Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders, as their name suggests, are very shy and go out of their way to avoid being spotted by humans by hiding in dark dry spaces like boxes and closets. These spiders are found throughout the central and southern United States and possess distinctive violin-like markings on their backs. Though brown recluses will stay out of your way, for the most part, they are not a pest you should allow to set up shop in your home. If provoked, their venomous bite can cause severe tissue damage and even necrosis in severe cases. And with the ability to produce up to 150 spiderlings, a brown recluse invasion is a safety and health hazard.

How to Identify a Brown Recluse

Brown recluse spiders are roughly the size of a U.S. quarter and can be identified by their signature violin-shaped marking on their abdomen, six eyes, and uniform coloration. They build webs—but not for “catching” prey like many other spider species. Instead, they roam and hunt, then bring prey back to their web for feeding.

These spiders are shy, nocturnal creatures that thrive in warm, dry conditions. Brown recluses can be found deep in closets, clothing, dark corners, under furniture, etc. Most often, brown recluse spiders make their way into your home by “hitchhiking” on furniture and inside boxes and can go months without food or water. It doesn’t take much for one brown recluse to become multiple, either. Females only need to mate once to reproduce for a lifetime, producing as many as 150 spiderlings in a year. Meaning, one small spider can quickly become an infestation.

While brown recluses go out of their way to avoid people, they won’t hesitate to bite when handled or threatened. If you experience reddened, itchy skin with a blister around the bite site, you might have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, and you should seek medical treatment immediately. A brown recluse’s venom has the ability to break down tissue, creating a necrotic wound. This can be especially serious and potentially deadly for young children.