Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown Recluse Spiders are part of the family of spiders that have a shiny black or dark brown fiddle-shaped pattern on the back of their head (the family being aptly called violin spiders or fiddlebacks). They are a shade of brown, ranging from tan to dark brown, and are most often golden. Aside from the fiddle-marking, they have no other stripes or bands, fine hair on their body and an oval shaped abdomen. Brown Recluse Spiders grow to be almost half an inch long with four thin legs on either side of their body, and six eyes arranged in groups of two on the front and sides of their head.

 

Several other spiders, such as funnel weaver, nursery web and wolf spiders, are often mistaken for Brown Recluse Spiders, but all those spiders have other markings, such as bands, stripes, or spots.

 

Brown Recluse Spiders generally live in basements and garages, hiding behind and in boards and boxes. They don't spin their webs out in the open, but can have huge populations once an infestation begins.

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Brown Recluse Spider bites can be dangerous and even deadly.  If you suspect a spider bite and have any additional symptoms, such as fever, chills, nausea or faintness, seek immediate medical care.

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To learn even more about Brown Recluse Spiders, check out our blog post