Brown Recluse Spiders - What you need to know!
Like it or not, these shy but dangerous spiders are ever-present here in Tennessee. As it's name indicates, this
arachnid habitually hides in the smallest and darkest places in your home and will generally venture out in darkness in search of food. The
primary source of food for the Brown Recluse is other insects and it will inject a venomous bite to immobilize it's prey. As you know, Brown
recluse venom can be very harmful to humans and thus, being able to identify them, having an understanding of their habitat, methods for control,
and first aid, is extremely important.
Identification- The most recognized feature of the Brown Recluse spider is violin pattern on the top side of
the spider near the head. Thus they have been nick named the Fiddleback Spider. The violin pattern is common in adult brown recluses, but some young
brown recluse spiders do not have any contrasting pigmentation in the violin region. Recluse spiders also have abdomens devoid of any coloration
pattern. Their legs lack thickened spines but are covered with fine hairs. Unlike most U.S. spiders, the Brown Recluse spider has six eyes arranged in
pairs called dyads. (Most U.S. spiders have eight eyes arranged in two rows of four.)
Habitat - Recluse spiders build irregular webs that frequently include a shelter consisting of
disorderly threads. These spiders frequently build their webs in woodpiles and sheds, closets, garages, cellars and other places that are dry and
generally undisturbed. They seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they
naturally inhabit. They also go in shoes, inside dressers, in bed sheets of infrequently used beds, in stacks of clothes, behind baseboards, behind
pictures and near furnaces. The common source of human-recluse contact is during the cleaning of these spaces, when their isolated spaces suddenly are
disturbed and the spider feels threatened. Unlike most web weavers, they leave these webs at night to hunt. Males will move around more when hunting
while females don't usually stray far from their web.
Control- If you have identified Brown recluse Spiders in your home, it is always a good idea to contact a
reputable Pest Control Expert to help you develop a plan for remediation. Keep in mind, however, that these spiders are less susceptible to
traditional pesticides as most are designed to either be ingested by the insect or come in contact with their body. In the case of the Brown Recluse,
they do not clean their feet and legs with their mouths, and thus, don't ingest the chemical. Furthermore, they have very long legs and have been
known to crawl over a poisonous substance totally unaffected. Finally, since they are reclusive by nature, direct contact by spraying them is often
impossible. Alternatively, spider traps seem to be the most effective means of controlling them in your home. Tri-Core Ace Hardware stocks Big H Traps recommended
by many spider experts as a safe and effective alternative to poisons and pesticides. To use these traps most effectively for brown recluse spiders,
place traps in closets or other secluded areas where you have seen spiders and/or webs. Brown Recluse spiders are also unaffected by
conventional foggers and will, when a fogging device is detected, retreat to an unreachable area of your home. However, dry fumigators, such as
the Raid™ Fumigator have been shown to be effective due to their slow release, penetrating characteristics.
First Aid- If bitten, remain calm, and immediately seek medical attention (contact your physician, hospital
and/or poison control center). An effective commercial anti venom is not available. Apply an ice pack directly to the bite area to relieve swelling
and pain. Treatment should also include elevation and immobilization of the affected area. Collect the spider (even a mangled specimen has
diagnostic value), if possible, for positive identification by a spider expert.
