8 House Spider Brown Recluse Look Alike? See the Shocking Differences
When you see first, most spiders seem identical. This causes concern, making people confused with those spiders that look like brown recluse. People can’t figure out if which spider they have spotted in their house. However, not all spiders are dangerous.
There are several brown recluse look alike spiders. Some of them are the spitting spider, southern house spider, and Arizona brown spider. Knowing what the difference is what will keep you safe and prevent panic.
What is a brown recluse spider?
Brown recluse spider is one of the most notorious spiders in the United States. It is popular for its venom, which can harm human skin. In severe cases, the bite breaks down the skin and leaves open sores. Some individuals also become ill with fever or muscle aches.
This spider looks very simple in appearance. Its body is light brown. It has no markings on its back. On its head, you can notice a spot in violin like shape. That is why many refer to it as the violin spider. Its has smooth legs with no spines and and has the same color of as its body.
One easy method of identifying it is by observing the eyes. Brown recluse have only six eyes, while the most others has eight. They are circular in a half circle shape. They prefer to be in quiet, dark areas such as closets or basements.
If you see one, don’t try to catch or kill it. As their defense mechanism, they attack only in danger. Call a pest control expert instead. Though their bites are not always fatal, but they should be approached with caution.
8 Spiders Commonly Mistaken for Brown Recluse
1. Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica)
Spitting spider is small in size, has orange color with black spots. They are small sized spiders, has orange body and visible dark spots. They are famous for catching pray by spraying venom coated web.
Although it contains venom, its fangs are not big enough to affect humans. So, it is not dangerous like brown recluse.
2. Arizona Brown Spider (Loxosceles arizonica)
The Arizona brown spider, often mistaken for the brown recluse, is native to Arizona. Although it shares a similar appearance with its look-alike, this spider is generally smaller in size.
One of its distinguishing features is a faint violin-shaped mark on its back, though this characteristic is subtle and not always easily visible. While it’s commonly confused with the brown recluse, it remains a distinct species with a unique habitat.
These spiders mostly lives near to deserts or calm places close to houses. The feed on insects, particularly carpenter ants. Though not severe as a recluse, its sting also damages skin.
In extremely uncommon cases, it can damage the kidneys. People get it confused with the brown recluse because of that.
3. Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)
When it comes to brown recluse vs house spider, people mostly get confused between them. Females are dark gray and large. They appear as small tarantulas. However, males are more similar to the brown recluse spider.
But there are differences. Male southern house spiders do not have the violin mark. They also have longer pedipalps.
They inhabit near houses, hiding in cracks and corners. Although they appear dangerous, they are harmless and rarely bite.
4. Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocata)
When the topic is wood spider vs brown recluse, it is easy to get confused between both. The woodlouse spider has a reflective body with orange-brown legs.
It has a cream-colored belly, making it unique from other spiders. It has a larger body then other spiders, and its large jaws are easily visible.
This spider takes shelter under wood, mulch, and rocks. Sometimes, it gets inside houses. It preys on woodlice and have powerful jaws capable of crushing them. Despite its rugged appearance, its bite is harmless to humans.
5. Cellar Spider (Pholcus manueli)
The cellar spider also fits the group of spiders commonly mistaken for brown recluse. It has a light brown body and sometimes a mark on its back. But its long thin legs make it different.
Cellar spiders are found in basements and dark storage rooms. They hunt other insects and spiders. They can even beat spiders bigger than them. Despite rumors, their venom is not harmful to people. Their long legs often help people tell them apart from a brown recluse.
6. Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida)
The rabid wolf spider is one more spider similar to brown recluse. It has a pale brown body, but it has bands and patterns that a brown recluse doesn’t have. It’s also larger.
These spiders are fast hunters. They don’t build webs. Instead, they chase their prey. They live in fields, forests, and sometimes near water. They eat ants, grasshoppers, and even other spiders. Their bite may sting, but it is not dangerous and doesn’t spread rabies despite its name.
7. Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)
While talking about The hobo spider vs brown recluse spider, they look same when seeing for the first time. It is brown with patterns on its back. It has long legs and a gray belly with yellow V-shapes. The body is small, but the legs can reach two inches.
Hobo spiders build funnel webs near the ground. They wait for insects to fall into the trap. They don’t climb well, so they stay near floors or corners. People once thought they were dangerous, but studies show they are not harmful to humans.
8. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
The common house spider rounds out the list of spiders that look like brown recluse. It is small, brown, and has similar body parts. Some even have dark leg bands. This makes them hard to tell apart.
Males have orange legs, while females show a yellowish tint. They build webs in many places like homes, barns, and sheds. These spiders help by catching pests. Though they have venom, it’s too weak to hurt people.
FAQs
How do I know if it’s a brown recluse or not?
Check for the violin-shaped mark and six eyes in a semicircle. Many spiders commonly mistaken for brown recluse have patterns or longer legs.
Are brown recluse bites deadly?
Most bites heal, but some cause skin damage. If bitten, see a doctor fast.
What is the difference between a wood spider and brown recluse?
Wood spider vs brown recluse can be told apart by color and shape. Woodlouse spiders have red legs and shiny bodies, with large jaws.
Still Not Sure? Just Call Our Pest Control Professionals!
If you’re still unsure whether it’s a house spider brown recluse look alike or the real thing, don’t risk it. These spiders can be tricky to identify, and guessing wrong isn’t worth it. Just call our pest control professionals, we’ll inspect the area, identify the spider, and take care of it quickly and safely.