Brown Recluse Spider – Brown Recluse Spider Bite
April 14th, 2009 Posted in Spiders & Other Arachnids
Its name sounds pretty menacing; it seems to imply that the brown recluse spider hides so it can make a surprise attack on you. They do hide, but not to seek you. They’d much rather prey upon bugs, while they only bite people out of defense.
This article will explain:
- Identification of the brown recluse spider
- Habitat
- Habits
- Life cycle
Finally, it will discuss the brown recluse spider bite, symptoms and treatment.
Identification
- About 3/8″ in body length
- 6 eyes (spiders usually have 8 ) arranged in pairs–one pair in front and a pair on each side
- Dark violin shape on the cephalothorax
- Light-colored legs with no stripes
- Cream to dark brown colored abdomen
- Fine hairs on the legs
Habitat
Native to the United States, the brown recluse spider can be found in central Midwestern states southward to the Gulf of Mexico.
In nature: At night, brown recluse spiders hunt for live or dead insects. If you see a brown recluse in daylight, it’s probably because it’s hungry, overcrowded, or pesticide has been applied. Female brown recluses produces up to 5 egg sacs in a lifetime. These 1/3″ diameter off-white silken egg sacs contain about 40-50 eggs from which tiny spiders emerge and gradually increase in size, molting 5-6 times before reaching adulthood. The molted skins are rigid and can be useful in identifying a brown recluse infestation. Infestation levels range from one spider to several hundred! In about a year, these spiders are mature. The average lifespan of brown recluse spiders is 2-4 years. This spider, like others, is not aggressive, and you could very well have an infestation, never know, and never be bitten. Most bites are a reaction to body pressure, like when a brown recluse is trapped against bare skin, like in a shoe or when someone rolls over one in bed. Their fangs are small, so they cannot bite through clothing. You can avoid getting a bite by wearing gloves and long sleeved clothing when handling boxes and other items in storage. Brown recluse spider bite symptoms:
In the home:
Brown recluse spiders also like to crawl into clothes, shoes, and boxes that have been in storage and remained untouched for awhile. Habits
During the day, these guys hide in dark, secluded areas, which they line with irregular webs used to form egg sacs. Adult females typically stay in their hiding spots, while males and young spiders tend to travel farther.Life Cycle
Brown Recluse Spider Bite
If one does bite, the bite itself is usually painless leaving the victim unaware until symptoms appear 3-8 hours later. The bite becomes red, swollen and tender, usually remaining localized and healing within 3 weeks without need for medical attention beyond applying ice and elevating the area.
However, some cases call for medical intervention. For example, a victim may develop a necrotic lesion, which appears as a dry, sinking bluish patch with a pale center and a red halo. There may also be a central blister in this case. A necrotic lesion can last for several months and leave a deep scar.
Sometimes bites cause fever, chills, dizziness, rashes or vomiting.
Children, elderly and people in poor health may have more severe reactions. Any person bitten by a brown recluse should seek medical attention immediately instead of waiting to find out how severe the reaction will be.
Brown recluse spider bite treatment:
If you think you’ve been bitten, it’s a good idea to try to collect the specimen in order to confirm that you were actually bitten by a brown recluse spider. This will enable your physician to give you the right treatment.
9 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By Jody Hilsendager on Jul 27, 2009
Last year I had several brown recluse spider bites, I had to resort to harsh chemical spray in my home, which is worse??? I would like to find an environmentally safe, pet and human safe product to use in my home to take care of my spider problem.
By david sullivan on Aug 26, 2009
I am trying to convince my parents not to use Terminex to treat the house for brown recluses… I’m really worried about Pyrethins and Cyfluthrin chemicals and their negative effects as neuro-toxins and possible carcinogens. We also have a newborn that comes the house every once in awhile. they have found 12 spiders in the last few days, and I had gotten bit a few weeks ago. They started to get super worried as they found more spiders with sticky traps and are starting to get very freaked out. I don’t want them to spend 600 bucks on a carcinogenic insecticide… Could I use EcoSMART on the baseboards instead of traditional insecticides?
-David in Little Rock Arkansas
By tony on Sep 22, 2009
Do not get yor website. All you have is commnents and questions..no anwers to..or how to contact you whwre to buy your products
By faye thomas on Jun 25, 2010
we live in a wooded place and have noticed all kinds of spiders in the house.the recluse is a hunter and stalker.we also have cockroaches.would this products help with both problems
By rachelle journey on Jul 16, 2010
I’ve had brown recluse spider problems for years! My husband was bit last month. Their bite is nasty. It is surprising the rest of us haven’t been bit! yesterday I found twelve in my son’s room. Later I check the rest of the house and found about that many more in various places. I hate to spray but I’m sick of spider hunting and worrying about everyone getting bit!
By Bill Timmer on Jul 28, 2010
I hate spiders! i need this insecticide to de-spider my house!
By Bob the Hedge Apple Guy on Aug 8, 2010
Have you ever tried the organic method? Hedge apples work great.
By some guy on Nov 18, 2010
try bleach? i heard it can be diluted with water to also kill other creepers like fleas or other crawlies
By J Mink on Nov 30, 2010
For David Sullivan >I was also bit by a Brown Recluse several years ago around this time of year. (foolishly putting up christmas lights at night) I dont know much about the results of spraying but for me it would me more desirable to ensure the spiders are not around if you have a small child visiting the house- Keep in mind the spiders are not affected by the spray unless they come into contact with it. (per my bug spraying company)
My bite fortunatly was mild in size but I was given 5 courses of antibiotics by my dr. Then i did some research & I came across a product online that I ordered and it worked. I keep it in the house & I tell everyone about it. google “brown recluse first aid kit” 1st website that pops up is the kit i purchased and it worked. I have no scar on my leg- just some redness (the bite actually grew a little larger than the size of 1/2 dollar) I actually spoke to a a person who had written a testimonial & she swore by the product & now so do I. Good luck