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Brown Recluse Facts and Prevention

By: EarthKind

What would you do if you came across poisonous spiders in your home? It sounds like a horror movie plot, but it’s a possibility that people need to be aware of and work to prevent it in their own house. 

Brown recluse spiders, also known as Loxosceles Reclusa, are a common concern for homeowners, especially in the Midwest and south-central areas of the United States. Their venomous bite can lead to necrotic skin lesions and anyone who has been bitten should seek medical attention. This makes it essential for homeowners to understand and implement effective spider control methods to help avoid this situation.

Although brown recluses have a venomous bite, they aren’t aggressive by nature and play an important role in the ecosystem. All the same, they probably don’t make good roommates!

What Does a Brown Recluse Look Like?

A typical brown recluse has the following characteristics:

  • Also known as violin spiders or fiddleback spiders, they have a violin-shaped marking on their back.
  • They are light tan to dark brown in color.
  • They are roughly the size of a quarter and their body length maxes out at 3/8″.
  • Their legs have consistent color and fine hairs.
  • Legs do not have spines.
  • They have six (6) eyes, as compared to most spiders which have eight (8) eyes.

Brown recluses prefer to scavenge dead or dying insects rather than hunt live prey. As the name would suggest, they are generally shy, reclusive spiders, but do tend to live in groups or clusters. Where there is one, there are many! 

Brown Recluse vs. Wolf Spider

close up of a brown recluse spider
close up of a wolf spider
Brown Recluse Spider Wolf Spider

It’s easy to confuse the brown recluse with wolf spiders. While both have similar coloration, the violin mark and the six-eye arrangement differentiate the brown recluse from the other type of spider.

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Where Do They Live?

Brown recluse spiders are native to the United States, particularly in the Midwest and south-central regions, including states such as Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. While not as densely populated as the Midwest or south-central regions, brown recluses can also be found in parts of the southeastern U.S.

It’s worth noting that while brown recluses have a specific range, they can occasionally be found outside these areas, especially if they hitch a ride in moving boxes or vehicles. However, such occurrences are rare, and the spiders don’t typically establish populations outside their native range.

In addition to the U.S., there are related species of the Loxosceles genus found in other parts of the world, but the brown recluse is specific to North America.

Once they find their way into a home, Brown Recluses prefer dark, secluded areas. Common hiding places where you may find them inside homes and structures include:

  • Garages
  • Closets
  • Woodpiles
  • Basements
  • Attics
  • Crevices
  • Storage areas
  • Crawl spaces

They also tend to live in groups or clusters, so spotting one might indicate a potential infestation.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Symptoms

Bites from other spiders that aren’t dangerous may lead to minor skin irritation. If bitten by a Brown Recluse, one might experience:

  • A blister at the bite site
  • Pain or itching within 2 to 8 hours
  • Ulcers or necrotic skin at the bite site
  • Fever, chills, and body aches

Can A Bite Kill You?

A brown recluse bite is unlikely to be fatal for a healthy adult. However, the venom can cause significant local tissue damage, leading to a necrotic wound that can take weeks or even months to heal. 

In rare cases, especially in children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems, the venom can cause systemic reactions that might be more severe. Severe symptoms can include fever, kidney failure, liver damage, gangrene, and coma. Some people might also be allergic to the venom of a recluse, which can be extremely dangerous.

While death from a brown recluse bite is extremely rare, it’s essential to seek medical attention if bitten to prevent complications and ensure proper wound care.

Natural Spider Control and Prevention Methods

Knowing what types of conditions brown recluses and other arachnids prefer will help you make your home uninviting to spiders. Here is advice to make indoor and outdoor areas less spider-friendly around your home:

  • Keep the outside perimeter of your home free of tall grass and thick vegetation, especially near the foundation.
  • Always check items that have been stored outside, in sheds, or in garages for spiders and egg sacs before bringing them indoors.
  • Make sure potential entry points such as doors, windows, and screens are all properly fitted and tightly sealed. Seal cracks with caulk.
  • Regularly clean storage areas, remove clutter and avoid leaving clothes and other household items on the floor.

Also, take steps to prevent other common household pests, such as cockroaches, termites, ants, or moths, as these can supply a food source for spiders. Preventing spiders in the home is easier than getting rid of them because spider poison is only effective if it is applied directly to the spider. Unlike other insects, spiders will not be affected by simply walking across poison that has been previously applied. 

After you have made sure your home is uninviting to spiders, go the extra mile and use a botanical spider repellent like Stay Away® Spiders to prevent future infestations.

MESSAGE FROM EarthKind®:

Treatment of a poisonous spider infestation like Brown Recluse should be handled by a professional pest control service. They are very difficult to treat. Once your spider problem is under control, our products can help in preventing future infestations. 

Our CEO has been bitten twice by a brown recluse spider and fortunately survived. It’s one of the reasons she developed this product to prevent spiders (by repelling their prey) from taking up residence in a home. Please let us know if we can provide a PMP referral for you in your area.

 

8 thoughts on “Brown Recluse Facts and Prevention

  1. Meagan says:

    I’m pretty sure that I have a nest somewhere outside. Anytime I get into my car there seems to be five or more crawling around on my car. Any chance I can get rid of these things or at least keep them from crawling all over my car every night.

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Meagan,

      Oh no, that sounds very stressful! Getting rid of spiders outside can be especially challenging, but you can start by keeping a couple pouches of Stay Away Spiders in your car to make sure they don’t go inside. Feel free to give us a call if you need help finding the product locally, or ideas of where to place the pouches.

      Thanks for reading!

  2. Sarah says:

    So I found a brown recluse in my apartment. Are there more? I haven’t seen any besides this one single spider. I got a couch from a lady and it was in her basement, but that was about a month ago.

    Also foes cinnamon prevent recluses? My apartment owners exterminator are very lazy at what they do, and my apartment owner refuses to get another pest control man. What do I do?

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Sarah,

      It’s difficult to say whether or not there may be more than one spider, but as the name suggests, recluses are reclusive and generally prefer to be left alone. The best way to prevent spiders is to make sure there are no sources of prey (meaning other insects) in the area. I have heard of cinnamon being used to create a barrier that ants won’t cross, but I’m not sure about spiders. The trouble with a method like that is that it won’t last very long and you’ll end up reapplying the cinnamon often. If you are dealing with a dangerous spider like brown recluse, it is a good idea to consult a pest control professional. For added peace of mind, keep a pouch of Stay Away Spiders in any places you have seen spiders, and other areas you wish to protect.

      Thanks for reading!

  3. Kelli Mazzuca says:

    Is there someone in my area that treats for Brown Recluse?? West chicago IL
    60185
    Already confirmed that’s what we have in our home. I’m pretty scared.

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Kelli,
      As their name suggests, recluse spiders are reclusive and would rather be left alone than bother people. We totally understand not wanting to live alongside these spiders, but try not let it stress you out too much. For professional pest control help, we’d recommend finding a local, licensed expert by using the National Pest Management Association’s resource: https://www.pestworld.org/find-local-exterminators/ Once the problem has been resolved, keeping a couple pouches of Stay Away Spiders in your home will help prevent reinfestation.
      Thanks for reading!

  4. Tim says:

    What about finding one in a car? I put essential oils, ammonia, in the car, and left the windows cracked so they, if there are anymore, can leave.

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Tim, Please be careful using chemicals like ammonia since you will have to inhale that scent and chemical the next time you’re in the car. Leaving the windows open is probably a good idea for your health, but you could inadvertently let other pests in. The spiders should leave the same way they got in once you’ve made the environment unpleasant for them by adding a scent-based repellent. Thanks for reading!

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