Brown recluse spider

Natural Habitat

Brown recluse spiders are commonly found in dark, secluded, and undisturbed areas both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, they may be found in attics, basements, closets, crawl spaces, and within furniture or boxes. Outdoors, they can be found under rocks, logs, bark, or in sheds and woodpiles. They thrive in temperate climates.

Diet & Feeding

Brown recluse spiders primarily feed on small insects such as crickets, cockroaches, and other soft-bodied arthropods. They are ambush predators, using their silk to create irregular webs that serve more as a retreat than a trap for prey.

Behavior Patterns

Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and reclusive, meaning they hide during the day and hunt at night. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are not aggressive and typically only bite if threatened or accidentally pressed against skin. They can move quickly when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include their venomous bite, which can cause loxoscelism, a condition characterized by tissue necrosis at the bite site. While often not life-threatening, these bites can lead to significant skin lesions, scarring, and, in rare cases, systemic reactions. Benefits include their role as natural pest control, preying on other insects.

Identified on: 8/24/2025