What Does A Brown Recluse Spider Look Like?

At All-American Pest Control, we get calls every week by concerned homeowners curious about how to get rid of brown recluse spiders. The information below will help homeowners identify a brown recluse spider, learn tips to avoid being bitten, review symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite, and know what to do if you are bitten.

Brown Recluse Spider Identification

This brown recluse spider picture clearly shows the fiddle marking of a brown recluse spider. The fiddle marking of a brown recluse spider starts from the head. It’s a common mistake for homeowners to look for the fiddle on the back of the spider rather than the head. If you are still unsure as to whether you are dealing with brown recluse spiders in your home (and you live in Middle Tennessee), feel free to drop off the spider at the All-American Pest Control office and we’ll be glad to identify the spider for you.

If you have brown recluse spiders, what you should do first?

If you have a confirmed brown recluse spider in your home, the first step is to find out the level of activity in your home. We recommend strategically placing monitoring devices (sticky traps) throughout your home to determine the level of activity. With this knowledge, treatments can be customize for quicker results.

How Concerned Should I Be?

Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive and most bites occur in response to pressure when a spider becomes trapped against bare skin for this reason  bites are rare, even in homes with severe infestations. Other good news is that only 20% of people have bad reactions to brown recluse spider bites.

What can I do to avoid being bitten?

• Keep item such as clothing, bedding, etc… off the floor

• Shake out shoes and clothing before getting dress

• Remove bed skirts and inspect bedding before going to bed

• If you store clothing, shoes, papers etc… use air tight containers and seal them with tape

• Reduce clutter and vacuum regularly under furniture

• Inspect and clean children’s rooms often and keep toys in airtight storage containers

• Don’t handle live spiders (not even on glue board monitors)

• Don’t miss any of your scheduled services

• If you purchase a large item inspect it as carefully as possible before bring it into the home

• If you purchase items from antique sale, garage sales or consignment sale try to remove it from the packaging before bring it into the home

• If you will be using a storage facility try to have it treated before moving your items into it

What are the symptoms of a brown recluse bite?

The initial bite is generally painless.  Findings of a raised, hardened area and associated redness may not be seen for 6 to 12 hours. Bites that progress to necrosis tend to show progression in 48 to 72 hours.  Central blistering with surrounding gray to purple discoloration may appear.  The site is surrounded by a ring of blanched skin that is surrounded by a large area of redness, producing the “red, white and blue” sign typical of a brown recluse bite. Only approximately 1 in 10 bites result in necrosis.  The physical reaction depends on the amount of venom injected, bite location and individual sensitivity to the bite.  Most Brown Recluse bites heal without severe scarring.

What Should I Do If Bitten?

Remain Calm.  Apply an ice pack directly to the bite and immediately seek medical attention.  It is important to collect the spider for a positive identification.

Thing To Keep In Mind.

This Brown Recluse Reduction program is designed to minimize the Brown Recluse spider population. Brown Recluse spider reduction is best achieved through a combination of efforts including monitoring, inspection, pest control material application, spider habitat reduction and at times alterations of the structure and/or landscape.  However, it is important to understand that some level of Brown Recluse infestation will be present at all times during the life of the service whether or not the occupant sees them.