DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — As fall weather settles into the Wiregrass, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is reminding residents to watch for brown recluse spiders, a reclusive species that can occasionally cause medically significant bites. Extension guidance notes the spiders are found statewide but are more common in north Alabama.
The brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is light to dark brown and often shows a violin-shaped mark on the head-thorax area. A more reliable ID feature is six eyes arranged in three pairs; most spiders have eight. Females are about ¼ to ½ inch long, with a leg span near an inch.
Extension specialists say brown recluses prefer warm, dry, undisturbed spots such as closets, attics, basements, and storage boxes, and outdoors under woodpiles or debris. They usually bite only when pressed against skin, such as in stored clothing or bedding. Most bites heal in a few weeks, but some can develop necrotic sores.
Recommended steps include reducing clutter, sealing cracks around doors and windows, shaking out stored items, and using sealed bins for clothing and shoes. Residents who suspect an infestation should consider a licensed pest professional. For suspected bites, Extension advises cleaning the wound, applying cold packs, and seeking medical care; bringing or photographing the spider can help with identification.
