Dangerous or Doppelganger – What Spiders Look Like Brown Recluses?

Dangerous or Doppelganger – What Spiders Look Like Brown Recluses?

Ah, the brown recluse spider – the stuff of nightmares for arachnophobes everywhere. 

With their venomous bites and eerie appearance, it’s no wonder many people are on high alert when they spot a brown recluse lurking in their home. 

But what about those other spiders that look a lot like them? Are they equally as dangerous or just sneaky doppelgangers? It’s time to unravel this web once and for all. 

So what spiders look like brown recluse spiders? Let’s grab our magnifying glasses to take a closer look.

What Are Brown Recluse Spiders?

Let’s talk about one of the most feared spiders out there – the brown recluse. 

Now, what makes the brown recluse so dangerous? For starters, their venom can cause some serious damage. It can destroy tissues surrounding the bite area, leading to a nasty wound. In some cases, people can even experience systemic reactions like fever, nausea, and muscle pain.

In terms of appearance, though, brown recluses are actually pretty plain except for their cephalothorax – their overall color is uniformly brown, and their abdomen is without any patterning. However their cephalothorax always sports a violin-shaped brown marking. Their legs are also uniform in color and lack spines. They’re most active at night.

When it comes to identifying these sneaky little spiders and differentiating them from other species, you’ll want to take a close look at their eyes. Brown recluse spiders have three pairs of eyes that are arranged in a semicircular pattern. Their cephalothorax (the head and body area) is a uniform brown color with a darker brown pattern in the center that closely resembles a violin.

If you do happen to come across a brown recluse, it’s best to keep your distance and call a professional to remove it. Don’t try to handle it yourself – these spiders are known to be reclusive (hence the name) and usually only bite when they feel threatened.

What Spiders Look Like Brown Recluse Spiders?

Here are some spiders mistaken for brown recluse. 

Common House Spiders

Let’s start with the common house spider. These little buggers are found pretty much everywhere, from houses to barns to sheds. They are brown in color and have a distinctive shape, with a round body and long, skinny legs. They are often mistaken for brown recluses because of their coloring, but they are not venomous. They tend to be thinner and lack the violin markings, too.

Hobo Spiders

Next up, we have the hobo spider. This spider is often found in dark, damp places like basements and crawl spaces. They are brown in color and have a similar body shape to the common house spider. They are often mistaken for brown recluses because of their coloring and aggressive behavior, but again, they are not venomous.

Cellar Spiders

The cellar spider is often confused for the infamous brown recluse, but they’re harmless – and quite different. They’re long-legged and tend to hang out in webs in darker areas like basements and garages. And speaking of webs, cellar spiders are known for producing some pretty intricate ones. 

When it comes to their appearance, they have a distinct body shape that’s longer and skinnier than that of a brown recluse. They’re also unique in that they have eight eyes, with two clusters of three eyes and a pair of eyes in between.

Wolf Spiders

These spiders are usually brown or gray and have distinct markings on their backs. They are hairy and have long, spiny legs. They are often found in grassy areas and may come inside homes in search of prey. Again, they are not venomous like the brown recluse, though they certainly look intimidating.

Funnel Weaver Spiders

Another spider that looks like a brown recluse is the funnel weaver spider. They are brown in color and have a hairy body and legs. They produce dense silk webs that have a funnel where the spider can retreat inside. Often, these spiders are found outdoors, as the webs are typically built on lawns and in the corners of houses. 

Kick These Brown Recluse Look-Alikes to the Curb

If you’re tired of living in fear of brown recluse spiders and their sneaky imitators, it’s time to kick them all to the curb. And what better way to do that than by calling in the experts at Hawx Pest Control? We’re a family of pest-fighting professionals who take pride in ridding your home of unwanted creepy crawlies.

Don’t let these deceivingly similar spiders fool you any longer! Our team knows exactly how to identify and eliminate these brown recluse look-alikes to keep your home safe and spider-free.

So why wait? Give Hawx Pest Control a call and say goodbye to your spider-related worries for good. Our team is approachable, friendly, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Join our family of satisfied customers today!