Brown Recluse Spider Pictures, Bite Symptoms, and Pest Control Tips

Brown Recluse Spider Pictures: How to Identify and Avoid Them

Also known as the violin spider or fiddleback spider, brown recluses are one of the most dangerous spiders in North America. Their venom can cause severe skin lesions and tissue damage in some cases. Being able to identify them is key to prevention and prompt treatment if bitten.

Here is a guide to brown recluse spider pictures, how to distinguish them, where they reside, bite symptoms, and tips for spider proofing your home to avoid encounters.

Appearance and Identification

Brown recluse spiders are usually between 6-20 mm (0.25-0.75 inches) but can grow larger. They have a light to dark brown coloration and darker violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (fused head and thorax).

Key identifying features include:

• Violin-shaped marking on cephalothorax
• Uniform brown color lacking stripes/spots
• 6 equal-sized eyes arranged in pairs (most spiders have 8)
• Long, thin legs lacking banding
• 3 pairs of smooth-looking abdominal segments

Brown recluses have a smooth, sandy brown appearance overall. Their legs lack vivid patterns and joints. If you see a spider with vivid stripes, large abdomen, or spiny hairs, it is not a recluse.

Where They Live

Brown recluse spiders inhabit warmer climates across central and southern states in the US. They are most abundant in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and portions of the southeastern states.

Within those regions, recluses frequent dry, dark, sheltered areas like:

• Attics
• Basements
• Sheds
• Garages
• Barns
• Woodpiles
• Stored boxes
• Closets
• Crawl spaces
• Behind furniture

They prefer to build irregular webs in undisturbed areas and avoid the light. Bites often occur when putting on stored clothes or shoes, cleaning storage areas, or sticking hands in dark places.

Other Areas of Confusion

Some other spiders like the triangulate cobweb spider and brown widows are often mistaken for brown recluses. Knowing their key differences helps avoid misidentification.

Triangulate Cobweb Spider

The triangulate cobweb spider shares a violin-like marking but has a much rounder abdomen. It also has 8 eyes (recluses have 6) and striped or banded legs. Their webs are structured rather than loose.

Brown Widow Spider

Brown widows have a dark "hourglass" shape on the underside of their spherical abdomen rather than a violin marking. Their legs also have banding and the cephalothorax lacks a uniform brown color.

If an alleged recluse is found far outside the native range, it is likely a similar looking harmless species. Consult an expert if unsure as bites are very rare.

What Happens if You Are Bitten

Most brown recluse bites produce mild short-term symptoms like redness, itching, and minor pain similar to other spider bites. But in some cases, their venom triggers hemolysis and tissue damage resulting in severe lesions.

Initial Bite Symptoms

Bites are usually painless at first. Many victims don't even realize they've been bitten. Within 2-8 hours, mild symptoms develop around the bite site such as:

• Itching
• Redness
• Mild burning
• Slight swelling
• Double pinprick bite marks

These mild symptoms tend to resolve within 24 hours. But in about 20-30% of bites, severe lesions develop in the following days.

Lesion Progression

In severe cases, lesions go through several stages as the venom damages tissue over time:

• Day 1-2: Blister forms around bite surrounded by blue-gray ring
• Day 3-6: Blister enlarges into open lesion with dying tissue
• Day 7+: Wound expands, becomes crater-like, exposing additional layers of tissue
• Week 2+: Lesion stops expanding, redness and swelling improve
• 6+ weeks: Scarring and healing occur but may require skin grafting

Lesions are initially small, but can enlarge over inches of skin and penetrate down to muscle and bone. They most commonly occur on arms and legs.

Other Severe Reactions

In addition to skin lesions, some people may experience other concerning symptoms indicating a severe reaction. These include:

• Fever and chills as infection sets in
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Joint pain and muscle cramps
• Headache, convulsions, or seizures
• Rash or hives spreading from bite
• Blood disorders like anemia and hemolysis

If any signs of serious reaction develop, urgent medical care is needed to treat the bite effects and prevent complications.

First Aid and Treatment

If a brown recluse bite is suspected, prompt first aid can potentially lessen venom effects:

• Wash bite with soap and water
• Apply ice pack to slow venom spread
• Elevate limb if bite is on arm or leg
• Avoid scratching as it spreads venom
• Collect spider if possible for identification
• Monitor for symptoms worsening
• Seek medical care if severe reactions develop

Around the bite site, the venom breaks down blood cells and tissues. Early treatment aims to limit spread and prevent infections in lesions.

Medical Interventions

For moderate to severe reactions, doctors may:

• Clean wound and drain blisters to remove venom
• Prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection
• Give steroids and antihistamines to reduce swelling
• Debride dead tissue from wounds
• Administer antivenom in severe cases
• Perform skin grafts if wound does not heal

With prompt care, most lesions heal gradually over months, often leaving scars. Quick treatment is especially important for vulnerable groups like children and those with compromised immune systems.

Preventing Brown Recluse Bites and Infestations

The best protection against brown recluse bites is preventing encounters through smart pest control and bite avoidance strategies:

Reduce Clutter and Storage

Brown recluses thrive in dark, cluttered spaces undisturbed by humans. Keep attics, basements, closets, and sheds free of excess boxes, debris, and other clutter to eliminate hiding spots.

Inspect Items Before Reaching Blindly

Check gloves, shoes, and clothing by shaking them out before use. Look before placing hands in dark spaces like attics or under sinks. Assume spiders could be present.

Install Proper Lighting and Ventilation

Add lighting to dark corners, closets, and crawlspaces. Improve ventilation to attics, basements, and sheds. Recluses avoid well-lit and dry areas.

Seal Potential Entry Points

Plug holes, cracks, and gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and the foundation. Install weather strips around entry doors and door sweeps on exterior doors.

Clear Debris Around the Home

Keep grass trimmed and get rid of woodpiles, rocks stacks, and piles of debris near the foundation. Remove plants directly touching the house.

Use Pesticides and Traps

Apply pesticide sprays and dusts labeled for spiders along baseboards, window frames, and potential entry points. Place glue boards and other traps in infested areas.

Call a Pest Control Expert

For large infestations, work with an exterminator to treat the home and implement preventative measures to keep spiders away long-term.

With vigilance and integrated pest management, brown recluse infestations and bites can be avoided in homes within their range.

What to Do If You Find a Brown Recluse

If you encounter a spider you believe is a brown recluse, remain calm and carefully trap it:

• Get a large jar, vial, or plastic container ready
• Approach slowly and avoid sudden movements
• Gently coax spider into container using cardboard
• Slide lid or cover on quickly to secure it inside
• Double bag container to ensure spider stays inside

Having the spider contained allows for expert identification. A local extension office, university, or experienced exterminator can confirm if it is indeed a brown recluse.

If positive, implement targeted pest control measures in that area. If native spiders are ruled out, you can breathe easier knowing there is no recluse infestation.

When to Call an Exterminator

Pest management steps can help safely reduce indoor spiders. But contacting a professional exterminator is recommended in these scenarios:

• You've definitively identified brown recluses inside
• Spider sightings are frequent and increasing
• Bites or skin lesions have already occurred
• Infestation is beyond your comfort level or abilities
• Preventative treatment is desired before problems occur

Exterminators have specialized tools, knowledge and chemicals to eliminate brown recluse infestations and prevent recurrence. They can design a custom plan targeting all infested areas.

While spider-proofing measures help reduce indoor populations, there's no guaranteed way to completely eradicate brown recluses from their endemic range. But staying vigilant provides the best protection.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.