Brown Recluse Spiders

What does a brown recluse spider look like?

Brown recluse spiders range in color from light to dark brown and have eight legs and six eyes. A dark brown, violin-shaped marking on their backs sets them apart from other spiders. They typically measure between a quarter inch and half an inch in body length, but their legs extend their overall size to about an inch.

What kind of webs do brown recluse spiders build?

Female brown recluse spiders build irregular webs in out-of-the-way locations. Unlike most spiders, they don’t use their webs to catch prey. Instead, they use them as retreats and places to lay their eggs.

What do brown recluses eat?

Brown recluse spiders eat a variety of bugs, including crickets, roaches, and other insects. As nocturnal hunters, they chase down their prey and inject venom to subdue it.

Are brown recluse spiders dangerous?

Brown recluse spiders are dangerous because they can deliver venomous bites. You might not feel the bite immediately, but a stinging sensation often develops within eight hours.

The greater danger comes from tissue necrosis around the bite. A blister usually forms first, followed by an ulcer as the dead tissue sloughs off.

If a brown recluse spider bites you, seek medical attention promptly.

Will brown recluse spiders “attack” people?

As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders are reclusive. They avoid people and stay away from high-traffic areas. Instead, they prefer hidden, undisturbed spots where they won’t be bothered. In that sense, you don’t need to worry about brown recluse spiders actively attacking you.

However, they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. This usually happens when someone accidentally disturbs them. Since they often hide in storage areas or other secluded places, it's easy to unknowingly reach into a spot where a brown recluse is hiding. If that happens, the spider may bite in self-defense.

How do brown recluse spiders enter homes?

Brown recluse spiders get into homes through small openings. Gaps around windows or doors, cracks in your foundation, and openings around utility lines can all allow brown recluse spiders to access the inside of your house. 

The reasons that brown recluse spiders might come inside can vary. Sometimes they simply get indoors by accident. Other times they are looking for food. They also may move indoors when the weather outside becomes inhospitable to them. 

Once inside, brown recluse spiders are most likely to be found in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and storage areas, but they could move into any undisturbed area. They often hide inside boxes, under clutter, and inside seldom used shoes or clothing.

How do I get rid of brown recluse spiders?

Brown recluse spiders enter homes through small openings. Gaps around windows and doors, cracks in the foundation, and openings around utility lines can all provide access points.

They may come inside for several reasons. Sometimes, they enter by accident. Other times, they’re searching for food or escaping unfavorable weather conditions.

Once indoors, brown recluse spiders tend to settle in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and storage areas—any undisturbed space. They often hide in boxes, beneath clutter, or inside rarely used shoes or clothing.

Can I prevent a brown recluse infestation?

The best way to deal with brown recluse spiders is to prevent them from getting onto your property in the first place. Instead of trying to eliminate them after they arrive, use these prevention tips to stop an infestation before it starts:

• Remove leaf litter and lawn debris from your yard.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
• Keep your grass trimmed and maintain your landscaping.
• Seal cracks in your foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and any other exterior openings.
• Clear clutter from inside your home.
• Schedule regular pest control to reduce the food sources that attract brown recluse spiders.

By staying on top of routine maintenance inside and outside your home, you can lower the risk of a brown recluse spider infestation. Ongoing pest control offers even stronger protection—against both brown recluse spiders and the pests they prey on. Contact The Pied Piper to get started.