Description of Pest: As their name implies, Brown Recluse spiders are expert avoiders, particularly when it comes to humans. They are hunters that are active only at night.
Size: .5 inches.
Color: Yellowish all the way to darker browns.
Habitat: Similar to the Black Widow, Brown Recluse spiders prefer to build webs in dark, secluded places. They hunt at night but do not use the web to capture prey, only for nesting. Their webs are tight as opposed to sprawling and often look hastily made.
Food: They wander at night for prey such as ground insects, mosquitoes, and moths.
Behavior: While they prefer to avoid predators or having to bite, they will attack if their web or nest is disturbed. Otherwise they prefer to remain out of site. Their bite can be quite painful and is characterized by severe white blistering which can change to darker blacks or blues. Different people have different tolerance levels to the venom.
Prevention: As with Black Widows, cleanliness is the best preventative measure. Ensure the following:
- Clearing wood piles and debris.
- Minimizing clutter.
- Seal cracks and other entryways to your home around windows and doors.
- Wearing gloves when working outside around possible nesting areas.
The moment you see a Brown Recluse in your home, you should contact a pest control professional immediately.
Contact Clegg’s for an inspection of your North Carolina home
