Spiders · Loxosceles reclusa
Brown recluse spiders
The brown recluse is a shy, light-brown spider with a dark violin shape on its back and six eyes instead of eight. Its bite can cause a slow-healing wound, but most bites heal without serious problems. Tennessee is within its native range, and it does turn up in Southeast Tennessee homes.
Seasonal activity
When they're active in Southeast Tennessee
Brown recluse are most active in warm months, when they wander at night looking for mates and prey.
- January: Low
- February: Low
- March: Moderate
- April: Moderate
- May: Moderate
- June: Peak
- July: Peak
- August: Peak
- September: Moderate
- October: Moderate
- November: Low
- December: Low
Signs
How to tell you have them
- Spiders or shed skins found in sticky traps placed along walls in closets, attics and basements
- Small, irregular off-white webs in corners, behind boxes or under furniture (recluse don't spin large orb webs)
- Spiders in bathtubs or sinks they've wandered into and can't climb out of
- Shed skins in storage areas, a sign spiders are living and growing there
- Spiders found in shoes, folded clothes or bedding that sat undisturbed
Are they common here?
Tennessee is one of the states where the brown recluse is native, and East Tennessee sits near the eastern edge of its range. Populations tend to be denser in Middle and West Tennessee, but recluse infestations do occur in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia homes, often in older houses, garages and buildings with lots of stored boxes.
They're also one of the most misidentified spiders in the country. In one nationwide survey, about four out of five spiders people sent in as brown recluse turned out to be something else. If you find a spider you're unsure about, take a clear photo or keep it in a sealed jar so it can be identified.
What to know about bites
Brown recluse don't attack. Almost every bite happens when a spider gets pressed against skin, such as when you pull on a shirt that's been hanging in a closet, slide into a boot, or roll over in bed. The bite often isn't felt at first, and redness and tenderness may develop over several hours.
Most bites cause little more than a small red bump that heals on its own. A smaller share develop a blister and an open, slow-healing wound that can take weeks to months to close, and rarely a person, most often a child, has a body-wide reaction. Many wounds blamed on recluse are actually bacterial infections such as MRSA or other skin conditions. If you suspect a spider bite, especially one that is spreading, blistering or turning dark, or if you have fever or feel ill, see a doctor promptly rather than trying to treat it at home.
How we treat them
- 01
Inspect and trap
We place sticky monitors where recluse travel, along wall edges in closets, attics, basements and behind furniture, to confirm the species and see where activity is concentrated.
- 02
Treat harborage
Labeled products go into cracks, voids, attics and crawl spaces where spiders hide, along with entry points around the outside of the house.
- 03
Reduce clutter and food
Recluse feed on other insects. Cutting down clutter and controlling the bugs they eat makes the home less hospitable. Traps are a monitoring tool, not a cure on their own, so we combine methods.
- 04
Follow up
Established recluse populations take patience. Repeat monitoring shows whether numbers are dropping.
Prevention
What you can do today
- Shake out shoes, gloves and clothing that have been stored or left on the floor before putting them on
- Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
- Move beds a few inches from the wall and keep bedding and dust ruffles off the floor
- Cut down clutter in closets, attics, basements and garages
- Wear gloves when moving boxes, firewood or stored items
- Seal cracks around windows, doors and utility lines, and keep screens in good repair
- Place sticky traps along walls in storage areas to catch spiders and see if you have a problem
When to call us
Pest control
Inspection-first treatment for the everyday pests that get into Tennessee and North Georgia homes.
How we treat itQuestions
Brown recluse spiders FAQ
Are brown recluse common in Chattanooga?
They're present. Tennessee is within the brown recluse's native range, and while they're generally more abundant in Middle and West Tennessee, infestations show up in Chattanooga-area homes, garages and sheds. Many brown spiders people find here turn out to be other species, so it's worth getting one identified.
How can I tell if a spider is a brown recluse?
Look for a uniformly tan to brown spider with long, thin legs, no stripes or bands, and a darker violin shape on the front body section. The surest sign is six eyes arranged in three pairs, which you'll usually need a magnifying glass or close-up photo to see. Many common spiders have markings that resemble a violin.
What does a brown recluse bite look like?
Many look like a small red bump. Some become red, swollen and tender over several hours, with a blister or a darkening center that may break down into an open sore. Because infections and other conditions can look similar, a doctor should evaluate any bite that's worsening.
Should I go to the doctor for a spider bite?
See a doctor if the bite is spreading, blistering, turning dark or not improving, or if you develop fever, chills or body aches. Get emergency care for trouble breathing or a severe reaction. Wash the area, apply a cool compress, and if you can do it safely, bring the spider or a photo.
Do brown recluse spiders build webs?
They spin small, loose, irregular webs as retreats, not the large webs you see on porches. They hunt mostly by wandering at night, which is how they end up in shoes, bedding and bathtubs.
Think you have brown recluse spiders?
Tell us what you're seeing and where. We'll call you back to schedule.