Brown Recluse

The brown recluse is also sometimes called the violin spider, or the fiddleback. It gets its common names from its solitary behavior, and markings that sometimes resemble a violin. Their coloration can be various shades of brown or tan. These spiders are under ½” long, and both males and females can bite. The recluse likes to live in similar places as the black widow; undisturbed areas like crawl spaces, attics, or in storage containers. But can also be found in household items like clothes, shoes, or cabinets that have gone undisturbed for a while. Similar to the black widow is their irregularly shaped web, but the recluse uses their web for a home rather than catching prey. To catch another insect for food, the recluse comes out of its web at night and roams around until it finds one. This behavior leads to a higher risk of finding them in beds or other areas where people are likely to run into them. Brown recluses’ have a nasty bite, which isn’t always felt right away. If you suspect one has bitten you, contact a doctor. Recluse venom causes swelling, lesions, and flesh deterioration that can take a long time to heal. Other physical symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and joint pain. In areas where recluses are present, it’s a good idea to keep beds in the open, with no ruffle touching the floor. Clothing and shoes should also be kept off the floor, and shaken out before wearing.