Brown Recluse

[Ange]

Well, found this buddy already spent in my garage. Confirms there is more than one in my house. I don't suppose you can tell if it is a male or female with just a partial body LOL. ugh. I guess it doesn't really matter either way.

[Ange]

I am shaking badly right now. I have tried to convince myself that it isn't that bad, but that was until I stumbled upon hundreds of what looks like exoskeletons. at first I was like a bunch of babies, why are they all dead. it is clear that they are little recluses. I then realized they have molted and grown. I feel really sick to my stomach.

[Ange]

I think I found a female. Are they smaller than the males? she was with an egg sack. I will upload a picture as soon as my camera charges.

[Ungoliant]

This is a female brown recluse. (I know the species, because you are in Indiana.) In spiders, the females are often larger than the males, but I am not sure if this is the case with brown recluses. In any event, it is easy to identify a sexually mature male: all adult male spiders have enlarged palps or feelers extending from their heads.

I am sorry that you are having a problem with brown recluses. However, everything that was said in your other thread applies here. These spiders keep to themselves. Very few people are bitten, and most recover without any serious complications. There are no known fatalities. You're probably more likely to be struck by lightning than suffer a brown recluse bite that has serious complications, even if your house is "infested."

Although the brown recluse does have venom that can be harmful to humans, most bites heal without serious complications. Moreover, you are not likely to be bitten by one, even if there are lots of them in your house. This spider isn't called a "recluse" without reason: it mostly hides in secluded places and will only bite in defense when it cannot flee (such as when pinched or squished).

In the unlikely event that you are bitten, seek medical attention and try to capture the spider so that it can be identified by an expert on spiders. Most doctors know little about spiders and cannot accurately distinguish between a brown recluse and other harmless spiders. Moreover, doctors are notoriously bad at diagnosing "bites" from the wound alone. (There are hundreds of brown recluse diagnoses being made in states where brown recluses don't even live. Rick Vetter wrote an excellent article on this topic: "Causes of Necrotic Wounds Other Than Brown Recluse Spider Bites.")

If you live in a brown recluse area like Indiana, there are measures that you can take to avoid being bitten.

[Ange]

I know, I know, but there is a huge creep out factor that I cannot shake. plus, the garage is going to be made into my studio where I would be working late... at least they don't drop from ceilings... right?

[Ungoliant]

I know, I know, but there is a huge creep out factor that I cannot shake. plus, the garage is going to be made into my studio where I would be working late... at least they don't drop from ceilings... right?

The last thing a brown recluse would do is seek you out. They do leave their webs at night to hunt, but they shouldn't be dropping from ceilings.

It's healthy to be afraid of something that can be dangerous; fear makes you more careful. However, on the scale of things that are likely to cause you serious injury, brown recluses are pretty low on the list. Pet dogs injure more people than spiders. You're at a much greater risk every time you get behind the wheel of a car.

You do want to be aware of your surroundings, particularly where you're sticking bare hands and feet. (The brown recluse can't bite through clothing or shoes, but if it is trapped in clothing and pressed against bare skin, it may bite.) Do what you can to reduce their numbers with structural maintenance, clutter reduction, and sticky traps.

[Ange]

In any event, it is easy to identify a sexually mature male: all adult male spiders have enlarged palps or feelers extending from their heads.

Okay, I think this is a male then. You cannot tell from the picture because it is dried up. The palps are actually curled up and it's size seems very similar to the live spider... minus the butt.

[Ungoliant]

The palps are actually curled up and it's size seems very similar to the live spider... minus the butt.

If the ends of the palps are bulbous, it's a male.

Here are some photos of a male, female, and a juvenile (unknown sex) for comparison. Size and coloration can vary, even among adults, so focus on the palps.

[Evspider2012]

OMG that spider is cut in half D: ... don't be afraid ... as long you don't think you are gonna get bitten you surely wouldn't ... just keep clean the house and keep an eye when putting on shoes or clothes. :3

[Ange]

Discussing spiders with my 4 yr old. He's not scared of them and I told him "We leave spiders alone and they will leave us alone."
"But mom, I can touch them. I am not scared. They don't bite... and if they get on you and you smash them, they won't have a chance to bite.
If they bite, will they give you super powers?"

GEEZ, Let's just hope he never encounters one(a recluse that is) and tries to make it his pet. LOL I am not too worried. not really.