How Worried Should I Be About Brown Recluse Spiders In Streator, Illinois?

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is not a common pest in Streator, Illinois. This spider species has a distribution across Iowa in into Southern Illinois. But an infestation can occur when brown recluse spiders hitchhike in boxes and other items. In cases like this, brown recluse spiders can take root in a home and grow their populations without ever going outside. They can feed on bugs and insects in the voids of a home and produce a surprising number of offspring. If you see a recluse in your Streator home, here are a few steps to help you protect yourself and everyone living in your home.

Step One: Determine that it is definitely a brown recluse spider.

There are some spiders that can be mistaken for brown recluse spiders because they are brown in color. If you see a brown or tan colored spider, look to see if it has a dark brown violin mark on its back. The stem of the violin marking will point away from the head. These spiders are around ⅜ of an inch long and have legs that grow to be up to 1 ½ inches. This makes them a little larger than a quarter. While they have fine hairs, they appear to be hairless.

Step Two: Understand the real threat brown recluse spiders present.

Have you seen the horrible pictures of disfiguring wounds caused by the venom of brown recluse spiders? Keep in mind that these are the exception, not the rule. While you should certainly be cautious about having brown recluse spiders in your home, you do not have to be fearful. Most bites have only localized necrosis. If bitten, you should definitely have the wound checked out by a physician but most bites are not a serious threat. Also, keep in mind that bites from brown recluse spiders are rare. If you refrain from going into secluded areas of your home and take measures to prevent bites, you need not be concerned about getting bitten as you wait to have these spiders eliminated by a professional—and you should have them eliminated by a professional. It is not wise to go without having these spiders treated. Brown recluse spiders can reproduce quickly, and as more spiders are hatched in your home, your chances of being bitten will increase.