Spiders inspire fear in many people. While spiders can be quite frightening to look at, most of them are harmless to both humans and pets. However, this is not always the case. Brown recluse spiders fall into the same category as the black widow spiders; they both are venomous and can cause some serious health issues.
The body of brown recluse spiders can grow as big as 3/8” in size; these spiders can range from light or dark brown to slightly yellow in color. They also have a violin-shaped pattern on the back of their body where the legs are attached. Their legs can be up to 1 ½” long and are darker than the rest of its body. Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal predators, and like living in dark, undisturbed places. They do not spin webs to catch their food; instead, they go out at night to hunt and trap their food. During the day, brown recluse spiders spend their time hidden away. These spiders can go without food for months at a time; this is how they get from place to place in furniture, boxes, bags, and the like for long periods of time. Brown recluse spiders usually lay their eggs between May and July. Within the span of those few months, a female can create several egg sacs, each containing about fifty eggs. Since these spiders can reproduce so quickly, they can be very difficult to eliminate.
For the most part, brown recluse spiders can be found in the southwestern parts of the United States, including southern Illinois. However, these spiders can also be transported in bags, boxes, and other types of packaging from other states. Outside, they remain hidden in sheds and garages, or underneath piles of rocks, leaves, wood, or debris. Once they find their way indoors, these spiders will hide in basements, attics, and closets.
The main threat that brown recluse spiders present is their bite. These spiders are not aggressive by nature but will bite if they are cornered or feel trapped. A brown recluse spider bite may cause redness, swelling, burning pain, and itchiness for several hours afterward. The area around the bite may turn purple or develop a dark blue circle. You may also develop a headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, rash, and a fever. Usually, the bites will heal on their own, but if the site begins to ulcerate, it will be hard to prevent infection or disfiguration. A brown recluse spider bite is rarely fatal.
These spiders are a menace to homeowners all over the United States, mostly due to their ability to be transported from state to state inside packages and establish a new population with just a single spider.
If your home is in our service area and is infested with brown recluse spiders, contact us today at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. We have the tools and the expertise to eliminate them effectively and efficiently with year-round pest control options in Bettendorf, IL.