Brown Recluse Spiders

How to identify brown recluse spiders

Light to medium brown, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in body, with a distinctive darker violin-shaped marking on the top of the head and body — the 'neck' of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. Unlike most spiders it has six eyes arranged in three pairs rather than eight. Its legs are uniformly colored, and it lacks bands or spines.

Behavior & biology

Brown recluses are non-aggressive and, true to the name, seek out quiet, undisturbed harborage — cardboard boxes, stored clothing, behind baseboards, in attics and closets, and inside seldom-moved furniture. They're most active at night, hunting rather than relying on a web to catch prey. Populations can build quietly in storage areas over time, which is why a thorough inspection matters.

Why brown recluse spiders matter

Most brown recluse bites occur when the spider is trapped against skin — in a shoe, glove, or bedding. Many bites heal uneventfully, but some develop into a slow-healing ulcerated wound that needs medical attention. The real concern for homeowners is that their hiding habits put them in clothing, linens, and storage where accidental contact happens.

DIY vs. professional control

Spot-spraying visible spiders misses the hidden harborage where recluses actually live and breed. Professional control combines a careful inspection of storage and voids, targeted treatment and dusting of harborage areas, glue-board monitoring to gauge the population, and guidance on reducing clutter that gives them shelter.

How Definity treats brown recluse spiders

Definity addresses brown recluse spiders with a detailed inspection of closets, attics, and storage, targeted treatment and dusting of harborage and voids, and monitoring boards to track the population over time. Johnny Lockridge recommends pairing treatment with de-cluttering and storing items in sealed bins — recluses need quiet hiding spots, and removing those does as much as any product to bring numbers down.