Brown Recluse Spiders in Illinois and Indiana Found throughout Illinois and Indiana, brown recluse spiders are rare outside their native range. In general, these spiders are widely over-reported and less common than perceived.
Where in Indiana do brown recluse spiders live?
The brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) can be found in almost any county in the southern half of Indiana and becomes less common as you travel north.
What does a brown recluse look like in Indiana?
There are fine hairs on the body, but it is difficult to see these with the naked eye. You may find that other markings are on the spider. These include stripes, spots, diamonds, and chevrons. The spiders are either tan or a dark-colored brown.
How do you tell if a spider is a brown recluse?
For laypersons, the most distinguishing feature of a brown recluse 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.
How common are brown recluse in Indiana Related Questions
Should I be worried if I saw a brown recluse in my house?
If you spot one of these venomous spiders in your home, it’s best to call a pest control professional to remove any trace of them. If an exterminator can’t immediately apply treatment, you can try DIY methods such as sticky traps and insect repellent while you wait.
Should you be worried if you find a brown recluse in your house?
Signs of a brown recluse spider infestation mainly include spotting one, or noticing webs in and around the home. If you have an infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.
What attracts brown recluse spiders in the house?
There are two ways a home can be attractive to a brown recluse. If the exterior of a home has weeds and overgrowth, a woodpile, construction materials, rocks, or other hiding places, the brown recluse will feel welcome. Inside a home, they can be found hiding in closets, attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
How do you keep brown recluse out of your bed?
Essential oils such as lavender, mint and lemon are known to keep brown recluse spiders away.
How did a brown recluse get in my bed?
It could be the blankets of an unmade bed. It may even be a shoe or a boot. Shake items before using them or putting them on. And look before you slide into bed.
What’s the most poisonous spider in Indiana?
Only two species found in Indiana are capable of inflicting serious injury to humans. While both the brown recluse and black widow spiders are known as venomous, neither is aggressive. Bites from them are quite rare. Black widow spiders live in undisturbed locations and are rarely found in homes.
Would I know if I got bit by a brown recluse?
Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite include: Reddened skin that may be followed by a blister that forms at the bite site. Mild to intense pain and itching for 2 to 8 hours following the bite. An open sore (ulcer) with a breakdown of tissue (necrosis) that develops a week or more following the bite.
What is the biggest spider in Indiana?
Six-Spotted Fishing Spider. Tiger Wolf Spider. Black and Yellow Garden Spider. American Nursery Web Spider. Female nursery web spiders are known for consuming their mates. Long-Bodied Cellar Spider. A cellar spider has a very unique translucent body.
Do brown recluse spiders hide in beds?
When indoors, brown recluses favor cardboard because it mimics rotting tree bark. They can also be found in boxes, clothing, shoes, tires, bedding, furniture and storage areas. And if you spot one of these spiders, there may be many more hiding in your home.
Are brown recluses aggressive?
Yet even in heavily infested structures, brown recluse are indeed reclusive, not aggressive, and bites rarely occur. Nevertheless, physicians often misdiagnose many unrelated injuries as “brown recluse bites.” When they do occur, bites are rarely as serious as they have been portrayed.
What smell puts off spiders?
Spiders really don’t like strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. Add 15 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or a couple of capfuls of Zoflora fragrance to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around the house.
Is it bad to squish a brown recluse?
When you’re freaking out, you’re likely to make bad decisions. One of these bad decisions is trying to physically hit or squish a brown recluse. Doing so puts you in close proximity to the spider and makes it feel threatened. This is a combination that significantly increases your chances of getting bit.
How long can you survive a brown recluse bite?
Bites from the brown recluse spider almost never result in death but can cause serious skin damage, nausea, and muscle pain. With proper care, mild bites resolve within days to weeks, while more severe cases can take months to heal.
Are brown recluse spiders active at night?
Brown recluse are most active at night. During the day they rest in hidden locations within the structures they infest.
Do brown recluse spiders chase you?
Unlike some spider species that use their webs to ensnare their prey, brown recluse spiders are nocturnal hunters. They chase down their victims.
What eats brown recluse spiders?
Wolf spiders. Crickets. Praying mantis. Robins. Wrens. Chickens. Spider wasps. Centipedes.