If you live in Chattanooga, TN, you have probably seen spiders in your garage, basement, attic, or near woodpiles. Most house spider species are harmless, but some venomous spiders live in the Southeast. Knowing which spiders are dangerous helps you protect your home and family.
In Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, only a few species of spiders are medically significant. Spider bites are rare, but some can cause serious symptoms.
This guide shows how to identify venomous spiders, spot bite symptoms, and know when to get medical attention. It also explains when to call a professional pest control service for your Chattanooga home.
The black widow spider is one of the most well-known venomous spiders in North America. In Tennessee, the southern black widow is the most commonly found species. The northern black widow also lives in parts of the Southeast, including Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
The adult female is shiny black with a bright red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. This red hourglass shape is the easiest way to identify it. Younger spiders may have red spots on their backs.
Black widows prefer quiet areas like garages, crawl spaces, woodpiles, basements, and storage areas. They build loose, tangled spider webs in corners and crevices.
Black widow bites affect the nervous system, causing muscle cramping, stomach pain, sweating, and nausea. Deaths are rare, but black widow bites may require medical attention, especially in children and older adults.
The brown widow is becoming more common in the Southeast, including Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. It is related to the black widow spider but has lighter coloring.
According to the CISR, brown widows often display tan to dark brown coloring with orange or yellow markings, which helps tell them apart from the solid black color of mature black widows.
It also has an hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, but the color is orange or yellow instead of red. Brown widow egg sacs are spiky, while black widow egg sacs are smooth.
Brown widow bites are usually less severe than black widow bites. The spider’s venom can still cause pain and muscle discomfort.
The brown recluse spider is common in Tennessee and Alabama and found across much of the Southeast. Experts from the University of Georgia have also found it in parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
Brown recluse spiders are light to dark brown and have a violin-shaped marking on their back. They prefer dark, quiet areas like attics, basements, crawl spaces, closets, and cluttered storage areas.
Unlike many spiders, they do not rely on large webs to catch prey. Instead, they hide in crevices, cardboard boxes, shoes, and folded clothing.
Brown recluse bites can cause skin damage.
In some cases, necrosis develops, meaning the tissue around the bite area begins to break down. A medical provider should check suspected brown recluse bites, especially if symptoms worsen.
If you are seeing brown recluse spiders inside your home, you should act quickly. We offer targeted brown recluse treatments that include interior and exterior service, monitoring traps, and follow-up visits.
Key Takeaways
Field Guide · Southeast
Venomous spiders in Southeast homes
A handful of spider species in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina can deliver medically significant bites — but most spiders people encounter are lookalikes. Knowing the key ID features keeps you from misidentifying the ones that actually matter.
1Venomous
Southern Black Widow
IDShiny black female with a bright red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen; younger spiders may have red spots on the back
WhereGarages, crawl spaces, woodpiles, basements, and storage corners — anywhere with little foot traffic
NoteVenom affects the nervous system and can cause intense muscle cramping, stomach pain, and nausea. Bites are rare but warrant prompt medical attention, especially for children and older adults.
2Venomous
Brown Recluse
IDLight to dark brown body with a violin-shaped marking on the back, narrow end pointing toward the abdomen; six eyes arranged in pairs (most spiders have eight)
WhereAttics, basements, closets, cardboard boxes, shoes, and folded clothing — hides rather than builds large webs
NoteBites can cause localized skin damage and, in some cases, necrotic tissue breakdown around the bite site. Any suspected bite that worsens should be evaluated by a medical provider.
3Venomous
Brown Widow
IDTan to dark brown body with an orange or yellow hourglass on the abdomen underside; egg sacs are distinctly spiky (black widow egg sacs are smooth)
WhereSimilar to black widow — corners, crevices, garages, and outdoor structures; increasingly common across the Southeast
NoteBites are generally less severe than black widow bites but can still cause localized pain and muscle discomfort. The spiky egg sac is the most reliable field ID clue when the spider itself is not visible.
Waynes has protected Southeast families for 50 years as an EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship member. Every little thing matters. A LOT.
- The southern black widow and brown recluse spiders are the most commonly encountered medically significant spiders in Tennessee.
- These spiders are also common throughout Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
- Most house spider species are harmless lookalikes.
- Waynes Pest Control helps prevent infestations in garages, basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
What to Know: Medically Significant Spiders
One of the most common spider myths is that all spiders are venomous. Only a few venomous spiders in the southeastern United States are medically significant. These species live across North America but are more common in the Southeast.Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider is one of the most well-known venomous spiders in North America. In Tennessee, the southern black widow is the most commonly found species. The northern black widow also lives in parts of the Southeast, including Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
The adult female is shiny black with a bright red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. This red hourglass shape is the easiest way to identify it. Younger spiders may have red spots on their backs.
Black widows prefer quiet areas like garages, crawl spaces, woodpiles, basements, and storage areas. They build loose, tangled spider webs in corners and crevices.
Black widow bites affect the nervous system, causing muscle cramping, stomach pain, sweating, and nausea. Deaths are rare, but black widow bites may require medical attention, especially in children and older adults.
Brown Widow Spider
The brown widow is becoming more common in the Southeast, including Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. It is related to the black widow spider but has lighter coloring.
According to the CISR, brown widows often display tan to dark brown coloring with orange or yellow markings, which helps tell them apart from the solid black color of mature black widows.
It also has an hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, but the color is orange or yellow instead of red. Brown widow egg sacs are spiky, while black widow egg sacs are smooth.
Brown widow bites are usually less severe than black widow bites. The spider’s venom can still cause pain and muscle discomfort.
Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse spider is common in Tennessee and Alabama and found across much of the Southeast. Experts from the University of Georgia have also found it in parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
Brown recluse spiders are light to dark brown and have a violin-shaped marking on their back. They prefer dark, quiet areas like attics, basements, crawl spaces, closets, and cluttered storage areas.
Unlike many spiders, they do not rely on large webs to catch prey. Instead, they hide in crevices, cardboard boxes, shoes, and folded clothing.
Brown recluse bites can cause skin damage.
In some cases, necrosis develops, meaning the tissue around the bite area begins to break down. A medical provider should check suspected brown recluse bites, especially if symptoms worsen.
If you are seeing brown recluse spiders inside your home, you should act quickly. We offer targeted brown recluse treatments that include interior and exterior service, monitoring traps, and follow-up visits.
