The brown recluse spider is perhaps the most feared and misunderstood spider. Unfortunately, Texas is home to many spiders that can be confused with the brown recluse because they look so similar. It’s important to know if you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse as they are a venomous spider that can cause serious issues. Even though there are many places they can hide in or around your home, fortunately the chances of getting bitten are rare. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control delves more into this dangerous spider below.
How to Identify a Brown Recluse Spider
Living in areas that the brown recluse lives makes it necessary to be able to identify them. The brown recluse has one big difference from other spiders. They only have six eyes while most other spiders have eight. They can be very difficult to see and you will probably need a magnifying glass. The brown recluse spider is completely uniform in color. Usually dirt or sandy brown including the legs. The only part of the brown recluse spider that is different than the rest is the violin shape on its body but only slightly. If this violin shape has different colors or spots on it, then it’s not a brown recluse. No stripes and not more than one color on its body is present. A patterned body also means it’s not a brown recluse. Some spiders have spines on their bodies but the brown recluse does not. They do have many fine, short hairs that cover its body. If you are looking at a spider that is larger than ½ inch, then you are not dealing with a brown recluse as they are not huge spiders.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite, Range & Stomach
You should know where they live. If you find a spider outside those regions, then it’s highly unlikely it’s a brown recluse. If you find them outside the normal areas they live then they’ve most likely hitched a ride during a move. Inside your home they are normally found in dark dry places that are usually left undisturbed like. Finding a spider out in the open on a web means it’s not a brown recluse as they don’t use their webs to catch prey. They only build small irregular webs to hide during the day. Noticing webs that are spread between walls and trees aren’t those of a brown recluse. The brown recluse web is loose, sticky and gray or off-white in color. When you’re first bitten by a brown recluse chances are you won’t feel it. It may take up to 8 hours to feel the pain when you will most likely also have a bite area that is red, tender and swollen. Other spiders will usually cause pain right away. Most times being bitten is the worst part, but depending on the age and physical condition of the person they may experience chills, fever, sweating, nausea or a general feeling of illness.
Brown Recluse Spider Pest Inspections, Control, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
The brown recluse spider is not after you and just wants to be left alone. Most households that have brown recluse spiders don’t ever experience a bite. It’s almost impossible to eliminate these spiders once they have established themselves in a dwelling. It is possible to reduce their numbers to reduce the chances of being bitten. Contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control for problems with brown recluse spiders.
