

However, it’s important to learn the difference between a generic house spider and the slightly-concerning Brown Recluse. Most species of house spiders are entirely harmless to humans (and can be useful agents of indoor insect control). In reality, you probably have dozens, or even hundreds of spider species in your home – more than you care to think about! House spider is a generic term to describe any spider you find in your house. Huntsman spiders do not have this.Īndrew Balcombe/ What are they? The markings: Both spiders are brown, but Brown Recluse spiders have a distinctive, violin-shaped marking on their abdomens.The size: Huntsman spiders are usually much bigger than Brown Recluse spiders, which are only the size of an American quarter.Huntsman spiders are sometimes mistaken for Brown Recluse spiders, but there are two easy ways to tell them apart. However, they can deliver a painful bite (which may cause side-effects) if provoked. With a leg span of up to 12 inches (about the size of a dinner plate), the Giant Huntsman Spider is one of the largest spiders on Earth (though the average Huntsman measures a mere 5 inches).Īs terrifying as they sound, Huntsman spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. Unlike most spiders (which use their webs to entangle bugs) the Huntsman spider chases down its prey on foot.Īs you might expect, they’re extremely fast and can grow to monstrous sizes.

Huntsman spiders are so-named for their formidable hunting skills. 4 Spiders that look like a brown recluse but aren’t 1. However, they are well adapted for indoor living, and it’s not uncommon for them to find their way into attics and basements.Īlthough Brown Recluse spiders are not aggressive and their bites are rare, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these arachnids and their look-alikes. Brown Recluse spiders are small (about the size of a quarter) and unremarkable looking, but their bite can cause serious wounds.īy nature, the Brown Recluse spider is an outdoor bug and is usually found under woodpiles and rocks. The Brown Recluse spider (sometimes also known as the violin or fiddleback spider) is a potentially dangerous arachnid found throughout the South Central and Midwestern United States. There are several other types of harmless brown spiders that are often found in houses and look very similar to the Brown Recluse, but how can you tell them apart? What are Brown Recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa)? Brown Recluse spiders are uncommon outside of the South Central and Midwestern States but often come indoors for shelter during the colder seasons. The Brown Recluse spider is mostly unremarkable-looking, but its bite (though rare) can cause serious flesh wounds.
