We are on to the next star of our spider spotlight: the brown recluse. This arachnid is often on people’s lists of spiders they don’t want to run into and is known for its venomous—rumored deadly—bite.

What do they look like? A brown recluse spider is tan or brown and about the size of a quarter. The most prominent feature of a fully grown brown recluse is a dark violin-shaped mark on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear.

Are brown recluse spiders dangerous? They can and will bite out of defense, but they would much rather stay out of your way. In rare instances, a bite can cause damage to tissue, but a fatality from a brown recluse bite has never been verified.

What does a brown recluse bite feel like? Surprisingly, you won’t feel the bite at first, and you’ll likely only realize you were bitten once other symptoms appear, usually after a few hours. The site will turn red, start to swell, and a blister might appear. Victims can experience convulsions, itching, nausea, and muscle pain.

As always, with any pest bite, contact your medical professional.

Are they common in northern Virginia? This type of spider is most often found in the midwest and southcentral states. However, they have been known to hitch a ride on trucks, building supplies, and old furniture, and end up in Virginia. So, they aren’t likely to be a daily concern, but you still might seem them.

Spiders Are No Match for ExtermPRO.

We know spider infestations can be very serious, like when you’re dealing with the brown recluse. We can treat an immediate problem and help you prevent future infestations of all pests with our Pest Protection Plan. Call us today at 571-620-1168 to keep pests out for good.