Brown recluse spiders have a reputation for being among the most horrifying bugs to find in the house. While these little spiders may have a reputation for being deadly, the truth is that they aren’t hostile. Furthermore, brown recluse bites that result in death are much less common than lightning injuries.
Whether or not these insects have a place in horror film narratives, one thing is certain: they aren’t cute, and their stings can hurt. That is why the majority of people are interested in finding a solution to the problem of brown recluse spiders in their houses.
The Brown Recluse Spider: What Is It?
Small, brown, and deadly, brown recluse spiders choose to hide in quiet, undisturbed places rather than face the elements head-on. Flies and mosquitoes are among the nuisance insects that these spiders prey on. Brown recluse spiders, on the other hand, would rather seek for food than spin webs to catch insects.
It is during the night that brown recluse spiders are most active and likely to hunt. During the day, they seek refuge in buildings where they are guaranteed solitude. Some examples of such constructions are inner walls made of concrete blocks, cardboard boxes, wood heaps, and furniture.
Why Do Brown Recluse Spiders Inflict Such Horrific Damage to People and Animals?
The venomous bites of brown recluse spiders pose a significant threat to both humans and animals. The only time you’re likely to get bitten by one of these spiders is if you get it stuck in something, such under your clothes or a bed sheet. Other than that, they’re not aggressive. Actually, their jaws are too short to gnaw through fabric.
On the other hand, they tend to inject poison into bite wounds. Most of the time, the bite is so mild that the victim is unaware they have been bitten. Nevertheless, persons with allergies may experience a rapid onset of symptoms such as a rash, fever, vertigo, vomiting, chills, and trouble sleeping after being bitten.
Even people who aren’t allergic can feel the increasing agony that develops over the first eight hours, even though the bite isn’t painful. In addition, the venom can induce necrosis, which manifests as an open sore encircled by dead flesh, within a week.
On the flip side, roughly 10% of bites cause significant reactions. In most cases, brown recluse bites will go away without medical intervention. Furthermore, encountering one of these spiders is not cause for alarm due to their lack of aggression. Not only won’t they not bite humans or pets, but they also won’t leap.
The Brown Recluse Spider: A Guide to Identification
It is not too difficult to spot a brown recluse spider. Their brown or light brown coloration and slightly greater size when their legs are splayed make them look like quarter coins. In addition to appearing hairless, their smooth bodies are adorned with fine hairs and six eyes arranged in a horseshoe pattern.
These spiders, which are sometimes called “fiddlebacks,” are characterized by dark markings that resemble violins on their backs. The violin’s broad end rests on top of the player’s head, while the slim, lengthy neck reaches out to their rear ends.
Many people confuse brown recluse spiders with wolf spiders. An eight-eyed, bigger, and hairier spider is a wolf spider. Furthermore, wolf spiders pose significantly less of a threat due to the fact that their venom isn’t toxic.
What Are the Characteristics of Brown Recluse Spider Droppings?
Splats of dark brown, black, white, or gray appear in brown recluse feces, as they do in most spiders’ droppings. The majority of the time, excrement will settle into a single location beneath their web-like covering. It’s crucial to sanitize the mess since spider feces can contain the same diseases and toxins as the flies they eat and digest.
Brown recluse spiders often inhabit which areas?
The southern and central United States are predominantly home to brown recluse spiders. Their typical habitat begins in Nebraska and extends to southeastern Ohio, however they also inhabit most of Texas and even the Florida panhandle from Georgia.
Regarding their native habitat, brown recluse spiders can be found in areas with heaps of wood, cracks beneath rocks, and the bark of fallen trees and logs. They like to spend the day undisturbed, so you might find them hiding behind furniture, in walls, atop cupboards, or even inside appliances in your home.
When Is a Brown Recluse Spider Infestation Occurring?
Similar to other insects, brown recluse spiders search for ideal conditions to enter a dwelling. They are seeking a place to stay and something to eat. In pursuit of such ideal living quarters, they would visit a house. The problem is that you might not notice these spiders until an infestation has taken hold, because they only come out at night and aren’t very good at spinning webs.
