What do brown recluse spiders look like?
A brown recluse spider is brown, as the name implies. Adults are roughly the size of a quarter if you include the length of their legs. Their spiderlings are much smaller. When you see a brown spider in your home, you can identify it as a brown recluse by looking for the following features: oval abdomen, rounded cephalothorax, and a dark brown violin marking on the top of the cephalothorax. If you're not familiar with the term, the cephalothorax is the forward part of the body, which includes the head.
Are brown recluse spiders venomous?
Yes. The brown recluse has a venom that is considered medically important. What this means is that a bite can lead to a hospital visit. Brown recluse spider venom is necrotic. Under the right conditions, a bite can lead to a disfiguring wound, but the vast majority of bites are nothing more than a raised bump with an ulcer in the center. Still, it is always best to have a physician monitor brown recluse bites just in case.
How dangerous is a brown recluse spider bite?
A brown recluse bite is not nearly as dangerous as you've heard, but it is certainly not something to ignore. Rarely lethal, usually the worst outcome of a brown recluse bite is that necrosis will spread under the skin where you can't easily detect it. The necrosis deadens nerve endings which can make it hard to tell that there is a serious issue. But brown recluses are "reclusive" spiders. They typically stay away from people and pets. It is only when infestations grow that these spiders start to appear in common areas.
Where are brown recluse spiders found?
These spiders prefer secluded spaces; they are reclusive, after all. Exercise caution when going into your attic or storage rooms. Watch for webbing near the floors and around holes or recesses. Brown recluse spiders don't use webs to catch insects, but they do produce webs to guard their hiding places.
What attracts a brown recluse?
- Moisture
All creatures need water for survival. Brown recluse spiders are no exception. - Food
Brown recluse spiders eat bugs. - Hiding Places
Brown recluse spiders hide in vegetation and underneath objects found on properties and inside homes.
How do brown recluse spiders get inside?
- Gaps underneath and around exterior doors
- Gaps around plumbing and PVC conduits
- Gaps between soleplates and foundation slabs
- Crawl spaces and structural gaps
- Unprotect joist voids
- Damaged screens and window panes
Should I be worried if I find a brown recluse in my house?
There is certainly reason for concern, but caution, not fear, is recommended. There are many ways you can avoid contact with these spiders, and they aren't looking to bite you. We do, however, recommend having your home treated to prevent an unwanted encounter that could lead to trouble.
How do I get rid of brown recluse spiders?
Getting rid of brown recluse spiders can be complex. It requires an understanding of brown recluse spider behavior, food sources, entry points, and hiding places. A trained and experienced pest control technician is best suited to apply spider control measures to ensure the complete removal of these pests on the interior of homes and businesses. Contact Greenway Pest Solutions to find out how we can help you address a brown recluse spider infestation.
How can I prevent brown recluse spiders in my home?
There are many ways to prevent a brown recluse spider infestation if these spiders have not yet found their way to interior spaces. You have to consider what attracts a recluse to your property and how they might enter.
- Remove potential water sources where possible.
- Address pest populations in your home and on your property to make it less appealing to these spiders.
- Trim back lands plants and landscaping.
- Clear away lawn debris.
- De-clutter closets and other less trafficked areas where these spiders tend to lurk.
