There are few insects that can cause as much fear as the brown recluse spider. While we think it is certainly important to take appropriate measures and reach out to a certified OPC Pest Services professional when a brown recluse spider is detected, it’s also important to know fact from fiction when it comes to the brown recluse.
Do we have Brown Recluse Spiders in Kentuckiana?
Yes! We have lots actually. The brown recluse is found in the central and southern United States, from Ohio to Nebraska and south through Texas to Georgia. True to their name, they prefer to be “reclusive” and to hide in out-of-the-way places in households that are rarely disturbed or cleaned, such as storage areas, under cabinets, crawl spaces, attics, boxes, garages, sheds and cellars. They’ve also been known to get cozy in gardening gloves, clothes that haven’t been worn in a while or shoes. Recluses tend to hide in the dark and move around at night searching for prey.
What do they look like?
The brown recluse is a venomous spider known by their species name Loxosceles reclusa. These spiders range in color from a light tan to a dark brown, with no distinguishing stripes or bands. Their long thin legs have a silky appearance to them due to fine hairs that grow along the entire length. The brown recluse has a distinguishing violin-shaped marking on its dorsum, sometimes being referred to as the “violin” or “fiddleback” spider. The spider is further distinguished by having only six eyes compared to eight like most spiders. Brown Recluses are actually pretty small. They’re only about the size of a quarter when they have all of their legs extended. So, if you see a huge brown spider, it’s not likely to be a brown recluse.
The Bite
These spiders are shy and rarely bite, unless provoked. However, recluses possess a necrotic venom that can sometimes cause serious tissue damage or necrosis. Victims of brown recluse spider bites can experience fever, convulsions, itching, nausea and muscle pain.
The initial bite is usually painless and oftentimes the person is unaware of the bite until 3 to 8 hours later. A small blister can appear and the surrounding area may become red and swollen. People react differently to bites so it’s advised that anyone bitten should seek immediate medical attention.
Infestation and Prevention
The most effective way to control brown recluse spiders from getting in the home is preventing them from entering in the first place. Homeowners should start prevention from the outside! Always look for any small openings or holes, paying special attention to areas where utility pipes enter the home. Seal any openings with a silicone caulk to prevent spiders and other insects from gaining access inside.
Items like fire food should be stacked at least 20 feet away from your house, handled with gloves and inspected before being brought into the home. You want to be sure to not leave clothes on the floor in dark places like basements or the garage and always shake loose clothes out before wearing. It’s recommended to store seldom-used items in tightly sealed bags or containers to prevent these pests from making theirselves at home in your belongings.
Always leave severe brown recluse spider infestations to a licensed OPC Pest Services professional! OPC has a dedicated Brown recluse spider program. The program is not your typical service. OPC Service is extremely thorough and typically takes several hours to complete. We meticulously treat all areas the spiders frequent and treat all areas of the home including the attic with different pesticides to achieve the greatest results. We place monitoring glue boards throughout to record the level of activity and to identify any potential hot spots.
Request your free inspection and estimate. Our service is backed by a Brown recluse spider service agreement.
