Brown recluse spiders are native to Tennessee and often live quietly in closets, attics, basements, and stored boxes. Look for a tan to brown spider with a darker violin shape on its back and six eyes in pairs. Bites are uncommon and most heal without serious problems, but see a doctor for a worsening wound. Sticky traps, decluttering, and sealing gaps help reduce them.
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Few pests worry Middle Tennessee homeowners like the brown recluse. The spider is native to the state, and it is comfortable living indoors in the dark, undisturbed places most homes have plenty of. The good news is that bites are uncommon, most are not severe, and there are practical steps that make a real difference in how many you see.
How to identify a brown recluse
Many spiders are brown, and plenty of harmless ones get mistaken for recluses. Look for these features together, ideally with a magnifying glass on a captured spider:
- Violin marking: a darker, violin-shaped mark on the front body section, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear.
- Six eyes: most spiders have eight eyes; recluses have six, arranged in three pairs. This is the most reliable feature.
- Uniform color: legs are a single color with no bands or stripes, and the abdomen is a uniform tan to dark brown with no pattern.
- Fine hairs, no spines: the legs look smooth, without the obvious spines many other spiders have.
- Size: the body is usually about a quarter to a half inch long, with legs spanning roughly the size of a quarter.
Common lookalikes in Tennessee homes include wolf spiders, which are larger, hairier, and have banded or patterned markings, and cellar spiders, which have very long, thin legs and small bodies. If you are not sure, save the spider in a sealed jar or bag. UT Extension offices and pest control companies can help identify it.
Where brown recluses hide
True to the name, brown recluses avoid people. They hunt at night and spend the day in quiet, dark, dry spots, such as:
- Cardboard boxes in closets, attics, basements, and garages
- Behind and under furniture, beds, and baseboards
- Inside shoes, gloves, and clothing left on the floor or in storage
- Crawlspaces, wall voids, and around ductwork
- Woodpiles, sheds, and outbuildings
Many Middle Tennessee homes have exactly these conditions, and older homes with crawlspaces, attics full of stored items, or lots of gaps around trim tend to have more opportunities for them. Seeing one does not necessarily mean you have a large infestation, but where conditions are right, recluses can be present in significant numbers.
About bites
Most brown recluse bites happen when a spider is pressed against skin, such as when someone puts on a shoe or a piece of clothing or rolls onto one in bed. Key points:
- Bites are often painless at first and may not be noticed for hours.
- Many bites cause only a small red area that heals on its own.
- A smaller share develop a blister and an area of dying tissue that can take weeks to heal, and in rare cases bites cause more serious whole-body reactions, particularly in children.
- Many skin wounds blamed on spiders are actually caused by other things, including bacterial infections, so a diagnosis matters.
If you think you were bitten, wash the area with soap and water, apply a cool compress, and keep the area elevated if possible. Contact a doctor promptly, especially if the wound grows, darkens, or blisters, or if you develop fever, chills, rash, or feel ill. Bring the spider if you can do so safely. For questions, Tennessee Poison Center can be reached through the national Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
How to reduce brown recluses at home
Because recluses hide so well, sprays alone rarely solve the problem. A combination of steps works better:
- Set sticky traps. Glue boards placed flat along walls, behind furniture, under beds, and in closets catch roaming spiders and show you where they are most active. Check and replace them regularly.
- Declutter. Reduce piles of clothing, papers, and cardboard. Move stored items into plastic bins with tight lids instead of cardboard boxes.
- Protect where you sleep. Pull beds a few inches away from walls, keep bedskirts and blankets off the floor, and do not store items under the bed.
- Shake it out. Shake out shoes, gloves, and clothing that have been on the floor or in storage, and wear gloves when moving boxes or firewood.
- Seal entry points. Caulk gaps around baseboards, trim, and pipes, add door sweeps, and repair torn window screens.
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming behind furniture and in corners removes spiders, egg sacs, and the insects they feed on.
- Reduce prey. Recluses eat other insects, so controlling crickets, roaches, and other pests reduces their food supply.
When to call a professional
Consider professional help if you are finding recluses regularly, catching several on sticky traps, or seeing them in bedrooms or children's rooms. A licensed pest control company can inspect for harborage areas, place monitors, and treat cracks, crevices, wall voids, attics, and crawlspaces with products labeled for spiders. Expect it to take more than one visit, and ask the company to explain:
- Where they found activity and what they will treat
- Which products they will use and any precautions for children and pets
- How they will monitor results, and what follow-up visits are included
Even with professional treatment, it can be difficult to eliminate brown recluses completely from a heavily infested home, so ongoing monitoring and the habits above remain important.
Black widows too
Southern black widows are also found in Tennessee, usually outdoors or in garages, sheds, woodpiles, and under outdoor furniture. Females are shiny black with a red hourglass under the abdomen. Wearing gloves when working in these areas helps prevent bites from both species.
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Frequently asked questions
Are brown recluse spiders common in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee is within the native range of the brown recluse, and the spiders are often found indoors in closets, attics, basements, crawlspaces, and stored boxes.
How can I tell if a spider is a brown recluse?
Look for six eyes in three pairs, a darker violin shape on the front body section, and legs and abdomen of a single uniform color with no stripes or bands. If unsure, save the spider for an expert to identify.
Will a pest control treatment get rid of brown recluses?
Professional treatment can reduce numbers significantly, especially combined with sticky traps, decluttering, and sealing gaps. Heavy infestations often need several visits and ongoing monitoring.