The brown recluse spider is a venomous spider that is native to the United States. It is known for its violin-shaped marking on its back and is often found in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, basements, and closets. Here is some information about the brown recluse spider that you might find helpful.
Habitat
Brown recluse spiders are found in the central and southern United States, primarily in the Midwest. Indoors, they prefer to live in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, basements, and closets. Outdoors, Brown Recluses may be found under wood piles, crawlspaces, debris, and other undisturbed areas.
Biology Brown recluse spiders are about the size of a quarter, including their legs, and are light to medium brown in color. They have six eyes arranged in three pairs and a violin-shaped marking on their back. Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and feed on insects and other spiders. Like other spiders, the Brown Recluse hatch from an egg. One female spider will lay approximately 40-50 eggs inside of a silken egg sack. They will then go through various molts as they transition into adulthood. It is common to see these molts left behind and mistake them for a live spider.
Hunting Style
Brown recluse spiders do not spin webs to catch their prey. Instead, they hunt by waiting in a dark, undisturbed area for their prey to come to them.
DIY Tips
To prevent brown recluse spiders from entering your home, seal any cracks or crevices around windows, doors, and the foundation of your home. Keep your home clean and free of clutter, especially in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, basements, and closets. Purchase insect monitoring traps (Sticky Traps) and place them in strategic places around the home. This includes along baseboards and underneath furniture.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception about brown recluse spiders is that they are aggressive and will attack humans without provocation. In reality, brown recluse spiders are not aggressive and will only bite if they feel threatened or provoked. Generally, people are bit when putting on shoes or clothes that a Brown Recluse has wandered into. Another common misconception is that brown recluse spiders are found throughout the United States. In fact, they are only found in the central and southern United States. Lastly, only a small percentage of bites turn into a serious medical issue. Although you should always seek treatment if you suspect a Brown Recluse has bitten you.
Brown Recluses can be a serious threat, but with the appropriate knowledge and expertise, these spiders can be managed effectively. If DIY methods are not providing you the results you need give us a call at (270) 564-8077 or fill out our contact form here and we will do an on-site consultation to address the issues.
