Facts About Brown Recluse Spiders

When you think about scary pests, if you’re like a lot of people, spiders top the list. Brown recluse spiders, in particular, are scary-looking arachnids, but they shouldn’t necessarily be feared. Read on to learn facts about brown recluse spiders.

Facts About Brown Recluse Spiders

• Where It Got Its Name. “Brown Recluse” isn’t as creative as you might first think. It identifies the color, and recluse refers to how it likes to live reclusively (alone). Simple!
• You Might Be Able to Identify Its Age. Look at the violin marking. Older Brown Recluses tend to have darker violin shapes.
• Count Those Eyes Again. One of the first things kids learn about spiders in school is that they have eight eyes. Not the brown recluse…it only has six.
• She’s a Single Lady…Most of Her Life: Sorry gentlemen. The female brown recluse only needs to mate with a man once in her life in order to produce eggs for offspring. And she can lay 150 more spiderlings a year, meaning an infestation isn’t out of the question.
• They Like to Hitchhike. They like to get around by catching a ride on furniture boxes and other items from infested structures. That’s why you’ll occasionally find a brown recluse out of their normal living zone.
• They’re scaredy cats. You don’t want to see a brown recluse, and they don’t want to see you either! They would much rather you stay away and will avoid you, if possible. However, if you seem like a threat and accidentally step on them or roll over onto them in your sleep, they will bite out of defense, not aggression.
• Where did that bite come from!? Surprisingly, you likely won’t feel a brown recluse bite at first. A few hours later, you will develop a painful lesion on your skin. In extreme cases, you might experience nausea, fever, chills, and joint pain. A fatality from a brown recluse bite has never been verified, so your outlook is very good! As always, consult your doctor with any health concerns.

Pest Problem? Not with Help From ExtermPRO.

Typically, seeing a spider doesn’t warrant a call to an exterminator. However, if you’re seeing a significant increase in this eight-legged pest, you might be dealing with a different pest infestation because they go where there is food. Your local pest pros at ExtermPRO are here to help. Our experts have decades of experience serving the Virginia area, so we know the solutions to all your pest problems. Call us today at 571-620-1168.