Spiders
Brown Recluse Spider
| Appearance |
|---|
 In mature brown recluse spiders, there is a dark "violin" marking with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. The abdomen is uniformly colored, although the coloration can range from light tan to dark brown, and it is covered with numerous fine hairs that give it a velvety appearance. Adult brown recluse spiders have a leg span about the size of a quarter, with a body length of 3/8 inch and a width of 3/16 inch. |
| Habitat |
| Brown recluse spiders typically occupy dark, undisturbed areas. They may be found in attics, basements, crawl spaces, cellars, closets, and ductwork or registers. They may nest in storage boxes, shoes, clothing, folded linens, and behind furniture. Outdoors, brown recluse spiders are often found under logs, in rock piles, and in stacks of lumber. They may also be found in outbuildings such as barns, storage sheds, and garages. The brown recluse spins a loose, irregular web of very sticky, off-white to grayish threads, which serves as its daytime retreat. The spider roams at night in search of insect prey. |
| Diet |
| The brown recluse spider is largely a scavenger, preferring dead insects. |
| Control |
| Bites can be avoided by wearing heavy gloves when moving items stored for long periods outdoors or in garages, basements, or warehouses. Shoes should be stored inside shoe boxes or shaken vigorously before wearing. Always carefully inspect before placing your hand under an object such as a log or rock. Professionals can remove spider infestations using a shop vacuum and apply spider control materials to help prevent their return. |
