Brown Recluse Spiders Ignore Social Status

By Robert Seay, U of A Division of Agriculture

First posted on 06-22-2009

Each year, some people with pest problems hesitate to call their county extension agent for help because they’re embarrassed and feel like others will peg them as being on a lower rung of the social ladder. Ants, cockroaches, fleas, head lice, pantry insects and the brown recluse spider seem to be pests some people wish to discuss quietly, in hopes the neighbors won’t hear.

The good, or bad, news is that each of these pests can be found in just about any home, regardless of the social status of the owner. The brown recluse, one of only two poisonous spiders in Arkansas, has re-entered the spotlight recently simply because, well, its spring and time for it to be on the prowl.

The recluse has a couple of good traits. One good trait is its desire to stay out of sight (hence their name). Its nocturnal hunting habit is one reason they tend to come into contact with people. Another good trait is the brown recluse is cannibalistic, which helps control its own population to some degree.

A recent search through several storage boxes in the barn revealed some newly hatched brown recluse spiders, reminding me to initiate control measures. At the same time, it reminded me that our storage habits, whether barn, closet, attic, etc., create the ideal environment for this particular spider.

If a population is present, a combination of practices is generally required to achieve satisfactory control. A number of pyrethroid insecticides, such as cyfluthrin and cypermethrin, are particularly effective against the brown recluse as well as being user friendly to homeowners.

However, recluse control may require partial sacrifice due to our habit of saving and storing everything we’ve acquired since grade school. This acquired wealth stored in boxes and bags has created the ideal location for this spider to set up housekeeping. These are also very difficult areas to effectively treat with insecticide, which means the spider’s home base goes untouched.

I like to use sticky traps to monitor the presence of brown recluse throughout the year. Placed along the baseboard beneath a couch, bed or in the back of a closet, this is an inexpensive method to stay advised of the presence or movements of the brown recluse or other household pests.

Another added bonus of these out-of-the-way traps is that your neighbors, relatives or other visitors will never know unless, of course, you tell them! Til’ next week!

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its program to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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