ENTFACT-631

BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER

by Michael F. Potter, Urban Entomologist

Many different kinds of spiders live around homes and

buildings. Most are harmless and in fact are beneficial,
because they prey upon flies, crickets and other nuisance
insects.

Distribution of the brown recluse spider (dark shading) and other

species of Loxosceles spiders in the U.S. (light shading)
(adapted from distribution map of R. Vetter, Univ. Calif. Riverside)

A brown recluse spider with violin-shaped marking A more definitive diagnostic feature is the eye pattern --
(R. Bessin, Univ. Kentucky) brown recluses have a semi-circular arrangement of 6 eyes
in 3 groups of 2 while most other spiders have 8 eyes.
One spider in Kentucky that is potentially dangerous is the Seeing this feature clearly requires a good quality hand
brown recluse, sometimes referred to as the violin or fid- lens. Many harmless brown spiders are mistaken for the
dleback spider because of the violin-shaped marking on its brown recluse, so it is prudent to have specimens con-
dorsum. Although bites are rare, the venom can cause seri- firmed by an entomologist or knowledgeable pest control
ous wounds and infestations should be taken seriously. firm.
Distribution and Diagnosis

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is found

throughout the south central and midwestern United States.
Infestations in Kentucky are intermittent, becoming more
common as one travels westward. Other species of
Loxosceles spiders occur in the southwestern U.S. and
southern California, but the brown recluse is the most nota-
ble and widespread. Recluse spiders are rare outside their
native range and are widely over-reported. Occasionally,
one or a few spiders may be transported to a non-native
area in boxes or furnishings, but infestations seldom be-
come established.

Though variable in size, adult brown recluse spiders with

Eye pattern of a brown recluse spider. In the photo, the pair of
legs extended are about the size of a U.S. quarter. Colora- eyes marked by the arrow is most apparent
tion ranges from tan to dark brown, and the abdomen and (R. Bessin, Univ. Kentucky)
legs are uniformly colored with no stripes, bands or mot-
tling. The legs are long and thin and lack conspicuous Habits and Development
spines. For laypersons, the most distinguishing feature of a
brown recluse is a dark violin-shaped mark on its back, In nature, brown recluse spiders live outdoors under rocks,
with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear logs, woodpiles and debris. The spider is also well adapted
(abdomen) of the spider. This feature is consistent in adult to living indoors with humans. They are resilient enough to
brown recluses, but sometimes less obvious in younger withstand winters in unheated basements and stifling sum-
spiders. mer temperatures in attics, persisting many months without
food or water. The brown recluse hunts at night seeking coming adults.
insect prey, either alive or dead. It does not employ a web
to capture food -- webs strung along walls, ceilings, out-
door vegetation, and in other exposed areas are nearly al-
ways associated with other types of spiders.

Shed skins of the brown recluse have a distinct appearance

(M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky)

The molted (shed) skins of the brown recluse have a dis-

tinct "rigid" appearance and can be useful in confirming
infestation.

Brown recluse spiders mature in about a year and have an

average lifespan of 2 to 4 years. The females produce up to
5 egg sacs in a lifetime. Infestation levels in homes vary
greatly, ranging from one or a few spiders to several hun-
dred.

