Brown Recluse Spiders

What do brown recluse spiders look like?

Have you spotted a brown recluse spider in your home? There is a chance it isn't a brown recluse but some other type of arachnid.

Here are a few identifying features to consider:

• Brown recluses are small spiders. A full-grown adult brown recluse can sit on a quarter, with its legs extending slightly past the edges.

• Brown recluses have dark violin-shaped marks on their backs, with the violin frets pointing toward the spiders' ends.

• A brown recluse has a tube-like body and long, thin legs.

• A brown recluse is visibly hairless. If you see a hairy brown spider, it is likely a wolf spider.

These identifying traits are all you'll need. If you want an expert opinion, contact Marathon Pest Control for a service visit or send us a picture.

What attracts brown recluse spiders?

Brown recluse spiders like dark and secluded spaces that provide ample food options. When one of these spiders explores your exterior, it will get underneath a deck, porch, or stairs. It will also crawl around in your landscaping. Once inside, it will stay in wall voids or gravitate to secluded rooms such as a storage room or attic. 

Do brown recluse spiders build webs?

Brown recluse spiders are hunter spiders. They don't make webs to catch their prey, but that doesn't mean they don't spin webbing material. A recluse spider creates protective webbing near the ground or floor. The webbing material provides protection when the spider is in retreat. These webs are irregular and messy, unlike the neat, orb-shaped ones you see on Halloween.

Are brown recluse spiders dangerous?

The venom of a brown recluse spider can be dangerous. It can cause skin tissue to die. Some wounds have hidden necrosis underneath the skin and can result in disfigurement. But not all brown recluse spider bites are bad. Some bites cause only a small wound with an ulcer at the center.

Another factor to consider is whether or not a brown recluse is prone to bite. Research indicates that these spiders are incredibly reclusive and rarely bite people. That isn't to say that they won't, but it is essential to understand that it is less likely than you think. We share this fact to help ease your worries as you seek professional assistance to correct an infestation, not to encourage you to allow these spiders to live in your home! It is best to deal with them.

What are the symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite?

Let's drill deeper into what you can expect to experience if a brown recluse spider bites you. You may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Redness and swelling in the area of the bite wound
• An ulcer or blister at the center of the wound
• An itching sensation around the bite
• Mild or intense pain
• Bruising around the bite wound
• Flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, and nausea
• A rash in the area of the wound
• Dizziness and faintness
• Restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping

Symptoms of a brown recluse bite can last for hours or even days. We are not medical professionals and cannot give advice other than to seek medical attention if a brown recluse spider bites you.

Does one brown recluse mean more?

Finding one brown recluse spider doesn’t necessarily mean that there is more hiding in your home, but there are a few facts you should understand.

Brown recluse spiders do infest structures. If they do get inside, they can grow a very healthy population inside a structure.

What should I do if I see a brown recluse spider?

Brown recluse spiders are—well, reclusive. If you see a brown recluse in your home, it is best to act because you may not get another warning sign until it is too late to prevent an accidental bite. Contact Marathon Pest Control for help resolving spider infestations!

How can I keep brown recluse spiders out of my house? 

• Remove unnecessary items, especially in your attic, closets, garage, and storage locker. Fewer hiding spots mean fewer spiders.
• Seal all entry points around your home, especially near doors and windows, and where pipes and wire conduits enter.
• Throw away cardboard piled up or store it in a plastic container.
• Routinely clean and vacuum, particularly in undisturbed areas like your attic and storage rooms.
• Keep your yard free of debris, woodpiles, and leaf litter where a spider might try to hide.
• Reduce or eliminate outdoor lighting to help keep insects (and brown recluse spiders that hunt them) away from your home.