Is This Flesh-Eating Spider Living in Your City?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37621)
November 18, 2022 1:38pm CST
Spiders are not just creepy on Halloween, but anytime, especially if you spot one in your home. And if you live in certain states in the U.S., they just got a lot scarier!
The Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is native to the U.S. and has established itself in quite a number of states in North America. This spider's venom is capable of destroying human flesh, the reason for it being considered one of the most dangerous arthropods in the spider kingdom.
Even though they can be found in the home, fortunately, Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive. As a result, brown recluse bites are relatively rare and when they do occur, it is usually because a spider is trapped against the skin and feels threatened, for example if someone rolls onto one while sleeping. Still, I prefer they sleep alone and not with me. 
The bite of brown recluse may feel like a pinprick and is usually painless. Usual symptoms of a spider bite are redness, swelling and tenderness. With the Brown recluse the symptoms are different.
HOW TO TELL IF IT'S A BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER BITE:
-The skin area does not turn red but pale or blue.
-Intense pain after 24 hours.
-Black scab forms leading to rotting dead skin tissue and a nasty scar.
ADDITIONAL FACT:
Brown Recluse Spiders may seek shelter in storage boxes, shoes, clothing, folded linens, hanging picture frames and behind furniture.
Gee, I hope they don't reside in your state and if they do, be careful with your spring cleaning! 
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Do spiders give you the creeps? Do you know any spiders as dangerous as the Brown Recluse Spider? Do you want to know if their found in your state?
Source: Newsweek
Deadly Spiders, U.S., Brown recluse, Interesting Facts
The bite of brown recluse may feel like a pinprick and is usually painless. Usual symptoms of a spider bite are redness, swelling and tenderness. With the Brown recluse the symptoms are different.
HOW TO TELL IF IT'S A BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER BITE:
-The skin area does not turn red but pale or blue.
-Intense pain after 24 hours.
-Black scab forms leading to rotting dead skin tissue and a nasty scar.
ADDITIONAL FACT:
Brown Recluse Spiders may seek shelter in storage boxes, shoes, clothing, folded linens, hanging picture frames and behind furniture.
Gee, I hope they don't reside in your state and if they do, be careful with your spring cleaning!
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Do spiders give you the creeps? Do you know any spiders as dangerous as the Brown Recluse Spider? Do you want to know if their found in your state?
Source: Newsweek
Deadly Spiders, U.S., Brown recluse, Interesting Facts13 people like this
14 responses
@rebelann (117281)
• El Paso, Texas
29 May 23
Oh yeah, we have them here as well as the black widow, I'm not sure which one is scarier but I don't like either one to be too close.
Some things you might try plant to make them go away is peppermint or catnip, they don't seem to like those two plants. Of course with the Black Widow you'd never see her outdoors, she's a night spidey and seeks dark places to weave her web.
I'll have to be careful once my motivation comes back home .... I've been waiting but the damn thing is allusive.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117281)
• El Paso, Texas
1 Jun 23
You're right widows have a really bad rap but honestly if you don't mess around in dark areas you probably won't encounter one ...... I have because I've cleaned out the dog house and one was living in it and another place was under a pallet that covered an old tire but it's always easy to know they're there because of the heavy duty webs they weave.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
31 May 23
From researching spiders, I found many dangerous ones that live in Australia. Lots of desert territory to slink around. I've got to get me some peppermint plants or oil, they seem to keep many insects away.
Black widows have a nasty reputation!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
3 Jun 23
@rebelann So, they are the king of the web makers. Fortunately, although seeing some impressive webs from spiders, I've never encountered one.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15372)
• Hong Kong
19 Nov 22
We have spiders here, but not as dangerous as the Brown Recluse Spider. In any case, I'm scared of any insects, including spiders.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@Beestring Probably not from what I've read. They prefer forested upland areas and prefer sandy clay, shale or basaltic soils that can retain moisture more effectively.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Australia has one of the deadliest spiders in the world called the Sydney Funnel Web Spider.
It's found nearly exclusively in Sydney, with fangs that can pierce through fingernails, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes. Most spiders where I live are not deadly just common spiders.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15372)
• Hong Kong
21 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thank you for the facts about this deadly spider. Are they commonly found near residential area in Sydney?
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
18 Nov 22
In one of my former residents in Lake Charles where a spider had a web on the pole outside of the front door of the home.
I do not like spiders at all and I am careful not to mess with one at all.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122367)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
21 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thank you for sharing the information about the spiders since in some cartoon shows, the aunt of Peter Parker who is secretly Spider Man in some shows is scared of spiders as well the alter ego of Wordgirl who was on PBS Kids Becky Botsford is scared of spiders herself.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@Deepizzaguy Seems even in the movies spiders are not to be messed with...
I remember watching the movie Arachnophobia a real horror thriller of a film about spiders. CREEPY!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
I'm not afraid of spiders although after doing some research I'm definitely more respectful of them.
