EEE GADS! A brown Recluse in my house!??! (Penn: live in, transport)

[austere]

I am filled with fear...I believe I caught a brown recluse which was clinging on the wall in my entryway this morning. It sure looks like one from the pictures I saw on the internet. Are these horrible monsters common in the area? I live in a nice clean house with no brush, wood piles or anything against the house. Now if this is a brown recluse does that mean there is a nest of the nasty things? I have four kids and am quite worried! I'm from MN where the only poisonous thing we have is the Lutafisk.

[toobusytoday]

I did a quick google and found this website Commonly Encountered PA Spiders - Penn State Entomology Department Fact Sheet with information on the brown recluse. This might be reassuring, "Brown recluse spiders are rarely encountered in Pennsylvania, but they may be transported in boxes and similar items from a locale where the spiders normally occur."

So, the question is, did you introduce these spiders to Pennsylvania??!!

[workinitmom]

I saw a documentary where a home had 1000's of brown recluse spiders. Because of their "reclusive" nature, they caused the homeowners no problems. I think they are more afraid of you than you are of them.

[mczabe]

Originally Posted by workinitmom

I saw a documentary where a home had 1000's of brown recluse spiders. Because of their "reclusive" nature, they caused the homeowners no problems. I think they are more afraid of you than you are of them.

I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth. 1000s????? Egad, I'd have to burn down the house.

[austere]

I've been combing websites like crazy and not sure if it is a recluse. This is a spider I haven't seen in MN, so I'm just not familiar with it. Anyone know an arachnologist in the area???

[mczabe]

You can go to the What'sThatBug website. I've been able to id a few crazy critter there.

[KristyLiz]

Oh, my 7-year old would be so excited! He is a spider fanatic - he loves them!

I am probably the only one on here, who has spiders in bug catchers on her counter right now

[mlambert890]

I had a friend bitten by a Brown Recluse in NYC (Staten Island). I dont think they are common in PA at all (as that other poster mentioned), but of course bugs can get around by hitching rides.

I wouldnt get too paranoid about it. Check out this:

It's NOT a Brown Recluse IF any of the following are true:

1) It's really BIG:
A spider's body is in two main parts. The size of the body, not including legs, of a recluse is smaller than a dime.
2) It's really HAIRY:
Brown recluses have only very fine hairs that are invisible to the naked eye.
3) It JUMPS:
Jumping spiders live up to their name, and some other spiders including wolf spiders occasionally jump, but recluses don't.
4) I found it in a WEB
Brown recluses don't spin a web to catch prey; they spin silk retreats and egg cases, but don't form a typical recognizable web.
5) It has DISTINCT MARKINGS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE, such as stripes, diamonds, chevrons, spots, etc. that are easily seen.
Brown recluses have no markings on their legs or abdomen (the largest part of the spider's body). The "violin" is very small and located on the front half of the body. The violin is also indistinct in some, especially young spiders. They're really rather dull looking

[FLhereIcome]

It's that time of year that we have been seeing a few spiders in our house too. I identified ours at this website - http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uf019.pdf. (Penn State Ag Science).

[mermaid_golfer]

You can call your local extension office and they should be able to help you identify your spider. You can also try stopping by your local Department of Natural Resources Office or State Park. They will have qualified personnel on hand that should be able to answer all your questions.