What's Attracting Brown Recluse Spiders To Your Garden And What You Can Do To Stop It

Most people aren't terribly pleased to encounter any kind of spider, but brown recluse spiders tend to spark even more fear than the average eight-legged interloper. You've probably heard horror stories of hospitalization for severe skin lesions following bites — but this is a bit of an overdramatization. In fact, according to Penn State Extension, 90% of bites result in no or very little skin reaction, and only 10% of bite victims experience a dermonecrotic reaction; fewer than 1% of cases result in kidney injury or death – and usually this only occurs in the very young. All the same, it's a good idea to take bites seriously and employ measures to discourage brown recluse spiders from hanging around your home and garden, like removing piles of debris from your yard or shed.

Although these tan- or brown-colored spiders are easily confused with other species, you can identify them by the violin-shaped markings on their cephalothorax (the front part of their body just behind the head) or their eyes — unlike most spiders, which have eight eyes, brown recluses have six, arranged in pairs in a semi-circle. They are found throughout the midwestern and south-central U.S., but they are also sometimes transported via interstate cargo to other regions; in fact, there have been reports of brown recluse spiders in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states outside their usual range. If you've seen multiple brown recluses around, it's likely that your yard or home has some of the prime amenities they look for in potential real estate, like undisturbed storage areas in your garden shed. By removing these, you can make your yard less hospitable to these spiders.

The primary thing you need to know about brown recluse spiders is that they are, well, reclusive. They aren't actually aggressive and would really prefer to be left alone. However, their habitual shyness unfortunately means that they sometimes go looking for hiding spots in places where humans can surprise them. Most bites are a defensive reaction to an unexpected encounter — for example, a person reaches into a stack of stored firewood, not knowing there's a brown recluse hunkered down in there. They tend to favor hiding spots that are warm, dry, and undisturbed, such as piles of debris, woodpiles, shed or attic storage, and under logs and rocks, all of which may already be part of your garden.

Another consideration is their feeding behavior. They don't really build webs except to lay their eggs, and tend to be active nocturnal hunters, but they'll also scavenge dead prey just as happily. If favored prey items — silverfish, roaches, crickets, other spiders, and dead insects — are plentiful in an area, it's more likely they'll stick around longer, so you may want to do some research on how to keep bugs out of sheds and other areas around your yard.

Before researching the best ways to kill spiders, keep in mind that clutter control is probably your best weapon against brown recluses, especially when it comes to storage sheds and other areas that don't see much human traffic. Eliminate piles of firewood and garden tools, and make sure any holiday decorations, sports equipment, and other seasonal items are in carefully sealed boxes. Make sure you aren't storing stacks of plywood or other materials directly against your house and make sure any cracks are well sealed, as brown recluses are adept at finding ways to squeeze inside. 

Always exercise caution when rummaging around in piles of wood or sorting through storage boxes, and consider wearing some tough leather gloves while you do yardwork. Although you'll most often encounter brown recluses in and around yard structures, outdoor populations tend to favor the undersides of flat stones as hiding places, so maybe consider doing away with that flagstone garden path.

Keep on top of your shed or garden's insect population so there won't be an excess of food options to tempt spiders. If your outdoor lights are drawing in crickets and other nighttime insects, make sure it's well shielded, or you may want to do without. Vacuuming out the corners and crannies of storage areas to get rid of dead insects is also a good idea, as brown recluses aren't picky about an easy meal. If you suspect you're facing an infestation, it's always a good idea to consult professional exterminators just to be safe.