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
19 Nov 22
I don't like most spiders, this one is even scarier.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
For now, Michigan is safe from this creepy web monster 
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thanks for this update, I'm glad to be informed about this harmful spider.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
19 Nov 22
I don't like spiders; but I hate ants worse. Australia has some deadly spiders and snakes. I'm pretty sure there are brown recluse spiders in Ohio. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
21 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thank you for the info on the Funnel Web Spider. I'll be sure not to go to Australia now. They have too many deadly things.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@LindaOHio They do seem to have their share of deadly spiders
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Yes, the Brown Recluse has been found there! FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
You got me curious. What is the deadliest spider in Australia? Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the deadliest in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes.
Brown Recluse Spiders seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they naturally inhabit.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
I'm not afraid of spiders although after doing some research I'm definitely more respectful of them
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas are states where they have been spotted.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@CarolDM You welcome. Glad I've never encountered one in my state.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
20 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 I can vouch for a few of those states. And they are scary to see. Thanks for the information.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209208)
• United States
18 Nov 22
They are around here unfortunately. I am not sure if I have seen one in the house, but they certainly have appeared on the porch.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209208)
• United States
20 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Actually, I think what I thought was a Brown Recluse is a wolf spider. They look quite similar.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Yikes! FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Brown Recluse Spiders seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they naturally inhabit.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
19 Nov 22
I am miles away from spider and so would not know what type they are
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
20 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 I would be both cautious and afraid
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Lucky you! Would you be cautious or afraid of one if you did encounter a spider. Or do they not bother you?
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
18 Nov 22
I believe that one is Midwest. We are from there originally. My sister swears they are out here and think that is the one that got me. I am like contrary many of these spiders are like plants they can only live in their environments.
Where nature got it right once because like other ones they can travel world and invade like no other. There is the Black widow in California but its getting ran out too to by the brown widow. They say not as dangerous I say much less dangerous as how tiny their fangs are compared to female black widow but they can populate a area a black widow never could. Nature is always pulling a fast one on us. I think I will take they might be able to bite me over they can definitely bite me anytime. The most dangerous spider with most poison is daddy long legs, that just cannot penetrate human skin though.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
I see many Daddy Long legs and tiny spiders where I am but thankfully no Brown Recluse yet. I've read there are 30 species of Black widow spiders, and they are found throughout the world. Their bite produces some nasty symptoms but are not fatal except to small children and the elderly much like the Brown Recluse.
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Brown Recluse Spiders seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they naturally inhabit.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
20 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thanks bud that is very useful to me or at least I enjoy understanding that. Very educational and people should also if they want to stay alive. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@crossbones27 Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed the educational info. Finding out a new fact is always enlightening 
@FourWalls (86910)
• United States
19 Nov 22
Spiders generally don’t bother me, but I’m very careful to look in things like my work gloves in the garage before I grab some weeds…just in case a Brown recluse is reclusing in there!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Ha, ha. I actually dislike their webs more than them. Especially when I unexpectedly run into a big one, ick!
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40061)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Nov 22
They are around here. Luckily I have never seen one.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
Yes, they seem to be inhabiting many states now.
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502886)
• Italy
21 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 If by Hobo spider, you are talking about the "Eratigena agrestis", that is also present in Europe, those are not extremely aggressive, rarely bite, and are not considered to be very venomous. The only spiders I see in my house are those with a tiny body with long legs. As soon as I see one, I grab it by the longest leg and put it outside.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
I've noticed in additional research Australia seems to have a few species of deadly spiders. There is one mentioned in Europe called the Hobo spider whose bites cause an open wound which may take many weeks to heal. The bite can cause necrosis and this spider is very aggressive. But your safe none found in area as you mentioned in your response
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
18 Nov 22
We've had Brown Reculse spiders here in NC for many years. I was bit by one (didn't see it, but doctor said it was probably that) in a grocery store. I felt a slight sting and didn't see anything, but the next day my ankle was swelling up towards my knee. Several antibiotics and narrowly avoided being hospitalized.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
They are very nasty spiders and can prove deadly to the elderly and young kids.
FYI: States in the U.S. where they currently reside:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Brown Recluse Spiders seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they naturally inhabit.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
@JudyEv (382658)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Thanks for the extra info. I knew about the Sydney Funnel Web Spider but we're a long way from Sydney so I think our funnel-web must be a different species.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
23 Nov 22
@JudyEv You welcome! That's good your far away from them. No close encounters!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 22
I've read you have a few dangerous spiders living in your area.
What is the deadliest spider in Australia- Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the deadliest in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes. Another bad one is Mouse Spider (Missulena)
Other fun/not so fun Brown recluse facts:
Fatalities are extremely rare; however, bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and those in poor physical condition.
Adult Brown Recluse Spiders often live about 1 to 2 years. Brown Recluse Spiders can survive long periods of time (about 6 months) without food or water.
1 person likes this
