Brown Recluse

Natural Habitat

Found in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, crawlspaces, basements, and inside storage boxes or behind furniture. They prefer dry environments.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they primarily hunt soft-bodied insects like flies, moths, and crickets, as well as other spiders.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunters that do not use webs to catch prey, but rather build small, irregular silk retreats. They are shy and reclusive, usually only biting when pressed against skin (e.g., inside clothing or bedding).

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Possesses necrotic venom that can cause skin lesions and tissue death (loxoscelism) in humans, occasionally requiring medical attention. Benefits: Efficient predators that help control household pest populations.

Identified on: 3/30/2026