Brown Recluse (Loxosceles Reclusa)

Color:   Light to dark brown, with characteristic dark brown violin marking on back.
Legs:   Eight
Shape:   Round
Size:   5/8″
Antennae:   No
Flight:   No

Brown Recluse spiders are most often found in Arkansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Iowa Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma but they will hide in packages and can be found anywhere in the United States this way.

Studies show that the brown recluse spider can be found in 4% of all homes.

Habits
The brown recluse spider lives a solitary life and will nest in any dark, undisturbed area.

Habitat
The brown recluse spider inhabits hollow trunks or underneath rocks when outdoors. Indoors it will hide in any dark space, including shoes, toys, books and furniture.

Threats
Brown recluse spiders will bite when threatened, usually when people attempt to put on clothing or shoes they are in or press against them while sleeping. The bite can be fatal, though this is rare. The bite typically causes a painful lesion which resembles a boil.

Prevention
Clean homes regularly and thoroughly. Keep clothing picked up off the floor. Seal potential outside entry points and call a professional pest control agency to remove this pest.