However, there are some signs to look for:
The existence of webs that resemble sheets in hidden spaces
Two- to three-inch-diameter egg sacs fastened to webs
While it’s daylight, a brown recluse spider
Any of these things can point to a brown recluse spider infestation in your house.
What Are the Potential Dangers of Brown Recluse Spiders in the House?
There is little to no evidence that brown recluse spiders can cause harm to household items. Since they are such effective hunters, they can help keep bug populations in check, therefore they might even be useful in certain ways.
Methods for Eliminating Brown Recluse Spiders
DIY brown recluse infestation treatments are not recommended for homeowners. While a single bite might not be deadly, the cumulative effect of many bites can be devastating. It is for this reason that hiring an exterminator is advised. Nonetheless, the following strategies might be effective for the do-it-yourself pest control enthusiasts among you.
Traps with Glue
One way to keep spider populations in check is to set sticky traps in dark, secluded places like basements, along edges, and near windows. The spider’s feet become stuck in the trap as it walks across it, and it remains stuck there until it dies of dehydration.
Always remember that sticky traps will only work if spiders cross them. This is why you should utilize them alongside other strategies for optimal results. Change out the traps frequently or put them in places where children or dogs can’t get to them since a mound of dead brown recluse spiders could be harmful.
Microscopic Algae
The powdered form of diatomaceous earth is created by drying and grinding tiny marine creatures. This powder can be applied in a thin layer to areas frequented by brown recluse spiders. The spiders’ dehydration and eventual death are caused by the tiny wounds that the crystals make when they move over the diatomaceous earth.
Both people and pets can safely use this procedure. But it takes time to reduce a population, and spiders have to walk on the powder for it to work.
Homemade Vinegar Solution
As a natural insecticide, many people use vinegar or apple cider vinegar because of its acidity. Webs, egg sacs, and even individual spiders can be sprayed with a mixture of water and vinegar using a spray bottle. To further deter spiders, these people frequently spray their furniture, curtains, and other surfaces with this mixture.
When dealing with individual brown recluse spiders, it could be wise to use a stronger vinegar solution for instantaneous extermination.
Poison Avoidance
Even though brown recluse spiders are poisonous, many people still choose to avoid killing them. Here, it is known that essential oils of mint, lemon, and lavender deter brown recluse spiders. Combine a few drops of oil with a bottle of water, stir, and then spray in areas where spiders are known to congregate.
Various types of pesticides
It may be essential to deal with the tough issues, even if natural solutions are usually better. The best method for eliminating brown recluse spiders is to use a pesticide, which can be found in various forms such as sprays, powders, and baits. And even though they have negative consequences, the benefits can be worth it.
Cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin are some of the active components found in the best brown recluse spider pesticides. You can effectively decrease brown recluse populations in your house by spraying active webs, individual spiders, and egg sacs with these solutions.
Strategies for Keeping Brown Recluse Spiders Out of Your House
The most effective method is to take measures to ensure that brown recluse spiders do not enter the house at all. Happily, this will also improve the home’s efficiency and make it less inviting to other pests.
Fix Holes
Before anything else, use expanding foam and caulk to close up the gaps around your windows and doors. Additionally, brown recluse spiders can enter homes through gaps around the foundation, so it’s important to inspect and seal any such spots.
Prune Bushes and Detangle Vine Coverage
In addition, prune back any shrubs that touch the house and pull off any vines that run along its perimeter. Moving any wood stacks close to the house and putting them someplace else is also a good idea. Wearing gloves will protect you from any spiders that may be hiding in the woodpile.
Make Sure Your House Is Always Clean
Lastly, decrease the populations of other insects to make the interior of the home less appealing. Eliminate as much dust as you can from your home and get rid of anything else that can attract bugs. Because spiders will follow their prey, you may expect to see them inside your home in no time if there are a lot of insects outside.