Brown Recluse Spider

Brown recluse spiders are light to dark brown, about the size of a quarter including legs. Their most distinctive feature is a dark, violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (head region) with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. Unlike most spiders, brown recluses have six eyes arranged in three pairs rather than the typical eight. Their legs are long, thin, and uniformly colored without bands or spines.

Brown recluses are shy and nocturnal, so they are rarely seen in the open. Look for small, irregular, off-white webs in undisturbed areas like storage boxes, closets, attics, basements, and behind furniture. Shed skins may accumulate in harborage areas. Bites often occur when a spider is trapped against skin in clothing, bedding, or shoes that have been undisturbed for a period.

MBPC uses a combination of residual insecticide application in harborage areas, sticky trap monitoring, and habitat modification to reduce brown recluse populations. Dusting wall voids and attic spaces with a desiccant dust provides long-lasting control. We also recommend reducing clutter, sealing cracks around baseboards and door frames, and using sealed storage containers instead of open cardboard boxes. Our methods are tailored for the subtropical coastal environment of Myrtle Beach, SC, accounting for humidity and sandy soil conditions that can affect treatment efficacy.

Reduce clutter in closets, attics, and basements — cardboard boxes are prime harborage. Switch to sealed plastic storage containers. Shake out shoes, gloves, and clothing stored in garages or sheds before wearing, especially after a SC vacation property has been closed up between rental seasons. The seasonal occupancy patterns common in Grand Strand beach houses create ideal brown recluse conditions — undisturbed closets, guest bedrooms, and storage areas during vacancy periods allow spiders to establish without detection. Given the sandy soil and surrounding salt marshes, ensure proper sealing of crawlspaces and foundations to prevent access. When opening a seasonal home or retrieving stored beach gear, boogie boards, and folded chairs, wear gloves and inspect items carefully. Install door sweeps and seal gaps around baseboards and utility penetrations.

Brown recluses prefer dark, undisturbed indoor spaces typical of Myrtle Beach homes. They are commonly found in closets, attics, basements, crawlspaces, storage rooms, and garages. They often hide behind wall hangings, inside seldom-used shoes, in stacked cardboard boxes, and under furniture. Given the climate, they may also be found in outdoor structures like sheds and under palmetto fronds. They thrive in the undisturbed indoor spaces common in coastal homes and vacation properties throughout the Grand Strand.

Peak activity: Spring-Fall