How to Protect Yourself From the Poisonous Brown Recluse Spider

To see just how bad the infestation was, I started marking down on my calendar how many brown recluse spiders I would see in one day. Some days it would be as high as 8 or 9. The interesting thing about this was the house had been professionally sprayed only a few weeks before we actually moved in. While I can only hope it helped some, the spider population was not fazed, and we continued to see them in large numbers. So, over the years I have learned some tips that help in dealing with these creepy critters.

1. Use Sticky Spider Traps
   

   
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   Buy a large supply of sticky traps (the kind you can fold). When I say a large supply, I mean it. Why? Because you will want to put a couple traps under every bed, dresser, or piece of furniture that you can. I actually put 7-8 traps under my kid’s beds, since they are in a corner of the room, and I especially want that part of the house spider-free. You will also want to put traps in closets, attics, or anywhere that is full of junk and not used often. The brown recluse lives up to its name and hangs out in corners, under furniture, in boxes, or piles of wood or junk. Its reclusive nature may be one reason it is attracted to the small opening made by the spider trap.

   On each trap I use an extra piece of packaging tape to wrap around the outside of the box. This helps the trap last longer (thus cheaper).  I also use a marker to write the month and year I put the trap out. That way I have an idea of recent spider activity. The traps eventually get dusty, especially in high traffic areas, so I flip them if the top portion is still usable (again, I’m cheap!). If not, I throw them away. I rotate traps somewhat, in that I keep fresh traps under the beds, and move the somewhat used (bur still have some life left) traps to the attic. I still have traps from 5 years ago up there. At first, I had to change traps more often, but now I only do it once or twice a year, usually in late February, before it warms up some and the spiders become more active in our cold attic. I don’t change all of them, but check to see if I need new ones, need to move some, or need to throw some away.

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   The cost for four traps is $2-3 dollars – very cheap in comparison to surgery from a spider bite! There are several brands out there and you can purchase them from stores (check by the mouse traps) or order them on-line. There are some other pluses to this method: you will get rid of cockroaches, mice, and other pests (meaning less food for the spiders) and you will avoid the chemicals from pesticides.

   I have used pesticides, but very carefully. The research I have done leads me to believe that breathing in the fumes or getting the product on your skin is not good for you. Personally, I have found that if I use a lot of sticky traps, I do not need to spray as much, and haven’t for a couple years. If you are going to use pesticides, my advice is to wear clothing that will keep the spray from touching your skin, use a filtered mask, wear disposable gloves, and spray when the house is going to be empty for awhile. For instance, if you are going on vacation, get all the pets and people out of the house, and then spray following the instructions on the container. Change your clothes, close up the house and leave. Another piece of advice when choosing a pesticide is to make sure that the brown recluse is listed as one of the insects it kills (it does not just say “spiders”).

2. Caulk

   Seal around your baseboards, windows, and any cracks. This can be a bit time consuming, but worth it. We used almost 30 tubes of caulk in this old farmhouse!

3. Spider-Proof your Closets and Storage Areas
   

   Paint your closet floors white, or a light color. This is not necessarily a method to get rid of spiders; rather it is to help you see them easily so you can deal with them. Our closet floors used to be dark, and it was not easy to see if there was something lurking in the corner. Now that they are white, it is very easy to tell. I use shoe racks to store my shoes off the ground. Though I have never personally found a spider in a shoe, I still shake mine out before putting them on. I have bought large plastic tubs (make sure they have tight lids with no holes) to store items in. They are not fool-proof, but a big help. And yes, I do keep a fly swatter hanging in any storage areas; particularly if it is an area I’ve seen a lot of spiders.

   If you have sink cabinets, don’t forget to caulk around the plumbing and paint white on the inside floor of the cabinet.

4. Keep the Junk Piles Away
   

   Don’t let your laundry pile up on the floor. Use hampers, and train your kids to use them.

   Be sure to shake out whatever you have stored before you use it. Be extra careful when moving furniture or digging in boxes. I have bought a box of cheap disposable surgical gloves to wear when I do this. For instance, when I get down all my boxes of Christmas decorations that have not been used for a year, I will wear the gloves – both to move the boxes, and while I am taking things out of them. This has turned out to be a great idea!

   Keep your junk to a minimum, and DON’T store it under your bed. I do not put anything at all under my beds but sticky traps. Boxes are a big attraction to recluse spiders, so avoid putting boxes under your bed (where you spend a lot of time sleeping). Consider not using a bed skirt, or if you do, one that does not touch the floor.

This is what has helped me. Momma’s best to you in your endeavor (war) against the Brown Recluse!

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