Nobody wants to hear the phrase “brown recluse infestation.” While the brown recluse does not inhabit much of the United States, it is quite common in the lower half of the country, residing in 16 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
While brown recluse spiders have been spotted outside of these states, sightings are uncommon, and they are not native to areas that do not meet their criteria, such as the South and Midwest.
Recluse Species Found in the United States
From southwestern California to southeastern Georgia and up through the Midwest, the United States is home to numerous types of recluse spiders, all of which are members of the Loxosceles species. This includes:
- Deserta
- Arizonica
- Apache
- Blanda
- Devia
- Reclusa
The reclusive is the most well-known, spreading from Texas to Iowa and as far east as South Carolina. While hundreds of brown recluse bites are recorded each year, only around 80% are authentic. The bite of a brown recluse is frequently confused with other insects, lymphatic issues, and even spider bites. Furthermore, many of these reported bite instances come from states where the brown recluse is not established, exacerbating fears and concerns about this deadly species.
The State Has Legitimate Brown Recluse Claims
Missouri is one of the worst states for pest complaints, as the brown recluse not only exists but also dominates the chain of native arachnids. It is difficult to determine the actual quantity of brown recluses in Missouri. Their total numbers are determined by breeding patterns, environmental conditions, and lifestyle. They can survive for several years, making it even more difficult to estimate how many live in a single state. Experts can confirm how ubiquitous a species like this is, which is why Missouri stands out in statistics when compared to many other states.
Bug Zero, a pest management firm, reports that the number of brown recluses in Missouri has increased in recent years. The reason is simple: As temperatures rise, particularly near water supplies, so do the bugs. These bugs become food for the brown recluse and other Missouri spiders, which leads to additional sightings. While the actual number of infestations is unknown, Tad Yankoski, senior entomologist at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Butterfly House, once stated, “You give me five minutes in your house, and I can almost always find a brown recluse spider.” We may talk about seconds rather than minutes when estimating how long something will take.
A disturbing infestation
In 2007, a couple made waves when they discovered they weren’t the only ones living in their Missouri house. Brian and Susan Trost discovered what they characterised as a strange event: a severe brown recluse infestation. Further analysis indicated that 4,600 to 6,000 brown recluses had taken up home, and all attempts to remove the deadly spiders failed.
Following these futile attempts, the Trosts were forced to leave their new home since the infestation had become dangerous. Brown recluse bites are rarely fatal, although they can cause significant discomfort and require months to heal. The Trosts reported spiders “bleeding from their walls,” an infestation image that is pure horror stuff.
How Can You Tell If You Have An Infestation ?
Fortunately, there are several clear symptoms that you can use to establish whether you have a brown recluse infestation. Their behaviour is easy to trace, and while an infestation may go undetected for a long, these symptoms will eventually reveal it:
- Spotting Spiders in Your Home: The most evident indication of an infestation is frequent sightings. While it is usual to observe a few spiders throughout the year, seeing them frequently indicates that there are more that go undiscovered.
- Fewer Sightings of Other Insects: Smaller bugs that are prey for a brown recluse will become less common. If you only observe spiders and no other insects, it is a good indication that they are in abundance.
- Finding Egg Sacs: Even if there is no infestation, finding a brown recluse egg sac in your home can raise concerns. Without the assistance of pest management, this problem might easily escalate into an infestation that is far more difficult to treat. Brown recluse egg sacs are untidy and resemble cotton balls wrapped in silk.
- Spider Webs: Brown recluses are rarely spotted in their webs and are typically found roaming around. If you locate webs, it implies that a spider has made its home and may lay eggs, which might lead to an infestation.