NBR: Does anyone know what a brown recluse spider looks like?

Cilley

So I am starting to freak out because we find spiders in our house once in a while.  I am not comforted by the thought that a spider might find its' way to my baby when he is finally here.  We think we might have killed a brown recluse, but not exactly sure if we identified it correctly.  It looked like the same size as the ones I googled, but the difference was that there was a black pattern on its' back.  I would post the pic, but I am not sure how to do it on the Bump. Can anyone help me? TIA!

ClaireCecilia

Is the pattern like this one?

ehair

My Dad was bit by one years ago - they are brown and have a fiddle on their back.  Hope that helps!

ClaireCecilia

You can upload your picture to photobucket then use the code to put on here (cant remember if it is the html or IMG code..I always forget).

MrsSteelerTeacherLady

https://www.insectidentification.org/

Maybe this site can help- gl! 

amiserip

They are pretty big and have long legs--They don't look like an ordinary spider.  They are lightish brown and have the shape of a violin on the back, near the eyes.  They usually come out at night (we saw ours at 2am) and like to hide in dark places, usually clothes, especially if they're not used so often.  They can also hide in your sheets--I shake mine and look under the sheets every night.  I shake every article of clothing and look in my shoes.  Try not to have furniture up against the walls as they can crawl up them easier that way and can nest in your sofas and chairs:

 

taylorsue00

amiserip:

They are pretty big and have long legs--They don't look like an ordinary spider.  They are lightish brown and have the shape of a violin on the back, near the eyes.  They usually come out at night (we saw ours at 2am) and like to hide in dark places, usually clothes, especially if they're not used so often.  They can also hide in your sheets--I shake mine and look under the sheets every night.  I shake every article of clothing and look in my shoes.  Try not to have furniture up against the walls as they can crawl up them easier that way and can nest in your sofas and chairs:

 

this picture just gave me the willies!!!

kamirae

They can actually range in size and color from very light brown to dark brown.  There are many "look alike" recluse spiders as well.  They are just that - recluse- you wont just see them hanging out around the house.  They are mostly in dark crevices and if you get bit its by complete accident.  It is wise to shake out shoes, clothes, sheets, etc that are have been in the closet or drawer non disturbed.  My parents home that they built in 92 has always been infested with them.  AFter extensive research from different facilities (Pest control companies, University of KY, etc) it has been determined the eggs must have been in the insulation that was put in at construction.  To date, no one has been bit.  

kamirae

I would keep the one you killed and show it to a pest control company.  Also, they do play dead as well -seriously.  So make sure he is dead.  

wifeofaussie

kamirae:

I would keep the one you killed and show it to a pest control company.  Also, they do play dead as well -seriously.  So make sure he is dead.  

Good idea!  I was bitten by one a few years ago and was lucky in that I saw it happen so I was treated before the bite ulcerated too badly but the meds were pretty brutal.  The one that bit me had the fiddle PP have mentioned.

Cilley

Thx all for your help and comments.  We are now pretty sure it wasn't a brown recluse.  We will go and ask an expert what we saw.