Brown Recluse Spiders

What do brown recluse spiders look like?

Brown recluse spiders are quite small. A full-grown recluse ranges from .24 to .79 of an inch in length. For perspective, a U.S. quarter has a diameter of .955 inches. For this reason, you may have trouble seeing the most important visual characteristic that will help you tell brown recluse spiders from other brown spiders: the dark brown violin marking on the back. The second most helpful visual trait is the lack of visible hairs. If you see a hairy, brown spider, it isn’t a brown recluse.

What do brown recluse spiders eat?

Crawling insects are the dietary staple of brown recluse spiders. They hunt their prey, spring on them, and inject venom to subdue them. When considering where you might find a brown recluse spider, consider locations where crawling insects are active. 

Where do brown recluse spiders live?

These spiders live up to their name. They prefer to live the life of a recluse. They typically are found hiding in undisturbed locations far from human traffic. Outdoors, look for them in woodpiles, around logs, under the bark of trees, or in a pile of dead branches. Indoors, look for them in storage rooms and attic spaces. But keep in mind that they may establish themselves inside wall voids, where you can’t see their webbing.

Are brown recluse spiders dangerous?

The brown recluse has earned a bad reputation, but it isn’t entirely warranted. Here’s what you need to know:

• Brown recluse spiders have necrotic venom and are capable of causing wounds with spreading damage to skin tissue.
• We recommend seeking immediate medical attention and letting your healthcare provider monitor the wound, but you needn’t immediately fear the worst.
• Most brown recluse spider bites only result in an irritating wound with an ulcer at the center.
• Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive. They prefer to retreat when disturbed.
• Brown recluse spiders typically live in undisturbed locations far from humans.

You can take steps to significantly reduce your chances of being bitten. Use caution when grabbing items out of storage, moving beds away from walls, positioning them so they’re not under ceiling vents, and picking up dirty laundry off the floor.

In most cases, these spiders are not considered dangerous, particularly when infestations are dealt with quickly. However, the danger rises as they grow an indoor population. 

How can I tell if I have brown recluse spiders?

The easiest way to tell that you have a brown recluse spider problem is to inspect your attic, storage rooms, and other undisturbed locations. Look for the presence of thin, tangled webbing near the floor. You may also see spider activity. Use the description above to help you identify the spiders you find.

What does a brown recluse spider bite look like?

It is possible to get a brown recluse spider bite and not realize it. If you wake up with a bite on your skin, a few visual characteristics may help you identify the bite.

• Over time, the wound will turn red and become irritated.
• The area around the bite may decay and become a necrotic lesion or an ulcer. If an ulcer develops, it can result in a scar.
• If a brown recluse bites you, you will likely only have one wound. The appearance of several wounds is evidence of another kind of biting pest, rather than a spider.

Take the steps outlined above to reduce the risk of a brown recluse spider bite if you believe you have these arachnids in your home. For confirmation of a brown recluse spider infestation, contact Termio Pest Control for service in our Arizona service area. 

How do brown recluse spiders get into homes?

These spiders can get into a home from the outdoors. They can also hitchhike into a home from another indoor infestation. Here’s how this works:

• They may hunt for prey near your exterior and get in through a gap around your exterior door.
• They may hide behind an outdoor AC unit or landscape vegetation and enter through a gap around the AC line.
• They may find a structural cavity near the ground and climb up inside. If the hole leads into your wall void, they can come indoors.
• They may hitch a ride in a box or luggage brought into your home by a guest or roommate.
• They may hitch a ride in used furniture and other used household items.

Brown recluse spiders will follow their prey. If you have a pest problem in your home, a spider problem is likely to follow.

How do I get rid of brown recluse spiders?

If you suspect brown recluse spider activity in your home, contact Termio Pest Control for assistance. Our local pest control specialists will inspect your home to confirm the presence of these venomous spiders and develop a treatment place to eradicate them. 

How do I prevent brown recluse spiders? 

Use the following steps to reduce spider populations and deter spiders from entering your home:

• Replace old weather-proofing materials.
• Install pest-proofing materials, such as expanding foam and caulk.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Install vent caps.
• Install weephole protectors.
• Trim vegetation next to your home.
• Remove organic clutter that is next to your home.
• Remove junk piles from your yard.
• Store dead branches and sticks in a bin rather than leaving them on the ground.
• Replace exterior white lights with yellow, insect-resistant lighting.
• Keep the interior of your home as clean as possible.