This page lists 13 spiders.
2 are venomous by official accounts.
Not every species: no complete official list of Kentucky spiders exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Which spiders can hurt you
Official sources single out these spiders in Kentucky, in their own words:
Venomous. “Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but the spider is timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. Black widows are common all over Kentucky.” University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
“Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but the spider is timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. Black widows are common all over Kentucky.” University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
Venom: “Only a few species, such as the black widow and the brown recluse, have venom that is very toxic or harmful to humans.” (University of Kentucky Department of Entomology)
Habitat: They tend to occur in concealed outdoor locations: piles of rocks, piles of firewood, and dark corners of garages and out-buildings. (University of Kentucky Department of Entomology)
Body about 7 to 12 mm (about 3/8 inch); females average about 9 mm and males about 8 mm. UC IPM says a recluse body is not more than 3/8 inch long.
How to recognize it
Six equal-sized eyes in three pairs. UC IPM calls this the most definitive feature, since most spiders have eight eyes.
The violin mark alone is not a reliable way to identify it
UC IPM's five-point check: six eyes in pairs, evenly colored finely haired abdomen, no spines on the legs, evenly colored legs, body no more than 3/8 inch
Venom: “Only a few species, such as the black widow and the brown recluse, have venom that is very toxic or harmful to humans.” (University of Kentucky Department of Entomology)
Habitat: They tend to occur in hidden locations indoors and outdoors: piles of cardboard or paper, stacks of cut wood, and wall-voids of buildings. (University of Kentucky Department of Entomology)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Yellow Sac Spider
Yellow Sac Spider
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
When spiders are active in Kentucky
Records of spiders in Kentucky peak in May and July to September. They show when people record spiders, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
1,800 records of spiders in Kentucky by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from University of Kentucky Department of Entomology:
Spider bite: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (or 911). Black widow and brown recluse bites are very serious and need immediate medical attention. University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
About this list
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
Sources
Snakes (Snakes of Kentucky). Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). archived copy, captured August 27, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Urban Spider Chart (Entfact supplement). University of Kentucky Department of Entomology (Cooperative Extension). Issued: 1/10; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but the spider is timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. Black widows are common all over Kentucky.”
“Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but the spider is timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. [HRSA: "If you or someone you know has been bitten by a spider, call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222)"]”
