Brown Recluse in Arizona? Meet the Desert Recluse
Short answer: the true brown recluse lives mainly in the central and southeastern U.S. Arizona's recluses are its desert cousins, led by the Arizona brown spider.
Are There Brown Recluse Spiders in Arizona?
Not in the way most people think. The brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) has its main range in the central and southeastern United States. Arizona has related recluse species, and the University of Arizona says the most common one here is the Arizona brown spider (Loxosceles arizonica). The desert recluse (Loxosceles deserta) is the other Southwest desert species. They behave much the same: shy, active at night, and hiding in dark, undisturbed spots.
If you think you were bitten: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (24 hours). The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center says most Arizona brown spider bites cause small wounds that heal with basic wound care, and serious illness is rare. See a doctor for a wound that spreads, oozes or comes with fever.
How to Identify a Desert Recluse or Arizona Brown Spider
- Six eyes in three pairs. This is the check that matters. Most spiders have eight eyes.
- Violin-shaped mark on the front body section, pointing back toward the abdomen. The University of Arizona warns the mark alone isn't proof; many brown spiders have one, and it varies.
- Plain tan to brown legs with no bands or spines you can easily see, and a uniform, unpatterned abdomen.
- Long, thin legs held out to the sides, giving a "crooked leg" look. Loxosceles means crooked or slanted legs.
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Signs of a Recluse Infestation in a Phoenix-Area Home
Recluses live in buildings, come out at night and feed mainly on small insects such as ants (Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center). Outdoors they hide under dead cactus, boards and debris; indoors they use boxes and clutter. Look for:
- Spiders or shed skins in stored cardboard boxes in the garage, closets or attic.
- Small, irregular, off-white webs in corners low to the floor, not the big orb webs of garden spiders.
- Spiders found in shoes, folded clothing, bedding or towels left on the floor.
- Spiders on glue traps along garage and closet baseboards.
- Lots of ants and other small insects inside. A steady food supply keeps spiders around.
What to Do Now
- Swap cardboard for sealed plastic bins in the garage and closets.
- Shake out clothing, shoes and towels and keep bedding off the floor.
- Put glue traps along baseboards in the garage, closets and behind furniture to see how many you have.
- Seal gaps at doors, garage weather stripping and utility penetrations.
- Book a treatment if you keep catching them, so the hiding spots and their insect food are treated together.
Recluse Spider Control in Phoenix: What the Service Does and Costs
A spider control visit inspects the garage, closets, attic access and exterior for the dark, undisturbed spots recluses use, removes webs and egg sacs it can reach, and treats harborage areas, entry points and the perimeter, including the insects spiders feed on. A one-time diagnostic visit with treatment is $149. The plan is $50/month with treatment every 60 days and free callbacks. Start a plan the same day and your visit fee covers your first 3 months of the plan. See pest control cost for every option. For black widows and other Valley spiders, see the spider exterminator page.
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Arizona Recluse Spider Questions
Are there brown recluse spiders in Arizona?
The brown recluse itself (Loxosceles reclusa) lives mainly in the central and southeastern United States. Arizona has related recluse species instead, and the University of Arizona says the most common one here is the Arizona brown spider, Loxosceles arizonica. Most 'brown recluse' sightings in the Phoenix area are one of these, or a harmless brown spider.
What is the difference between a desert recluse and a brown recluse?
They are close relatives in the same genus, Loxosceles. The brown recluse is a Midwest and Southeast species. The desert recluse (Loxosceles deserta) and the Arizona brown spider (Loxosceles arizonica) are the Southwest desert species. All share six eyes in three pairs and a shy, hide-in-the-dark habit.
How dangerous is an Arizona recluse bite?
Bites are uncommon and usually happen when the spider is trapped against skin, often while putting on clothing. The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center says most bites cause small, superficial wounds that heal with basic wound care, and serious illness is rare. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice on any suspected bite.
How do I know it is really a recluse?
Count the eyes. University of Arizona researchers say a recluse needs both the violin-shaped mark and six eyes arranged in three pairs. Most spiders have eight eyes, and many brown spiders have violin-like markings, so the mark alone isn't enough.
Can a recluse bite be confused with something else?
Yes. University of Arizona researchers note that doctors often mistake other conditions, such as MRSA skin infections, for recluse bites. If a wound is spreading, oozing or comes with fever, see a doctor.