Integrated Pest Management of the Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa (Gertsch and Mulaik; Araneae: Sicariidae), was first determined to be medically important in North America in 1957. Since that time, its infamous reputation has spread far beyond its actual distribution, such that in areas in North America where the brown recluse is not known to exist, doctors diagnose a multitude of non-spider related skin lesions as recluse bites and home owners misidentify harmless spiders as recluses. In indigenous areas, this synanthropic spider can generate extensive populations within homes and work buildings where interaction with humans in the form of potential envenomations and anxiety-filled paranoia is heightened. Additionally, the brown recluse can be a valid real-world concern in the real estate housing business as well as spawning litigation. Reduction and control of brown recluses in homes and businesses is of importance for those who have proven populations of the spider. In this article, we review biology and life history of the brown recluse spider as it relates to pest management as well as control measures as they pertain to an IPM strategy for this urban arachnid.