Brown Recluse Spiders in Indiana: Where They Live, What They Eat, How to Get Rid of Them

The Hoosier State is home to Hoosiers and a variety of wildlife, including some creepy-crawly critters that are best left alone. Unless they trespass into your home! Learn about brown recluse spiders in Indiana, including where they live, what they eat, and how to get rid of them if they find their way indoors.

What is a Brown Recluse?

A typical brown recluse spider (scientific name: Loxosceles reclusa) is about one to 1.5 inches long. Its body is different shades of brown that range from light brown to dark brown. Their abdomen is pale brown to off-white, and they have eight long, brown, fine, hairy legs. One distinctive trait is that it is able to see a bit differently than other species as it possesses six eyes that form a semi-circle as opposed to the eight eyes most spiders have. These spiders are opportunistic carnivores, snacking on insects and other spiders.

Brown recluse spiders take their name very seriously as they are quite reclusive, hiding during the day and coming out at night. This spider is venomous and bites but only in self-defense when it feels cornered or threatened. Sometimes their bites go unnoticed, which can be dangerous. Their bites lead to tissue damage and necrosis (also known as cell death). Extreme caution is advised if you’re in an environment where there are brown recluses, especially if you’re allergic to spider venom.

Where Are Brown Recluses in Indiana?

These spiders are more common in the central and southern parts of the state. They are more likely to inhabit wooded areas, but can also be found in urban environments. They may find your outdoor shed cozy or even your basement or garage. If they do find their way indoors, they look for places to hide.

Where Brown Recluses Go Indoors

They prefer undisturbed areas such as basements, attics, closets, and even woodpiles. Though you find it repulsive, they find hiding under the trash safe and comfortable. If you happen to live in an area where you suspect there are brown recluse spiders, take preventative measures. These types of spiders may find their way into the folds of your clothes, whether they’re on the ground or in your closet. One thing you can do is shake out your clothes before attempting to put them on.

You may also make it a habit to look inside your shoes to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you are ever in doubt whether it was a brown recluse or not, the best option is to seek medical attention. Although they likely won’t be able to ID the type of spider based on symptoms alone, you will be in the right place if severe symptoms appear (especially allergic reactions). Doctors can prescribe antibiotics to battle any infection that may otherwise develop.

What To Do If You Find Brown Recluses in Your Home

One of the first things you can do to confirm the type of spider is to identify the three pairs of eyes. Once you do that, look for a violin-shaped mark on their head region. Avoid handling a spider at all costs as it might increase the risk of a bite. If you are thinking there’s no way you’re going to get close enough to identify it by its eyes or markings, there are solutions that you can use with any type of spider.

However, if you are capable of handling the following, you can get rid of the spider humanely. When you have located the spider, trap it by placing a glass jar or other heavy container and grab a piece of paper to slide under it. You can gently take it outside and release it into a more appropriate environment. If this is too much for you to handle, you can take another route. Just grab your vacuum, suck it up, and empty out the contents outside. If you’re not entirely sure where the spider is and you haven’t confirmed whether it’s a brown recluse, you can try using sticky traps in the areas where spiders hang out.

These sticky traps grab hold of everything that attempts to walk on them. You might also try a homemade spray of vinegar and water. This mixture dries out and kills spiders and insects. Similarly, you might try a homemade spray mixture of essential oil with water. This serves more as a repellant as spiders avoid certain smells like lemon and lavender. However, if you think you are dealing with an infestation, the best action you can take is to call a local pest control company to handle it for you.