Brown Recluse Spider Control

Brown Recluse Spiders In Central Texas

The brown recluse is the other spider of real concern in Central Texas, identified by the violin-shaped mark behind its head.

Because the brown recluse hides in quiet, cluttered spaces and bites only when trapped, control focuses on the undisturbed storage it favors, and the NIH MedlinePlus guide to the brown recluse describes the bite and when to seek care.

Signs You Have Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluses stay hidden, but a few signs point to them:

• Light brown spiders with a violin mark in undisturbed storage.
• Spiders in shoes, clothing, and boxes that have sat undisturbed.
• Irregular, off-white webbing in corners of closets, attics, and garages, used for shelter rather than catching prey.
• Bites noticed after putting on stored clothing or shoes.
• Spiders in quiet, cluttered spaces people rarely check.

Are Brown Recluse Spiders Dangerous?

The brown recluse is medically significant because its bite can, in some cases, cause a slow-healing, ulcerating wound, though many bites remain minor. The NIH MedlinePlus guide to the brown recluse describes the symptoms and when to seek care.

The spider is reclusive and not aggressive, so nearly all bites happen when one is pressed against skin, such as inside a shoe, glove, or bedding. Reducing the clutter it hides in and being careful with stored items are the best ways to avoid a bite.

How We Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders

Stride treats brown recluses through the five-step Stride Forward process, aimed at the undisturbed spaces they favor:

1. Inspect. We check closets, attics, garages, boxes, and stored clothing where brown recluses hide.
2. Identify. We confirm brown recluses by the violin mark and six-eye pattern.
3. Recommend. We point out the clutter to reduce and the clothing and shoes to store sealed.
4. Treat. We apply a residual and a dust into the voids, cracks, and storage where they shelter, and place monitors to track activity.
5. Evaluate. We monitor on recurring visits, since recluses hide well and take follow-up to fully clear.

Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.

How to Keep Brown Recluse Spiders Away

Keeping brown recluses away centers on reducing hiding spots and using care:

• Declutter closets, attics, and garages where they hide.
• Store clothing and shoes sealed, or shake them out before use.
• Move beds away from walls and keep bedding off the floor.
• Seal gaps around baseboards, closets, and the foundation.
• Use glue monitors to catch and track them in storage areas.

Brown Recluse Spider Control Frequently Asked Questions

Stride Forward is our Integrated Pest Management program where we partner with our clients in the long-term removal and prevention of pests. Keeping your property free of unwanted insects and rodents works best when we work together.

The program combines habitat manipulation, biological control, cultural behavior changes, and the targeted use of products designed to repel or eradicate pests. Our approach follows five steps, with non-chemical methods prioritized before any product application.

Our Certifications & Awards

Stride Pest Control holds QualityPro and GreenPro certifications through the NPMA’s Foundation for Professional Pest Management, and fewer than 3% of pest control companies nationwide hold both. QualityPro requires background checks on every service member, a drug-free workplace, and 16 standards that exceed state and federal requirements.

Our Austin and Round Rock office operates under Texas Department of Agriculture license TPCL #667951, with Burton Johnston as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our San Antonio office operates under TPCL #827449, with Alex Randall as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our office manager, Michael Honeycutt, is an Associate Certified Entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.

Founded in 2013, we have served nearly 12,000 customers across Central Texas and hold a 4.9-star rating across 2,400+ reviews with an A+ from the BBB.