Many household spiders are harmless, if unsettling guests, but there are two poisonous spiders in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding areas that you need to look out for. One is the menacing-sounding black widow. The other is the brown recluse.

What Are Brown Recluse Spiders?

Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal hunting spiders indigenous to the central part of the United States. They are roughly the size of a quarter and most easily identified by a violin-shaped mark on their back. While they primarily reside outside, they love human habitats and will seek shelter in unsuspecting homes. Once inside, they may spread throughout the house, including the attic, basement, and wall cavities. If left unchecked, you could end up with hundreds of spiders in your home.
As the name suggests, brown recluses are shy, discreet creatures that stay out of site during the day. They also do not reveal their presence by constructing webs to catch their prey. Instead, they hunt at night, eating a diet of other insects, both dead and alive. A population may even persist just by consuming each other.

Brown recluses are most active in the summer, from June through September. They live an average of 2-4 years, however, so they can be found year-round.

Are Brown Recluse Spiders Dangerous?

The short answer is yes, they are dangerous. Their bites usually require immediate medical attention as they can be extremely necrotic, causing everything from a mild reaction to devastating skin lesions that require surgery. Severe reactions may go systemic. Those most at risk of complications from the venom are under 16 and over 50, though nasty reactions may occur for victims of any age.

While the spiders are not aggressive, they often bite when encountering a human accidentally. The most common place to be bitten is while sleeping in bed, when a spider crawls between the covers and finds itself stuck against a person’s skin. Many bites also occur when individuals put on clothing that has been left on the floor. If you suspect you have an infestation, always be sure to shake your shoes or laundry items to check for spiders.

How Can I Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders?

There are some DIY methods you can use to get rid of these spiders, such as spraying to kill them and glue boards to trap them. Eradication is slow with these methods, if not impossible.
Tent fumigation is the only immediate, long-term solution as it destroys both the spiders and the eggs. McCarthy Pest Control has been successfully fumigating for brown recluse spiders for over 8 years, saving countless homeowners from the frustration and medical risk of living with an invasion.

McCarthy also offers a service to detect an infestation. This can help a potential homeowner vet a property before closing the deal on a complete nightmare.

ST. LOUIS Pest Control

Think you have a brown recluse spider infestation? Call McCarthy Pest & Termite Control today. With our six-point inspection process, we will help you eradicate these dangerous insects from your home and prevent them from returning. We offer free on-site estimates and can even provide same-day service.