Because so many spiders are brown, the brown recluse spider has become an eight-legged terror for Georgia residents. File photo

Because so many spiders are brown, the brown recluse spider has become an eight-legged terror for Georgia residents.

Credit: File photo / Ledger-Enquirer

Seeing a spider in your home or garage is unsettling for sure. But if you see one with such a scary reputation, like the brown recluse, how do you know what to do next?

Here’s what Georgia folks need to know about how to spot the spider and what to do if you encounter one.

 

Brown recluse spiders are rare in GA but not impossible

Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa) are fairly rare in Georgia. According to studies from the University of Georgia, only 31 out of Georgia’s 159 counties have confirmed reports of brown recluse spiders and a sighting south of the Fall Line are extremely unusual.

While Georgia poison centers have recorded hundreds of spider bites reported as “brown recluse,” entomologists confirm that the actual number of genuine brown recluse bites is extremely low.

 

It may not be a brown recluse, after all

Nancy Hinkle, an entomologist at the University of Georgia, warns that many so-called brown recluse bites turn out to be the result of other causes, like bacterial infections. She believes many assumed brown recluse bites could be methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, so it’s important to get the right treatment.

Other misdiagnosed wounds could be infections, other insect bites, diabetes, bed sores, Lyme disease, anthrax or necrotizing bacteria, some of which can be fatal if not treated fast, she added.

Consequently, its really important to verify the critter in question is, in fact, actually a brown recluse spider.

 

How to identify a brown recluse

If you see a spider skittering across your floor and you suspect it might be a brown recluse, there are a few features you should look for.

Here’s what Georgia scientists say to look for:

  • Light to medium brown in color
  • A dark violin-shaped marking on the back, right where the legs attach to the body
  • About the size of a quarter in size
  • Brown recluse spiders have six eyes arranged in pairs (most spiders have eight eyes in two rows)
  • They don’t spin elaborate webs, but prefer hiding in secluded areas 

 

Tips for staying safe

While encountering it’s smart to take precautions in outbuildings or crawl spaces.

Wildlife experts offer some advice:

  • Wear gloves when cleaning garages, attics, or sheds
  • Shake out shoes, clothing, and bedding that have not been unused for a while
  • Keep areas clutter-free and seal cracks around doors or windows
  • Store boxes off the floor and sealed tightly
  • Avoid leaving shoes or toys outdoors overnight

 

Treating a brown recluse bite

While encountering a brown recluse is unlikely, if do you get bitten, follow the following steps:

  • Wash the bite area with soap and water
  • Apply a cool compress
  • Seek medical attention, if the bite shows severe redness, pain, or forms an ulcer

The most important advice you can follow is not to panic. Since these kinds of spider bites are rare in Georgia and most spiders you find are beneficial pest controllers, it’s smart to stat informed from credible resources like UGA Extension and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

What sorts of scary critters have you encountered in your home or yard? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Tags: Spiders  Georgia  wildlife