Facts And Fiction Of The Brown Recluse Spider
Spiders are creepy crawly creatures that strike fear into the heart of every arachnophobe, but the fact of the matter is that most spiders in the U.S. aren't actually harmful to humans. Of the 3,000 species of spider living in North America, there are only four species with a venomous bite that can hurt humans. One of those four venomous spiders is the brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders live mostly in the southwest, southeastern, and south central parts of the United States. Because of the fear of their dangerous bite, there are many myths that exist about this tricky spider. Here are a few of the truths and the myths about the brown recluse.
FACTS
Venomous
Brown recluse spiders are indeed venomous and their bite can cause painful necrotic skin lesions in some victims. However, for the vast majority of bite victims, the result is only inflammation, itching, and discomfort. But for 10% of bite victims, the result can be severe tissue damage and scarring. Deaths caused by the brown recluse bite are extremely rare, though some children have died as a result of a brown recluse bite and slow diagnosis.
Reclusive
As the name implies, the brown recluse is in fact a recluse. It prefers to hide in dark places and would much rather be left alone than attack a human. Recluses build silk retreats where they can stay hidden during the day. They are primarily active at night and their webs are constructed to act as trigger systems that will let the spider know if something has touched the web so it can emerge and eat. Sometimes their reclusive behavior causes them to hide in dark places like shoes, bedsheets, or piles of clothing, which is where trouble can arise when they come into contact with humans.
FICTION
Multiple Bites
One major myth of the brown recluse that causes people to falsely believe they've been bitten is that they bite multiple times. In fact, these spiders (and, in fact, most spiders) typically only bite once, usually as a last ditch defense against being crushed against flesh (for example, a person rolling over in their sleep). A bite wound with multiple swelling lesions is usually the result of arthropods like fleas, bed bugs, mites, etc.
Impossible to Eradicate
Another myth of the brown recluse is that it's impossible to eradicate them once they've taken up residence in your home. This is also false. Though the task is more difficult than some household pests, a good pest control company will be able to provide effective spider control against the brown recluse through pesticides, traps, and eliminating insect prey.
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