rocks, or wood structures.Crevice Spiders
  • Behavior: Spins messy, irregular webs to trap prey.
  • Danger: Non-venomous to humans; their bites are rare and typically harmless.

Fun Fact: Related to the brown recluse but lacks the characteristic violin marking.

Take Away – Do I Need Professional Help To Get Rid of Spiders?

Yes, while most spiders are harmless, an infestation can quickly become overwhelming and uncomfortable. DIY methods might not always provide lasting results, and certain species, like the Black Widow or Brown Recluse, require expert handling for safe removal.

At Pest Force, we specialize in effective and eco-friendly spider control solutions tailored to your needs. Our team of professionals ensures your home stays spider-free, giving you peace of mind and a safe, pest-free environment. Don’t let spiders take over—contact Pest Force today for a quick and reliable solution!

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