(208) 297-7947

Spiders & Scorpions

Brown Recluse Spider

Loxosceles reclusa

Danger Level: 5/5Updated September 2026 · Boise, ID

IdentificationHow to Identify Brown Recluse Spider

Quick Answer

Brown recluse spiders are identified by the distinctive dark violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax (head region), with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. They're uniformly tan to dark brown with no stripes on their legs.

Full identification notes

Crucially, they have only 6 eyes arranged in 3 pairs (most spiders have 8). Body size is about the size of a quarter with legs extended.

Get Help Now
Spider Control

  • Free

    Re-Service Between Visits

  • 4.9/5

    Google Rating

  • 9 to 5

    Office Hours, Mon to Fri

Brown Recluse Spider Behavior & Habits

Understanding how brown recluse spider behave helps prevent infestations

True to their name, brown recluses are reclusive and shy.

More about their habits

They hide in dark, undisturbed areas and only bite when trapped against skin. That usually happens when someone slips on stored clothing or shoes without checking first. They're nocturnal hunters that don't spin webs to catch prey, and they can survive months without food or water.

Brown Recluse Spider Risks & Dangers

What brown recluse spider can do to your health and property

Health Risks

Brown recluse venom is necrotic, meaning it can destroy tissue around the bite site.

Property Damage

No property damage.

Full health and property details

Health Risks

While most bites heal without serious complications, some develop into necrotic lesions that require medical treatment. Severe reactions can cause systemic symptoms. Bites often aren't felt initially, making identification difficult.

Property Damage

The concern is entirely health-related.

Signs of Brown Recluse Spider Infestation

Look for these indicators in your home

Signs You Have Brown Recluse Spider

What homeowners spot first

  1. Tan to brown spider with violin marking on back
  2. Spider found in stored boxes, clothing, or shoes
  3. Irregular, messy webs in corners (retreat webs, not prey webs)
More signs to look for
  1. Sightings in closets, attics, or storage areas
  2. Spider with noticeably long legs relative to body

Brown Recluse Spider in Boise & the Treasure Valley

Here's the good news for Treasure Valley homeowners: brown recluse spiders aren't established in Idaho.

More on what we see locally

The few that show up here arrive as hitchhikers in moving boxes, furniture, and shipments from the Midwest or South. In nearly every Boise, Meridian, or Eagle call we've taken for a suspected brown recluse, the spider turned out to be a hobo spider or another harmless look-alike. If you've recently moved here from a known brown recluse state, though, it's worth having any suspect spider checked before you assume.

Our Solution

How We Handle Brown Recluse Spider

What our approach looks like

If you've confirmed a brown recluse in your Boise home, we treat it as a serious job.

Our full approach

We apply residual barrier treatments to cracks, crevices, and hiding spots, and place sticky traps that catch wandering spiders and show where they are active. We also walk you through habitat changes that cut off their hiding places. Because these spiders can survive months in low-traffic areas, full control can take several months of follow-up.

Learn About Our Spider Control

How to Prevent Brown Recluse Spider

Steps you can take to reduce the risk of infestation

  1. Shake out stored clothing and shoes before wearing
  2. Use plastic storage containers instead of cardboard boxes
  3. Keep clothing and bedding off floors
More prevention steps
  1. Reduce clutter in closets and storage areas
  2. Seal cracks around doors, windows, and foundations
  3. Use gloves when handling stored items or firewood
  4. Install door sweeps and repair window screens

Brown Recluse Spider Questions Answered

Common questions about identification, prevention, and treatment

Call (208) 297-7947

Are brown recluse spiders common in Idaho?

Quick answerNo.

Brown recluses aren't established in Idaho. Their native range is the Midwest and South. They do occasionally arrive in boxes, furniture, or shipments from those regions, but most "brown recluse" sightings in Boise are actually hobo spiders or other harmless look-alikes.

How can I tell if it's really a brown recluse?

Quick answerLook for: 1) The violin-shaped marking on the back (not abdomen), 2) Uniform tan-brown color with no stripes on legs, 3) Only 6 eyes in 3 pairs (requires close inspection).

If in doubt, capture it safely and have a professional identify it.

What should I do if I'm bitten?

Quick answerClean the bite area, apply ice, and seek medical attention, especially if the bite area becomes red, swollen, or develops a blister.

If possible, capture the spider for identification. Most bites heal without complications, but medical monitoring is a smart call.

Think You Have Brown Recluse Spider?

Call and we'll talk through your options. We usually get out within 24 to 48 hours.

Quarterly plans starting at

$119/quarter

  • No-Obligation Quote
  • Locally Owned
  • Free Re-Service Between Visits

Call Now

Or call now: (208) 297-7947

(208) 297-7947

Our Pest Control Services

Complete pest protection. Professional solutions for every pest problem, on a quarterly plan or a one-time visit.

View All Services

Proudly Serving the Treasure Valley

Local technicians from the Treasure Valley, in Boise, Meridian, and surrounding communities.

View All Service Areas

Pest Control Resources

Expert tips & guides. Local pest knowledge from Boise's trusted exterminators