Spiders can be frightening creatures, especially if you come across one that resembles a venomous species. One of the most feared spiders in North America is the brown recluse spider. This spider can inflict a serious bite that requires medical treatment. However, there are some common spiders that are mistaken for brown recluses due to their similar appearance.
What is a brown recluse spider?
The brown recluse spider, also known as the violin spider or Loxosceles reclusa, is a venomous spider found in the south-central and Midwestern United States. It gets its name from the violin-shaped pattern on its cephalothorax (the part of the body where the legs attach). Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive and only bite when threatened or accidentally pressed against the skin. They typically inhabit dark, dry, undisturbed places like attics, closets, sheds, and garages. Their bites can cause significant tissue damage due to the necrotic venom that destroys cell membranes and blood vessels at the bite site. This can lead to pain, itching, blistering, and necrosis (death of skin tissue). While rare, severe reactions to a brown recluse bite can cause fever, chills, nausea, and systemic illness.
What spiders are mistaken for brown recluses?
Cellar spiders
Cellar spiders, also called daddy longlegs spiders, are one of the most common spiders mistaken for brown recluses. These spiders have long, thin legs and small bodies. They build loose, irregular webs in dark corners of cellars, garages, and houses. Cellar spiders do not have any markings on their bodies. They have a light brown to grey color. While cellar spiders prey on other spiders, their fangs are not strong enough to bite through human skin. So they pose no danger to people.
Fishing spiders
Fishing spiders are large, hairy spiders that can be brown in color. They are sometimes confused with brown recluses due to their size and coloring. However, fishing spiders can be identified by the dark brown zebra-like stripes on their abdomen. Unlike recluses, fishing spiders have spinnerets (silk-spinning organs) visible on their underside. Fishing spiders hunt for prey along water edges, while brown recluses avoid water. Although fishing spiders can bite if handled, their bites are not considered medically significant.
Wolf spiders
Wolf spiders are brown, hairy spiders that actively hunt for prey instead of building webs. They can range in color from brown, grey to black with variegated stripes on their bodies. Wolf spiders have a distinct eye arrangement with two large eyes facing forward and two smaller eyes above those. This eye pattern can help distinguish them from brown recluses, which have six equal-sized eyes arranged in pairs. Wolf spider bites are not considered dangerous, though the large fangs can cause mild pain and swelling.
Woodlouse spiders
Woodlouse spiders are small spiders with a light brown, elongated body and six eyes arranged in a semi-circle. They can resemble young brown recluse spiders. However, woodlouse spiders have visible spinnerets and lack the violin marking. They get their name from their preferred prey – woodlice or pillbugs. Although woodlouse spiders belong to the same genus as brown recluses (Loxosceles), their venom is not considered medically significant to humans.
How to distinguish from a brown recluse spider
It can be tricky to identify a brown recluse correctly, but there are some key features that set it apart from look-alikes:
- Violin-shaped marking – Brown recluses have a signature violin marking on the cephalothorax. Look for the “neck” of the violin where the legs attach.
- Eyes – Brown recluses have six equal-sized eyes arranged in three pairs. Other spiders may have different eye patterns.
- Uniform color – Brown recluses are uniformly light to medium brown, without stripes or mottling.
- Body shape – Brown recluses have a round abdomen and narrow “neck”, giving them a violin-like shape.
- Legs – Brown recluse legs are smooth and uniformly colored, without bands or stripes.
- Habitat – Brown recluses build irregular webs in dry, undisturbed areas like attics and cellars.
If an encountered spider does not match this set of features, it’s highly unlikely to be a dangerous brown recluse.
How to avoid bites from brown recluse spider look-alikes
Here are some tips to avoid accidental bites from spiders that resemble brown recluses:
- Clear clutter and debris where spiders may hide, like in basements, garages, and attics.
- Seal cracks and crevices where spiders may enter the home.
- Inspect or shake out clothing, linens, or shoes that have been sitting untouched.
- Wear protective clothing like gloves and long sleeves when cleaning unused spaces.
- Handle spiders gently or not at all, as many will bite when threatened.
- Have a professional exterminator treat the home if there is a persistent spider infestation.
Taking preventative measures can reduce the chances of accidental bites. Additionally, learning to properly identify brown recluse spiders can help alleviate fears about look-alikes being venomous.
First aid for bites from brown recluse look-alikes
While their bites are generally not dangerous, spider look-alikes like wolf spiders and fishing spiders can still bite if mishandled. Here is what to do if you are bitten:
- Wash the bite area with soap and water to reduce risk of infection
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling and pain
- Keep the bite elevated if possible
- Use over-the-counter pain medication if needed for pain relief
- Avoid scratching or rupturing blisters, as this can lead to infection
- Contact a doctor if you experience increased pain, swelling, fever or other worrisome symptoms
While spider look-alike bites likely will not require medical intervention, it’s important to clean and monitor bites to prevent complications. Seek medical care promptly if symptoms seem indicative of a severe reaction. Otherwise, bites can be managed with first aid care at home.
Professional pest control for brown recluse spiders
If you suspect brown recluses may be present in your home, it’s best to enlist professional pest control treatment. A qualified exterminator will be able to:
- Properly identify brown recluses
- Treat spider infestations using insecticides and fumigation methods
- Seal and caulk cracks and crevices where spiders enter the home
- Remove clutter, wood piles, and other materials that attract spiders
- Apply preventative spider treatments around the perimeter
- Follow up to ensure spiders have been effectively eliminated
Professional pest control provides the best chance of safely removing brown recluses and limiting spider access to the home. DIY spider treatments are not always effective for large-scale infestations of venomous spiders. Investing in professional treatment can provide peace of mind that your property is spider-free.
Conclusion
Some common spiders are often mistaken for the more dangerous brown recluse spider due to similar appearances. Spiders like cellar spiders, fishing spiders, wolf spiders and woodlouse spiders may be brownish and hairy, but they lack identifying features of the recluse. Examining the eyes, markings, and body shape can help discern harmless spider look-alikes from venomous brown recluses. With proper identification and pest control, the risk of accidental and dangerous spider bites can be significantly reduced in the home.