ScientificName: Loxosceles reclusa
Description: Up to 1 ½-inch, brown bodies with a violin shape on their back. They have long legs and a very poisonous bite.
Habitat/Food: The Brown Recluse prefers to hide in undisturbed, dark places during the day and comes out at night to hunt for insects.
Life Cycle: These spiders mate from April to July and hide their eggs in small, lightly woven sacs that they attach to a surface. They take a full year to reach maturity and can live for several more as adults.
Organic Control: Citrus or other plant oil based products can be used as effective control against these spiders.
Interesting Fact: Prey of the Brown Recluse consists of a variety of arthropods, including rather dangerous prey like other spiders and ants. Its attack consists of a sudden lunge and bite, usually on an intended prey's appendage, after which the brown recluse immediately backs away. The venom acts rapidly to paralyze the prey, preventing any retaliation for the initial attack of the recluse spider. After the venom overcomes the prey, the brown recluse moves in to feed.