Bites and Medical Significance

Like other spiders, the brown recluse is not aggressive. It is

quite common, in fact, to live in a building that is heavily
infested and never be bitten. Most bites occur in response
to body pressure, when a spider is inadvertently trapped
Cobweb (top) and cellar spiders (bottom) often build webs in against bare skin. Some people are bitten when they roll
homes but are harmless (M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky) over one in bed. Other bites occur while moving stored
items or putting on a piece of clothing that a spider has
In homes, such webs are often produced by harmless cob- chosen for its daytime retreat. Brown recluse spiders have
web or cellar spiders. While sometimes considered a nui- remarkably small fangs and cannot bite through clothing.
sance, these spiders actually prey upon brown recluses, and
in this sense could be considered beneficial. The initial bite is usually painless. Oftentimes the victim is
unaware until 3 to 8 hours later when the bite site may be-
During daylight hours, brown recluse spiders typically re- come red, swollen, and tender. The majority of brown re-
treat to dark, secluded areas. They often line their daytime cluse spider bites remain localized, healing within 3 weeks
retreats with irregular webbing, which is used to form their without serious complication or medical intervention. In
egg sacs. Adult female recluses seldom venture far from other cases, the victim may develop a necrotic lesion, ap-
their retreat, whereas males and older juveniles are more pearing as a dry, sinking bluish patch with irregular edges,
mobile and tend to travel farther. Consequently, they are a pale center and peripheral redness. Often there is a cen-
more likely to wander into shoes, clothing or bedding at tral blister. As the venom continues to destroy tissue, the
night and bite people when they inadvertently become wound may expand up to several inches over a period of
trapped against the skin. At times, brown recluse spiders days or weeks. The necrotic ulcer can persist for several
will be seen during daylight hours crawling on floors, walls months, leaving a deep scar. Infrequently, bites in the early
and other exposed surfaces. Such behavior can be triggered stages produce systemic reactions accompanied by fever,
by hunger, overcrowding, pesticide application, or other chills, dizziness, rash or vomiting. Severe reactions to the
factors. venom are more common in children, the elderly, and pa-
tients in poor health. Persons bitten by a brown recluse
About 40-50 eggs are contained within 1/3 inch diameter spider should apply ice, elevate the affected area, and seek
off-white silken egg sacs. The tiny emerged spiders gradu- medical attention immediately.
ally increase in size, molting five to eight times before be-

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Medical Misdiagnosis

Spider bites are difficult to diagnose, even by physicians.

Contrary to popular belief, it is exceedingly hard to diagno-
sis a brown recluse spider bite from the wound alone.
Many medical conditions mimic the necrotic-looking sore
from a recluse bite, including bacterial and fungal infec-
tions, gangrene, and diabetic or pressure ulcers. Several
recent misdiagnoses have arisen from outbreaks of drug-
resistant infections by Staphyloccus aureus. The bacterium
produces painful skin lesions that resemble recluse bites,
and can run rampant in close living quarters such as hospi-
tals, nursing homes, summer camps, military barracks, and
correctional facilities. Similar-looking lesions can also be
caused by other types of insects and arthropods.
Inspections in secluded areas require a bright flashlight (work
gloves are also recommended) (M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky)

Many medical conditions are mistaken for brown recluse bites.

The wound on the left is from a brown recluse spider, the one on
the right from a bacterial infection. Wear gloves when moving potentially infested materials
(M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky) (M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky)

