Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Spiders: Black Widow Spider | Brown Recluse Spider | House Spider (American house Spider)

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Brown Recluse Spider	Loxosceles Reclusa	Arachnida	Araneae	Loxoscelidae

	Size:
	Varies in size, but adult with legs extended is about the size of a U.S. quarter. The adult females vary from 7 to 12 mm in length, averaging about 9 mm, and the males are a little smaller, averaging about 8 mm.
	Characteristics:
	Body is covered with small hairs presenting a velvety appearance. Most definitive physical feature is eyes: most other spiders have eight eyes that typically are arranged in two rows of four but recluse spiders have six equal-sized eyes arranged in three pairs of 2, called dyads. Abdomen and legs are uniformly colored with no stripes, bands or mottling. Legs are long, thin, and lack conspicuous spines. The most distinguishing feature is a dark violin-shaped mark on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear (abdomen) of the spider. This feature is consistent in adult brown recluses, but sometimes less obvious in younger spiders. Brown recluse spiders have remarkably small fangs and cannot bite through clothing. The Brown Recluse Spider is the proper common name for only one species, Loxosceles reclusa.
	Color:
	Body color varies from light brown to dark brown. Recently molted individuals have a lighter color. The medium-sized, irregular web is made up of a maze of very sticky threads that extend in all directions without a definite pattern--an off-white or grayish, nondescript, "cobweb-type" webbing.
	Where Found:
	Throughout the south central and mid-western United States, such as southern parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, in Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, and parts of Nebraska, and southward to the Gulf of Mexico. In the state of California there are no populations of the Brown Recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, and fewer than 10 verified specimens have been collected over several decades. Although the brown recluse does not live in California, the state does have four species of native recluse spiders. The most common Californian Recluse Spider is the Desert Recluse, L. deserta, found mostly in the Sonora and Mojave deserts, in the foothills of the lower San Joaquin Valley, and in adjacent areas of Mexico. Occasionally, one or a few spiders may be transported to a non-native area in boxes or furnishings, but infestations seldom become established.
	Comparison:
	Due to six eyes arranged in the same pattern, Spitting Spiders and Woodlouse Spiders are misidentified as Brown Recluse Spiders. Many common tan or gray spiders have dark markings on the head region, which convinces people that they have caught a bona fide Recluse Spider. These spiders include Cellar Spiders, Pirate Spiders, and Sheet Web Spiders.
	Habitat:
	Live outdoors in cracks and crevices in and under rocks. Emerge from retreats at night and actively hunt down prey or may wait for prey to land in the small area several inches from retreat. Do not build webs to capture prey, but do use silk to build retreat in which to hide during the day. As dawn approaches, may crawl into dark places such as clothing, trousers, or shoes. Mature males roam in search of females. Readily found under trash cans, plywood, tarps, tires, in boxes, etc.
	Food:
	Nocturnal activity foraging food. Prey on firebrats, cockroaches, crickets, and other soft bodied insects. Well-known for surviving long periods (6-12 months)without food before perishing.
	Biology:
	After mating, which occurs from February to October within its natural range, 40 to 50 eggs are deposited in off-white round, 6 mm silken cases. From one to five egg sacs are produced in a lifetime, which normally averages from one to two years or may be up to four years. Spiderlings emerge from eggs in 25 to 39 days and resemble adults but lighter in color.
	Damage:
	If bit, Humans may develop necrosis (killed tissue) at the site of the bite. Victim may not be aware of being bitten for 2 or 3 hours, or a painful reaction may occur immediately. A stinging sensation is usually followed by intense pain. Local pain is frequently quite intense, and the area surrounding the bite remains congested and hard to touch for some time. The tissue affected locally by the venom is killed and gradually sloughs away, exposing the underlying muscles. Healing takes place slowly, perhaps 6 to 8 weeks. End result is a sunken scar resembling "a hole punched or scooped from the body". Scars ranging from the size of a penny to less than a quarter have been reported.
	Invasion:
	Non aggressive, with most bites occurring in response to body pressure when spider is inadvertently trapped against bare skin. Some people are bitten when they roll over one in bed. Other bites occur while moving stored items or putting on a piece of clothing that a spider has chosen for its daytime retreat.
	Control:
	Note: In California, there are no known established populations of this spider. Spider control is a six-step process. In general, control strategy should include: 1) Inspection- Determines conditions that might need correction in order to achieve desired level of control. 2) Identification- Determines target pest and possibly treatment strategy due to species habits. 3) Prevention- Building conditions allowing entry. Lighting that may attract their prey. 4) Sanitation- Debris outside such as wood-piles, high weeds, rocks and overgrown shrubs give shelter. Indoors eliminate clutter and vacuum areas out of normal access regularly. 5) Mechanical Measures- mechanical removal of webs greatly enhances a control program. Since spiders reuse their silk, a light dusting of remaining webs with a non-repellant insecticide dust will aid in control 6) Pesticide Application- Application of pest control materials will reduce the active population and give overall control when performed along with the above listed recommendations. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. For large infestations or multiple sightings of spiders, we recommend using the services of a professional exterminator.