Brown recluse spiders are One of the two venomous spiders in North America , the other being the Black Widow that can inflict a dangerous bite.

Apperance:

The brown recluse is about 1/4 to 1/2 inches in body length (most adults are about the size of a United States dime to a US quarter with legs extended). Coloration ranges from tan to dark brown, with the abdomen often darker than the rest of the body.

Habitat:

It's reclusive nature of this spider seeks hiding places and shelter.

The Brown Recluse spider can be found in the southern, western and mid western United States , especially Arkansas , Oklahoma and Missouri .

They are very adaptable and may be active in temperatures ranging from 45 to 110 degrees F.

It is usually found indoors, in bathrooms,bedrooms, closets,garages,basements and cellars. In homes with forced hot air heating and air conditioning and often above-ceiling duct work, brown recluse spiders are can be found harboring in or around the duct work or registers.

Other common locations are:

· Cluttered closets or basements,

· Outside:
Out storage houses or buildings where items are stored. May be found in sheltered corners among debris, wood piles, and under loose bark or stones.

· Inside:
They are found in dark recesses, inhabiting stored clothing,old shoes, toys, books, boxes, furniture, stored linens and undisturbed towels, sheds,ect.

· They can take shelter under furniture, appliances and carpets, behind baseboards and door facings, or in corners and crevices.

BITES:

People are commonly bit..in areas that the spiders had been hiding...in shoes, stored towels, the old work shirt in the shed, etc. It is very common to get a bite when you are changing clothes, putting their hand into a pocket, or putting on shoes. The spider had crawled in there at some time to take shelter.

The initial pain with the brown recluse bite is not intense, unless there is a severe reaction.
Within 8 to 12 hours the pain becomes intense. Within 24 to 36 hours, the victim may have a fever,chills, nausea,joint pain or be restless. The area that was bitten enlarges,becomes inflamed and the tissue is hard to touch. The venom of this spider has an enzyme that destroys cell membranes in the wounded area. The affected tissue sloughs away, exposing underlying tissues. and over a period of a few days a large ulcerous sore forms