Alleged bites occurring outside the normal territorial range Inspection, Sanitation, Exclusion - Thorough inspection
of the brown recluse spider are particularly unlikely, given with a bright flashlight is needed to reveal the location and
that surveys rarely yield recluses in non-native areas. With extent of infestations. Likely hiding places for brown re-
all alleged spider bites, verification generally requires find- cluse spiders include crevices, corners, and wall-floor junc-
ing a spider at the time and proximity of the bite. Presump- tures (especially behind clutter and furniture) in garages,
tive bites become even more unlikely if thorough inspec- basements and living areas.
tion of the premises yields no sign of brown recluse spi-
ders. Anyone bitten by what is thought to be a brown re- Reducing clutter affords fewer places for the spiders to
cluse should try to collect the specimen and bring it to a hide, and can enhance effectiveness of treatments. Brown
qualified individual for identification. Even badly crushed recluse spiders also live behind walls and may inhabit the
specimens can usually be identified. Confirmation by an voids of hollow block foundations. In infested garages,
expert will help the physician decide on the appropriate attics, basements and crawl spaces, the spiders, egg sacs,
course of treatment. and distinctive shed skins are often found between joists,
sills and rafters, as well as under insulation. In living areas,
Controlling Infestations they often inhabit crevices behind and beneath beds and
furniture, closets, clothing, shoes, and stored items. When
Brown recluse spiders are challenging to control, largely sorting through boxes or materials, wear long sleeves and
because of their secretive habits. Virtually any dark, undis- gloves to avoid being bitten. Brown recluse spiders also
turbed area can serve as harborage, and many such places reside above suspended ceilings, behind baseboards and
occur within buildings. Because the spider is a potential woodwork, and within heat ducts and registers.
health threat and requires skill and persistence to eradi-
cate such treatments are best performed by knowledge- Outdoors the spiders may be found in barns, sheds, wood-
able professionals. piles, and under anything lying on the ground. Migration
indoors can be reduced by moving firewood, building
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materials, and debris away from foundations. Sealing block foundations, and behind light switch and outlet plates
cracks and holes in a building's exterior can further help to to contact spiders traveling along wires from attics. Typical
keep spiders and other pests outdoors. Some of the more dust insecticides include silica gel (two professional brands
common entry points for brown recluse spiders include are Drione and Tri-Die) and deltamethrin (DeltaDust).
gaps under doors; vents and utility penetrations; beneath
the lowermost edge of siding; and where eaves and soffits Insecticide sprays can also be effective applied into harbor-
meet the sides of buildings. Outdoor populations of brown ages and along floor/wall junctures, edges of suspended
recluse spiders are less common in the northern portions of ceilings, and other places where spiders tend to travel. Bet-
its range. ter spray ingredients include cypermethrin, cyfluthrin,
bifenthrin, deltamethrin and lambda cyhalothrin, which are
contained in such professional insecticide brands as De-
mon, Tempo, Talstar, Suspend, and Demand. Consumer
versions containing similar ingredients include Bayer Ad-
vanced Multi-Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide, and
Ortho Home Defense Max. "Bug bombs" and total-release
foggers are seldom effective against these spiders, and
should only be considered when treating otherwise inacces-
sible areas. Treatments can also be made outdoors to help
reduce spider entry. Cracks in exterior walls can be treated,
and sprays can be applied along the base of foundations
and likely entry points with one of the above-mentioned
insecticides.

Avoiding Bites
Glue boards are useful for capturing brown recluse spiders
(M. Potter, Univ. Kentucky)
As treatments are being implemented, precautions can be
taken to lessen the chance of being bitten. Beds should be
Glue boards - An excellent way to survey for this spider is moved away from walls, drapes and other furnishings, and
to install flat, sticky cards known as glue boards. Often skirts and bedspreads removed to break contact with the
used to capture mice and cockroaches, the devices can be floor. Shoes and clothing should also be kept off floors, or
purchased at grocery or hardware stores. The best glue at least shaken well before wearing. Remove excess clutter
traps for capturing brown recluse spiders are flat, like thin and store seldom-used items in plastic storage containers.
pieces of sticky cardboard, without a raised perimeter edge. There may be comfort in knowing that bites are a rare oc-
currence, even in homes where brown recluses are abun-
The more glue traps used the better dozens placed dant.
throughout a home will reveal "hot spots" where spiders
are most abundant. Traps should be placed in corners and Revised: 6/05
along wall-floor junctures, especially behind furniture and
clutter since spiders tend to travel in these areas. Besides
being useful for detection, glue traps can capture and kill
large numbers of spiders, especially the males, which are
more likely to wander into places where people are acci-
dentally bitten. Ongoing eradication efforts can be judged
by the number of new spiders collected in traps. Glue traps
should be installed before insecticide treatments, as some
products will cause spiders to relocate and wander into
traps.

Insecticides - Brown recluse infestations will usually war-

rant the use of insecticides. Some spiders will not be
caught in glue traps, especially the adult egg-laying fe-
males, which stay hidden more so than male spiders. Insec-
ticides should be applied into cracks, voids, and other areas
where spiders are likely to be hiding, attempting to contact
as many as possible. Spray, dust and aerosol formulations
may be employed. Dust insecticides are particularly effec-
tive for treating cracks, such as under baseboards and along
sill plates in basements and crawl spaces. Dusts also work
well when treating under insulation, within voids of hollow