The brown recluse is a hunter spider, and nothing makes a home more attractive to these predators than lots of food. Their primary food source is small bugs. The more small bugs you have, the more attractive your home will be to a brown recluse.
Like other household pests, brown recluse spiders are nocturnal, so they often remain undetected by hiding in cracks and crevices. And they can fit through tiny spaces, so it's easy for them to get into your house.
That's why they're often found in closets, basements, garages, and storage areas. Brown recluse spiders primarily feed on insects, so if your home has an abundance of bugs, there's a good chance that you'll attract brown recluse and other types of spiders.
Brown recluse spiders prefer dark, dry, and secluded areas like basements, attics, and closets. These venomous spiders may also be found in shoes, clothes left on the floor, and even in beds.
Brown recluse spiders tend to head indoors during the winter as they search for warmth and food. They are drawn to clutter, often being drawn to attics and basements, where items are left for long periods of time.
Spiders in general are not fans of strong smells, brown recluses are no exception. Potted indoor eucalyptus played on windowsills can be a strong deterrent to spiders.
Fix cracks in your home's foundation, seal openings, and install screens and door sweeps to help prevent spider entry. Finally, eliminate clutter in storage areas, such as basements, attics, and closets.
Because of their preference for dark, small spaces, you're most likely to find brown recluse webs in corners and crevices around your home—especially in dark locations like under desks or in the garage.
Brown recluse spiders usually live in large groups, so if one is seen, most likely there are more. Sometimes brown recluse spiders travel north on food or furniture.
Tempo® Dust (cyfluthrin), a pyrethroid dust, has been evaluated by Texas A&M University and provided relatively rapid kill of brown recluse spiders under laboratory conditions.
Among 45 cases with features consistent of a BRSB, 43 (95.6%) occurred during April–October. Both the Vetter study and our study serve to demonstrate seasonal activity for brown recluse spiders.
A vacuum cleaner and some insect spray can take care of many spider problems, but homeowners should call an exterminator to deal with an outbreak of especially venomous species like confirmed brown recluse or black widow sightings around the home.
In addition to peppermint, which was mentioned earlier, you can try using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, as spiders tend to dislike these scents. You can create a homemade spider-repellent spray by mixing a few drops of these essential oils with water and applying it to spider-prone areas.
Protect yourself from spiders while sleeping by keeping your bed away from walls, using bed risers, and washing bedding regularly. Consider using lavender-scented sheets or placing cedar blocks near your bed.
Yes. They certainly can if you let them. If a recluse explores your bedroom while you're sleeping, it can crawl up bed skirts or blankets and get into bed with you.
WOODLOUSE SPIDER (Dysdera crocata)
This spider is sometimes mistaken for the brown recluse spider, though there is only a vague resemblance between the two. Yet, like the brown recluse, the woodlouse spider has six eyes and is most active at night. This spider has a ½-inch long body.
Brown recluse spider bites can cause wounds. If the wound is left untreated, the wound could result in an infection or scarring.
While many spiders are harmless and even beneficial, a brown recluse isn't one that you'll want to give free rein of your home. While they're generally not aggressive, they have been known to bite if they're cornered or feel threatened.
There are some bird species that eat brown recluse spiders and their eggs. For example, the house wren and the white-footed mouse are known to feed on brown recluse spiders. Other birds that may eat brown recluse spiders include the Carolina wren, the American goldfinch, and the northern mockingbird.
The majority of the mist ends up falling on floors and countertops. It rarely penetrates the hidden crevices where spiders live. The active ingredient used in most bug bombs doesn't work on arachnids.