Help, Brown Recluse Spider :(

[Megs Mom]

So I just trapped what I'm fairly certain is a brown recluse spider in my house. Does that mean he has friends? What should I do about this? I got a spider bite a couple of months ago that I was pretty sure was a brown recluse. Ick, I'm getting the willies. If Meg gets a spider bite I will be very upset, esp. if there's something to do to prevent it!

[ksmeadowlark]

We lived with brown recluse for 4 yrs at our old apartment, so I can certainly empathize. With spiders, the best thing you can do is to control their food supply, which is other insects. So you keep your place as clean as possible and do what you have to do to eradicate insects in your home. The only way to get the spiders directly is to use glue traps. And yep, when there is one, there are probably many more, unfortunately.

It is important to know whether you really have a brown recluse or not though. You can check the ID online (go to Google to find a picture) but they are pretty distinct, they have a low profile, are light brown in color, with solid color legs (not banded), and a drk brown or black "fiddle" shape on the thorax.

The good news about BR is that they are fairly passive, and mostly come out just at night. We mostly found them in corners of the closets, in the sink drains, and in the bathtub. Just be aware that you should shake out your clothes, shoes, and TOWELS before putting them on or using them. One woman got a nasty bite on her face a couple of years ago bc she had one on her towel that she grabbed coming out of the shower.

Here is a website put up by a guy I know who studies these critters: http://www.ku.edu/~recluse/ It has lots of good info...

Good luck!

[Megs Mom]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what we have. So gross! We have lots of food for them, not b/c the place is dirty but b/c Meg goes in and out of the house a lot and the door is open frequently and for long periods of time. Maybe a screen door would help - I like to leave the door open when she's in the back yard and I'm in the kitchen. Or I could just go outside with her!

Sigh.

[Megs Mom]

Actually, looking around my kitchen after feeding my toddler breakfast...yeah, we could stand to do some cleaning...not that it will last beyond the next meal...sigh.