Brown Recluse Spider Identification & Prevention

Brown recluse spiders are one of the few dangerous spiders that live in the United States. Out in nature and away from people, these predators are beneficial, helping to control the number of nuisance insects.

These spiders range in color from yellowish-gray to dark black, and gray hairs cover their abdomen. Their long, thin legs are darker in color than the rest of their body.

You can identify a brown recluse spider by the “violin-like” pattern on the top of its body. They also have three pairs of eyes uniquely arranged in a semi-circle pattern.

As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders are reclusive creatures that prefer to hide out of sight. They are not aggressive, but when they feel trapped, they respond by biting. Their venom is strong enough to cause health problems in people.

Symptoms from a brown recluse spider bite include fever, problems sleeping, and swelling and tenderness around the bite site. The skin around the bite will ulcerate. The resulting wound is very prone to infection and can take weeks or months to heal. If ever bitten by a brown recluse spider, you should seek medical attention in order to manage the symptoms appropriately.

Like all other species of spiders, brown recluse spiders are predators. They feed on many species of insects and other spiders. Dense vegetation, gardens, tall grasses, and piles of debris attract brown recluse spiders. These spiders live outside but sometimes move into homes and outbuildings through openings they discover while hunting for prey.

Brown recluse spiders create their webs and hunt for prey in many different places. Outside, they live in tall grasses, gardens, in bushes, between rocks, under woodpiles, and in the corners of doorways. After moving inside, these shy creatures like to hide in dark, quiet areas like basements, closets, attics, crawl spaces, and areas under furniture.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate brown recluse spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from brown recluse spiders, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees, logs, excess woodpiles, and other clutter from your yard.
• Cut back grass, vegetation, and bushes away from the exterior of your home.
• Fix entry points that could allow spiders to move into your home.
• Inside, keep storage areas free of debris and clutter where they can hide.
• Store your items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes.
• Keep doors to garages and other outbuildings closed whenever possible.