They say you are never more than 3 feet away from a spider at all times.

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Go ahead and scan your area, I did as I typed that.

Alabama has more than 500 species of spiders. Some are deadly to us but all benefit the ecosystem of Alabama.

Spider
Zaur Man, YouTube
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Let’s list the top 5 black spiders of Alabama. Some are not only beautiful to look at, from a distance, but can also be very dangerous to us.

Spider
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The number one spider on our list is the Southern Black Widow. These spiders enjoy a dry area to call home. Woodpiles, sheds, garages, and your house are suitable places for her to call home. If you happen to get bitten by a Southern Black Widow, seek medical attention immediately.

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Next, let’s discuss the Northern Black Widow. These spiders call rock piles and forests home. Yet, don’t get a false sense of safety, they have been found in any dark and quiet location…like our homes. The bite from this arachnid should also warrant an immediate visit to a doctor.

Courtesy canr.msu.edu
Courtesy canr.msu.edu
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False Black Widow can look very similar to a Black Widow. Now, don’t let the name give you a false sense of security, if you should get bitten, seek medical attention. These are an adaptable spider that can make their home anywhere. Indoors and outdoors, everywhere is fair game to them.

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The Eastern Parson Spider calls anything ground-level home. Leaf piles, rock piles, and wooded areas are where you can find one of these. They do have venomous bites, but not dangerous to humans.

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Ground Spiders are a smaller spider that calls the ground home, hence their name. They do not spin a web, instead they hunt for their meal actively. Insects beware, this spider has its “eyes” on you. The bite is not dangerous to us. Just clean the area and keep it clean to prevent infection.

Courtesy Australian Museum / Mike Gray
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Okay, one more bonus spider…

I must mention the Black House Spider. This spider is a native of Australia that now calls Alabama home. Considering some of the spiders that call Australia home, I’m happy it’s not one of the giant spiders that they have. See a video of that below.

This spider is thankfully not dangerous to us, but for insects in our homes, they are dangerous. 

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