Brown Recluse Spider

Natural Habitat

Found in undisturbed areas such as sheds, woodpiles, basements, and closets; frequently retreats into cardboard boxes or behind furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds primarily on soft-bodied insects like cockroaches, crickets, and silverfish.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunters that do not use webs to catch prey; they are non-aggressive and generally only bite when pressed against skin.

Risks & Benefits

Possesses necrotic venom that can cause severe skin lesions (loxoscelism) in humans; however, they benefit the ecosystem by controlling indoor pest populations.

Identified on: 2/25/2026