Brown Recluse Spider in Tennessee | Pest ID Guide
Quick Facts About Brown Recluse Spiders
All of Tennessee is within the brown recluse’s native range, and it’s one of only two medically significant spiders in the state. As the name suggests, it’s shy: it hides in dark, undisturbed places and bites only when trapped against skin.- Size: Body about 1/4 to 1/2 inch; about the size of a quarter with legs extended
- Color: Evenly tan to dark brown
- Key marking: A dark, violin-shaped mark on the back behind the head, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen
- Eyes: Six eyes in three pairs; most spiders have eight
- Legs: Long, thin, one solid color, with no spines or bands
- Where found: Closets, attics, basements, crawl spaces, storage boxes, and behind furniture
How to Identify a Brown Recluse
Many spiders get mistaken for brown recluses. Check these features before assuming the worst.- Violin mark: Present on most adults, but it can be faint, so don’t rely on it alone.
- Six eyes: The most reliable sign, though you’ll need a close look or magnification.
- Plain abdomen and legs: No stripes, spots, bands, or noticeable hair.
- Behavior: Hunts at night and hides by day; doesn’t build large, visible webs.
Brown Recluse vs. Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are larger, hairy, and patterned with stripes, and they have eight eyes, two of which are noticeably large. See our Wolf spider guide.
Where Brown Recluses Hide
- Closets, especially on the floor among shoes and stored clothing
- Cardboard boxes in attics, basements, and garages
- Behind baseboards, furniture, and picture frames
- Under bed skirts and in rarely used beds
- In crawl spaces and unfinished basements
- Inside shoes, gloves, and clothing left on the floor
Brown Recluse Bites
Bites are uncommon and usually happen when a spider gets trapped against skin while you’re dressing, putting on shoes, or rolling over in bed.- What happens: Often painless at first. Redness and pain can develop over several hours, and some bites form a blister and a sore that slowly worsens.
- Most bites: Heal without serious complications.
- Serious cases: A small number cause a deep wound that heals slowly, and rarely a whole-body reaction with fever, chills, or nausea, which is more common in children.
- First aid: Wash the area, apply a cold compress, elevate it, and seek medical care, especially for a child or a wound that’s spreading or darkening.
- Identify the spider: Many wounds blamed on recluses are actually skin infections. If you can safely capture the spider, bring it with you.
How to Reduce Brown Recluses
- Store items in sealed plastic bins: Cardboard gives them perfect hiding spots.
- Shake out clothing and shoes: Especially items left on the floor or in storage.
- Move beds away from walls: Remove bed skirts and keep bedding off the floor.
- Declutter: Fewer hiding places means fewer spiders.
- Use sticky traps: Place them along walls and behind furniture to monitor activity.
- Seal gaps: Caulk cracks and gaps around baseboards and trim.
When to Call a Professional
Brown recluses are hard to eliminate. They hide in wall voids and clutter, and they can go months without food. Professional treatment targets their hiding places and uses monitoring to track results over time. See our brown recluse removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are brown recluse spiders in Tennessee?
Yes. All of Tennessee is within the brown recluse’s native range.
How can I tell if a spider is a brown recluse?
Look for an evenly tan to brown spider with a violin-shaped mark behind the head, six eyes in pairs, and plain, unbanded legs.
What does a brown recluse bite look like?
Often painless at first, then red and sore over several hours. Some form a blister and a slowly worsening sore. Most heal without serious problems.
What should I do if I think a brown recluse bit me?
Wash it, apply a cold compress, elevate the area, and seek medical care, especially for a child or a wound that’s spreading or darkening.
How do I get rid of brown recluse spiders?
Reduce clutter, store items in sealed plastic bins, use sticky traps, and have your home professionally treated and monitored.
