Notable concerns
- Southern black widow
- Brown recluse
- Brown widow (Gulf Coast)
Medically significant species in Alabama
| Species | Scientific | Significance | Range note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Recluse | Loxosceles reclusa | Medically significant | Verified by Vetter (2008) county-level specimen review. Reports outside this range are almost always misidentifications; an estimated 80% of submitted 'brown recluses' from non-range states are other species. |
| Southern Black Widow | Latrodectus mactans | Medically significant | Southeastern United States, from southern New York to Florida, west through Texas and into |
| Brown Widow | Latrodectus geometricus | Moderate | First documented in Florida in 1935; major range expansion across the U.S. South began in the 2000s. Continues to displace L. mactans in southern California urban habitats. |
| Yellow Sac Spider | Cheiracanthium inclusum | Moderate | Throughout the continental United States and southern Canada. |
All documented species in this index
Species below are present in Alabama according to extension publications and the rangeStates records in our species index. Click through for full profiles.
- Brown Recluse - Loxosceles reclusa (Medically significant)
- Southern Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans (Medically significant)
- Brown Widow - Latrodectus geometricus (Moderate)
- Yellow Sac Spider - Cheiracanthium inclusum (Moderate)
- Joro Spider - Trichonephila clavata (Not medically significant)
- Common House Spider - Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Low)
- Wolf Spider - Lycosidae (family overview) (Low)
- Cellar Spider - Pholcus phalangioides (Not medically significant)
- Bold Jumping Spider - Phidippus audax (Low)
- Yellow Garden Spider - Argiope aurantia (Not medically significant)
- Golden Silk Orb Weaver - Trichonephila clavipes (Low)
- Grass Spider - Agelenopsis spp. (Not medically significant)
- Southern House Spider - Kukulcania hibernalis (Low)
Seasonal activity in Alabama
Spider activity in Alabama follows the documented peak season of April–October. Indoor sightings often spike in late summer and early fall as males wander to find mates and as cooling outdoor temperatures push synanthropic species toward heated structures.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Highlighted months reflect the state extension peak-activity window. Individual species (especially indoor recluse populations) may be active outside this range.
Prevention checklist for Alabama homes
- Seal exterior gaps wider than 1/8 inch around utility penetrations, dryer vents, and weep holes. Install door sweeps on garage and basement entries.
- Reduce harborage by storing firewood, lumber, and seldom-used boxes off the ground and at least 18 inches from foundation walls.
- In recluse-active areas, inspect stored clothing, bedding, and shoes before use. Sticky monitor traps placed along baseboards quantify indoor density.
- For widow-active areas, wear gloves when handling outdoor electrical boxes, irrigation valves, and stacked materials. Widows favor undisturbed voids.
- Vacuum webs, egg sacs, and spiders rather than spraying. Mechanical removal outperforms most over-the-counter residual sprays for synanthropic species.
If you are bitten
Nearby states in the Southeast region
- Spiders of Arkansas - peak activity april–october
- Spiders of Florida - peak activity year-round
- Spiders of Georgia - peak activity april–november
- Spiders of Kentucky - peak activity april–october
- Spiders of Louisiana - peak activity year-round
- Spiders of Mississippi - peak activity year-round
- Spiders of North Carolina - peak activity april–october
- Spiders of South Carolina - peak activity year-round
Sources
- [1]Alabama spider identification - Alabama Cooperative Extension. Accessed 2026-06-14.
- [2]Spiders and scorpions submitted as suspected brown recluse - Vetter RS, 2008. Accessed 2026-06-14.