Loxoceles genus

The brown recluse spider is well known for its appearance and poisonous bite. It is the most common and widespread of the brown spiders. It is found in the south and central United States.

Identification – What do brown recluse spiders look like?

The brown recluse is pale brown or buckskin colored with long, dark brown legs and has a violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax (fused head and thorax). The violin-shaped marking can vary in intensity depending on age. The abdomen is uniformly colored and covered in fine hairs, which give it a velvety appearance. The brown recluse’s eyes are one of its most distinctive characteristics. It has 6 eyes (three groups of two) instead of the usual eight like most spiders. The body of the brown recluse is about 3/8th, if it is longer than 1/2 inch, it is not a brown recluse.

Habitat and Habits of brown recluse spiders

Brown recluse spiders get their name from their color and “shy nature”. They go out of their way to avoid humans. They often hide in dark, secluded areas, like under porches or deep in closets. They also will hide under trash cans and tires. They are nocturnal and lay their eggs from May to July. Brown recluse live on average 1 to 2 years but can live up to 4 to 5 years.

They get around by hitchhiking on furniture boxes and other items. They are well adapted for hitchhiking as they are long lived and can go for many months without eating. Additionally, the female only needs to mate once to produce eggs throughout her life. She can produce 150 or more spiderlings a year. A single female hitchhiker is all it takes to establish an infestation. Once established within a structure, brown recluses are often difficult to control.

The brown recluse has a venomous bite. The venom includes a tissue-destroying toxin produced by no other spider group. Reactions to a bite vary depending on the amount of venom injected and the individual’s sensitivity. Some people may experience a delayed reaction, others an immediate reaction, and others no reaction at all. After a bite, the pain can be stabbing and penetrating or develop into a burning sensation. Many brown recluse bites leave a small red mark that heals quickly with no scar. For people with higher sensitivity levels, a small white blister appears at the bite. The tissue may become hard. The lesions are dry, blue-gray or blue-white patches with ragged edges surrounded by redness. In severe reactions, the bite site can develop a “volcano lesion” and the damaged tissue becomes gangrenous – leaving an open wound the size of a human hand.

There is no effective antivenin. If you are bitten, wash the area with soap and water, then wrap ice in a washcloth and place it on the bite area for 10 minutes. Repeat the cold compresses and go to the emergency room. Bring the spider, if possible, for identification purposes.

Diet – What do brown recluse spiders eat?

Brown recluse spiders prefer to eat cockroaches, firebrats, crickets and other crawling bugs, including ants and spiders. Brown recluse spiders are hunters. Some insects get trapped in their webs, but most of their prey is caught during their nightly hunts. The spider lunges at its prey and bites it, injecting venom. Once the venom paralyzes the prey, the spider comes back and eats it.

Brown Recluse Spider Control – How to get rid of brown recluse?

The best way to prevent brown recluse spider infestation is to  seal your house and other buildings against spider invasion. Homeowners should be warned that completely removing an infestation of brown recluse spiders may take several months if undertaken without professional intervention, and DIY methods often fail. The best method for brown recluse control and removal is to contact a trained pest control professional. Rocky Mountain Bird and Pest will conduct a complete inspection of your home or business, interior and exterior, to properly identify the spiders you’re dealing with and the best treatment solution.