The
brown recluse spider is one of two
dangerously poisonous spiders found in
the United States. Although
brown-recluses are non-aggressive,
disturbing them can cause them to bite
and release very potent venom.
Fatalities are rare, but are much more
common amongst children, the sick, and
the elderly.
Throughout the years, the brown recluse
has been known by a variety of different
names including the violin spider, the
fiddleback spider, the recluse spider,
and the brown spider.
Brown recluse spiders measure
approximately ¼” to ½” and have long,
delicate grayish to dark brown legs with
short, dark hairs. Their leg span is
about the size of a half dollar.
There are two major characteristics of
brown recluses that make them readily
identifiable. The first major
characteristic is the presence of six
eyes arranged in a semicircle on the
forepart of the head. The second major
characteristic is a dark violin-shaped
marking located immediately behind the
eyes. There are many other species of
spiders that feature these identifying
characteristics but do not otherwise
resemble brown recluses. For example,
spitting spiders are similar to the
recluses in that they have six eyes, but
they have many black spots and lines on
their bodies that recluses do not have.
The woodlouse spider also has six eyes,
but has no violin shaped marking. Many
tan and gray spiders have dark markings
on the head region. These similarities
lead to confusion when people are trying
to determine the presence of brown
recluses. Virtually every spider that is
tan or brown has been turned in to
entomologists as a possible brown
recluse..
Brown recluses, exactly as their name
suggests, are reclusive. They are
nocturnal creatures that will spend time
hiding out in quiet places during the
day such as bathrooms, bedrooms,
closets, basements and cellars. They may
also take shelter under furniture,
appliances, and carpets, behind
baseboards and door facings, or in
corners and crevices. Some have even
been found in stored clothing, old
shoes, on the undersides of tables and
chairs, and in folded bedding and
undisturbed towels stored for long
periods of time. It is when people
disturb these reclusive spiders that
they get bitten.
Brown recluse spiders spin small, loose,
and whitish webs with irregular strands.
The females lay eggs from May to August
in off-white silken cases, or sacs, that
measure approximately 1/3” in diameter.
Sacs contain 40 or more eggs and are
hung in the web, which is guarded by the
female. Each female may lay as many as
300 eggs during her lifetime. Spiderlings emerge from the egg case in
24 to 36 days. Their development is
influenced by weather conditions and
food availability. Spiders can survive
long periods of time without food or
water and can live anywhere from 2 to 4
years. They are very adaptable and are
known to be active in temperatures
ranging from 45 to 100 degrees
Fahrenheit.
As mentioned before, people are usually
bitten when they disturb a spider that
is being reclusive. This usually happens
when unused shoes or clothes are put on.
After being bitten, the severity of a
person’s reaction depends on the amount
of venom injected and the person's
individual sensitivity to it. Effects
may be immediate, delayed, or
nonexistent. A person may not know they
have been bitten until 2 to 8 hours
after the event. Others who experience a
severe reaction may feel a stinging
sensation followed by intense pain. A
small white blister usually appears at
the bite site and is surrounded by a
large, congested, swollen area. After 24
to 36 hours, a systematic reaction
begins that is characterized by
restlessness, fever, chills, nausea,
weakness, and joint pain. The affected
area enlarges, becomes inflamed, and the
tissue is hard to the touch. The
spiders' venom contain an enzyme that
destroys cell membranes in the wound
area. Affected tissue gradually sloughs
away, exposing underlying tissue. Within
24 hours, the bite site can erupt into a
“volcano lesion,” which is a hole in the
flesh resulting from damaged, gangrenous
tissue.
The open wound can range in size from
that of a nickel to the span of a hand.
This sunken, ulcerating sore may heal
slowly, taking 6 to 8 weeks. Full
recovery from a bite may take several
months and scarring may remain even
after healing. In some cases, plastic
surgery or skin grafting is needed.
If you are bitten, try your best to
remain calm and if you can, collect the
spider that bit you for identification.
Get medical advice immediately by
contacting either your physician, Poison
Information Center, or hospital. Apply
antiseptic solution to prevent infection
and ice packs to relieve local swelling
and pain directly on the bite area.
Since most bites occur when people put
on clothes or shoes that have not been
used for awhile, it is important to
shake out these things before dressing.
Do not go barefoot or handle firewood
without gloves.
Eliminate clutter in the yard, basement,
attic, and any outbuildings. Remove
trash, old boxes, piles of lumber, old
clothing and other unwanted items from
around the house. Dust and vacuum
thoroughly and frequently around
windows, corners of rooms, under
furniture, in storage areas and normally
undisturbed places to get rid of
spiders, webs, and egg sacs.
Install screens on doors and windows to
prevent entry. Seal or caulk cracks and
crevices where spiders can enter the
house and wash off the outside of the
house and under the roof eaves.
back to top
