Animal Population
Brown Recluse Spiders by State 2025
Brown Recluse Presence
Established Habitat
Isolated Occurence
None
State | Brown Recluse Presence↑ | |
|---|---|---|
 | Alabama | Established Habitat |
 | Arkansas | Established Habitat |
 | Georgia | Established Habitat |
 | Illinois | Established Habitat |
 | Indiana | Established Habitat |
 | Iowa | Established Habitat |
 | Kansas | Established Habitat |
 | Kentucky | Established Habitat |
 | Louisiana | Established Habitat |
 | Mississippi | Established Habitat |
 | Missouri | Established Habitat |
 | Nebraska | Established Habitat |
 | Ohio | Established Habitat |
 | Oklahoma | Established Habitat |
 | Tennessee | Established Habitat |
 | Texas | Established Habitat |
 | Arizona | Isolated Occurence |
 | California | Isolated Occurence |
 | District of Columbia | Isolated Occurence |
 | Florida | Isolated Occurence |
 | New Jersey | Isolated Occurence |
 | North Carolina | Isolated Occurence |
 | Pennsylvania | Isolated Occurence |
 | Washington | Isolated Occurence |
 | Wyoming | Isolated Occurence |
 | Alaska | None |
 | Colorado | None |
 | Connecticut | None |
 | Delaware | None |
 | Hawaii | None |
 | Idaho | None |
 | Maine | None |
 | Maryland | None |
 | Massachusetts | None |
 | Michigan | None |
 | Minnesota | None |
 | Montana | None |
 | Nevada | None |
 | New Hampshire | None |
 | New Mexico | None |
 | New York | None |
 | North Dakota | None |
 | Oregon | None |
 | Rhode Island | None |
 | South Carolina | None |
 | South Dakota | None |
 | Utah | None |
 | Vermont | None |
 | Virginia | None |
 | West Virginia | None |
 | Wisconsin | None |
Sightings of both the brown recluse spider and occurrences its bites are notoriously overestimated by the general public, and even by medical professionals. This is largely due to two facts:
- The brown recluse looks so similar to several other species of spider that even an entomologist may require a microscope to identify it. Thus, it is often blamed for bites inflicted by other spiders.
- Brown recluse bites resemble a wide range of maladies, so afflictions ranging from other insect or spider bites to bacterial infections are often misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites.
If you have ever seen a spider in your home, you are probably wondering whether it can hurt you. The good news is that the vast majority of spiders are not going to hurt you, but you might come across a brown recluse spider from time to time. These spiders are not necessarily everywhere across the country, but they do have the ability to hurt you.
The brown recluse spider is a venomous spider. It is one of the smallest spiders that you might see in your home, and they are commonly found in attics and basements across the country. Some environments are more conducive to brown recluse spiders and others, and it is important for you to use extreme caution if you come across one.
Are Brown Recluse Spiders Dangerous To People?
Yes, a brown recluse spider is dangerous to humans. Like other spiders, a brown recluse spider is generally afraid of people. On the other hand, it may attack you if it feels threatened. If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important for you to seek medical care as quickly as possible. The venom is dangerous, and it can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Brown Recluse Venom?
If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, you will not necessarily develop symptoms right away. At the same time, the venom can cause a variety of symptoms. For example, you might start to feel a bit tired, and you may develop nausea and vomiting. People who are bitten by a brown recluse spider will also develop headaches, muscle aches, and pains.
Depending on where you are bitten, the symptoms could get worse. For example, if the venom gets into your bloodstream, you may develop a fever and red blood cell abnormality. You might also develop issues with blood clots, which can cause some of your organs to shut down. This is the biggest reason why you need to seek medical care as quickly as possible if you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider. With appropriate medical care, it may be possible to prevent some of these more serious symptoms from developing.
What States Have Brown Recluse Spiders?
Brown recluse spiders can be found all over the country. In general, these are spiders that enjoy warmer climates, but they can be found in some cooler states as well. If you live in the southeast, you definitely need to keep your eyes open for brown recluse spiders. They are frequently found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Keep in mind that these are locations where brown recluse spiders have been confirmed.
It is highly likely that brown recluse spiders can be found in other areas as well, but they are not commonly cited. Some states that have had isolated occurrences of brown recluse spiders include Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming. They have also been found in the District of Columbia. Remember that if you feel like you have been bitten by one of these spiders, you need to seek medical care.
