Where are brown recluse spiders most common

Because brown recluse spiders are solitary and secretive, it can prove difficult to locate their dwellings. Almost any dark, undisturbed area can serve as harborage for brown recluse spiders. In their natural habitat, these spiders can be found beneath rocks and logs.

However, human-altered environments provide better conditions to brown recluse spiders than these natural settings. Brown recluse spiders may live in the following locations: boxes, clothing, shoes, furniture, bedding, rubber tires and other dry, dark, warm locations. Storage areas such as closets, basements and cellars are commonly inhabited. Because of their high reproductive potential, it is more common to find many of these spiders than to find just one.

Geographic Range

Presently, the known range of the brown recluse spider habitat (Loxosceles reclusa) extends from Nebraska to Ohio and across the south from Texas to Florida. It is native to the United States, unlike other pest spiders such as the brown widow or yellow sac spider. Concentrations of recluses are greatest in the central part of their range where hundreds or even thousands may be found in a single structure. Although brown recluse bites are claimed in states outside of these regions, these bites, as well as those from within the recluse’s range, are most commonly a result of other medically related causes such as bacterial infections of the skin.

Due to its penchant for hiding in dark locations such as boxes, transportation of recluses can happen. Indeed, there are recorded instances of single buildings outside their recluse range where recluses were accidentally brought in through relocated items.

Identification

What Do Brown Recluse Spiders Look Like?

Adult brown recluse spiders are usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inches in length. Their color ranges from tan to dark brown, usually with a darker fiddle-shaped marking on dorsum or top of the cephalothorax. Brown recluse spiders have six eyes arranged in three groups of two each (diads) in a semicircle. Spiderlings (immatures) are very similar to adults except they are smaller and slightly paler.

Signs of an Infestation

Signs of a brown recluse spider infestation mainly include spotting one, or noticing webs in and around the home. If you have an infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.

Education

Habits

Female brown recluse spiders deposit 40-50 eggs in a silken egg sac, which is off-white, with the outer covering loosely woven. Each sac contains between 31-300 eggs. The eggs hatch in 25-39 days and the spiderlings undergo at least one molt within the sac before emerging. The development period (egg to adult) averages 336 days.

Habitat

Indoors, male brown recluse spiders live an average of 543 days, and females live 628 days, but 4-5 years is not uncommon. The female spins an irregular web in undisturbed areas, like the garage, attic and basement. The web is not used to catch prey, but rather as a retreat.

Outside, brown recluse spiders are typically found around rocks, piles of inner tubes, utility boxes, woodpiles, under bark, etc. These spiders have been found in such places as cedar shake roofs.

Inside the home, brown recluse spiders can be found in almost any undisturbed area. They are most commonly found in boxes, among papers, and in seldom-used clothing and shoes, although they can be found in corners, underneath tables and chairs, or in crevices such as those found along baseboards, doors, and window moldings. Storage areas such as closets, bedrooms, attics, crawl spaces, and basements are the preferred nesting areas of brown recluse spiders. In commercial buildings, brown recluse spiders may be found in heat tunnels, boiler rooms, attics, basements, storerooms, and garages.

With respect to food, brown recluse spiders prefer live small prey, such as cockroaches and crickets. If their prey is large, they would rather it to be dead, presumably to avoid damage to themselves. Their prey are primarily insects.

Brown recluse spiders often live outdoors where they are typically found around rocks, utility boxes and woodpiles. Indoors, brown recluses can be found in any undisturbed area, such as inside boxes, among papers, in seldom-used apparel and shoes, under furniture or in crevices of window moldings. Closets, attics, crawl spaces and basements are the most common brown recluse spider hiding spots.

Threat

Both male and female brown recluse spiders can bite and inject venom. Injection of their venom may produce necrosis or dead tissue, resulting in an ulcerating type of sore. Healing is very slow and usually takes several weeks, resulting in dense scar tissue. In severe cases, plastic surgery may be required.

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