What You Should Know About Brown Recluse Spiders
What Virginia Homeowners Should Know About Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders are not commonly seen crawling through Virginia homes. That does not necessarily mean they are absent. These spiders prefer dark, quiet areas where they can remain hidden for long periods.
Below are answers to common questions about brown recluse spiders, the problems they can cause, and how PestNow can help keep dangerous spiders out of your home.
Are Brown Recluse Spiders Common in Virginia?
Brown recluse spiders are not among the spiders Virginia homeowners see most often. However, they can still be brought into homes through boxes, furniture, stored belongings, and other transported items. Because brown recluse spiders avoid people and activity, an infestation may go unnoticed. Once indoors, they may hide in undisturbed areas such as:
- Attics
- Basements
- Closets
- Storage rooms
- Garages
- Cardboard boxes
- Behind furniture
- Inside wall voids
What Types of Spiders Are Commonly Found in Virginia Homes?
Virginia is home to many different spiders. Most are harmless and help control insects around the property. Common spiders found in and around homes include:
- Wolf spiders
- House spiders
- Cellar spiders
- Orb-weaver spiders
- Jumping spiders
Wolf spiders are often more noticeable because of their larger size and tendency to hunt across floors. House spiders and cellar spiders usually remain close to their webs in corners, basements, garages, and other quiet areas.
How Can You Identify a Brown Recluse Spider?
- Adult brown recluse spiders are generally between ¼ and ½ inch long. Their color can range from light tan to dark brown.
- One of their most recognizable features is a dark, violin-shaped marking behind the head.
- Brown recluse spiders also have six eyes instead of the eight eyes found on most spiders.
Are Brown Recluse Spiders Aggressive?
Brown recluse spiders are not typically aggressive. Most bites happen when the spider becomes trapped against a person's skin. This can occur when someone:
- Puts on clothing or shoes where a spider is hiding
- Reaches into a box or storage area
- Moves furniture or stored belongings
- Rolls onto a spider in bed
- Handles items kept in an attic, basement, or garage
What Are the Symptoms of a Brown Recluse Spider Bite?
A brown recluse bite may initially cause mild discomfort or go unnoticed. Symptoms can become more noticeable several hours after the bite. Possible symptoms include:
- Pain or burning around the bite
- Redness and swelling
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- A blister or sore at the bite site
In some cases, tissue around the bite may become damaged and develop into an ulcer. Reactions can vary, and not every bite causes severe symptoms. Seek medical attention if you believe you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, especially if symptoms worsen or the affected area begins to change.
What Attracts Spiders to a Home?
Common factors that may attract spiders include:
- Beetles, flies, centipedes, and other insects
- Exterior lights that attract flying pests
- Cracks and gaps around the foundation
- Openings around windows and doors
- Damaged screens
- Cluttered storage areas
- Quiet, undisturbed rooms
- Moisture in basements, crawl spaces, or garages
A noticeable spider population may indicate that other pest activity is present nearby.
How Can Homeowners Help Keep Brown Recluse Spiders Out?
Homeowners can make their property less inviting to spiders by taking a few preventive steps:
- Seal cracks and openings around the exterior
- Repair damaged window and door screens
- Install weather stripping around doors
- Reduce clutter in garages, closets, and storage rooms
- Store belongings in sealed plastic containers
- Shake out shoes and clothing before wearing them
- Vacuum webs and hidden corners regularly
- Reduce insect activity around the home
- Keep firewood and stored materials away from the foundation
- Limit unnecessary exterior lighting at night
When Should You Call PestNow?
Contact PestNow if you repeatedly find spiders indoors, discover spiders in clothing or storage areas, notice egg sacs or webs, or believe you may have seen a brown recluse.
