Brown Recluse Spider

Natural Habitat

Brown recluse spiders are commonly found in dark, secluded, and undisturbed areas. Indoors, they may inhabit attics, basements, closets, crawl spaces, and cluttered areas. Outdoors, they can be found under rocks, logs, bark, or in other debris.

Diet & Feeding

Brown recluse spiders primarily feed on small insects and other arthropods, such as crickets, cockroaches, and other soft-bodied insects. They hunt at night, actively searching for prey rather than relying on a web to catch it.

Behavior Patterns

Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and reclusive, preferring dark, undisturbed areas. They are not aggressive and typically bite only when feeling trapped or threatened. They are known for their haphazard, irregular webs which are not used for prey capture but rather as retreats.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include their venomous bite, which can cause necrotic lesions in humans, leading to tissue damage that may require medical attention and can sometimes result in scarring. Benefits include their role as predators of various insect pests.

Identified on: 8/24/2025