There are no brown recluse populations in California. Most “recluse bites” here are misdiagnosed skin problems. This guide shows how to spot a true recluse, common look-alikes, and safe, simple steps you can take at home. Use non-chemical actions first. For any treatment, follow the label and local rules, and contact a licensed professional if needed.

Identification — Simple Checklist

A true recluse must have ALL of these:

• Six eyes in 3 pairs (most spiders have 8).
• Plain abdomen: one color, fine hairs, no pattern.
• No leg spines (legs look smooth, just fine hairs).
• Plain legs: no rings, no stripes, no spots.
• Small body: up to 3/8 inch (about 9–10 mm) long.

Fast rule-out (10-second check):

• Count 8 eyes? Not a recluse.
• See bold stripes/rings on legs? Not a recluse.
• See a patterned abdomen? Not a recluse.
• Only the “violin” mark? That does not prove recluse.

How to check safely:

• Capture, don’t crush: glass + card, then photo.
• Use a clear, close photo of the head (eyes) and legs.
• If you cannot confirm all 5 traits, treat it as not a recluse and move on to simple prevention steps.

Look-Alikes — Common Spiders People Mistake for Recluses

If it has 8 eyes or striped/patterned legs or belly, it is not a recluse.

Very common look-alikes

• Cellar spiders (long-leg “daddy longlegs” type): 8 eyes, thin legs, hangs in messy webs. Not a recluse.
• Wolf spiders: fast runners, big eye rows, striped legs. Not a recluse.
• Sac spiders (yellow/tan): small, 8 eyes, may nip, but not a recluse.
• Ground / grass / orb-weaver spiders: brown or patterned, often with ringed legs; orb-weavers make round webs. Not recluses.
• False black widow (Steatoda grossa) and male black widow: darker body; 8 eyes. Not recluses.
• Zoropsis and Titiotus (large brown house spiders): common indoors in CA; patterned body; 8 eyes. Not recluses.

Six-eyed but still not recluses

• Spitting spiders (Scytodes): 6 eyes in pairs but spotted body and a domed head.
• Woodlouse spider (Dysdera): 6 eyes in two groups of three (not 3 pairs), red jaws, smooth shiny look.

Quick compare (10-second table)

If you see…	Likely group	Why it’s not a recluse
8 eyes total	Most house spiders	Recluses have 6 eyes only
Striped or ringed legs	Wolf/grass/orb-weavers	Recluses have plain legs
Patterned abdomen	Many house spiders	Recluses have plain abdomen
Big round web in a doorway	Orb-weaver	Recluses don’t make big orb webs
“Violin” mark but 8 eyes	Look-alike	The violin is not reliable

What to do: Capture with cup + card, take a clear photo of eyes and legs, and use the recluse checklist. If it fails any checklist item, move on to simple prevention steps.

Where They Live — Simple Range Guide

• Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa): lives in the Midwest and South.
  Not established in California. A single stowaway does not mean a local population.
• In California (rare cases):
  • Desert recluse (L. deserta): Sonoran/Mojave deserts and nearby low foothills. Few homes.
  • Chilean recluse (L. laeta): small pockets in older Los Angeles commercial basements. Not spreading.
  • Mediterranean recluse (L. rufescens): interceptions only in cargo. No established populations.
• What this means for your home:
  If you live outside desert zones or LA basement pockets, recluse risk is near zero. Most “brown spiders” in homes are look-alikes.
• Before any control:
  Confirm ALL ID points (6 eyes in 3 pairs, plain abdomen, no leg spines, plain legs, small body).
  Use non-chemical steps first (clutter, sealing, traps). For treatment, follow the label and local rules and call a licensed pro only after true confirmation.

Habitat & Life — Where They Hide and How They Behave

• Shy and nocturnal. They hide in the day. They come out at night to hunt.
• Clutter lovers. Best places: boxes, woodpiles, stacked lumber, tarps, tires, storage bins, garage corners.
• Indoor retreats. Quiet spots: closets, under furniture, behind pictures, inside cardboard.
• Webs are small. Not big round webs. Just small silk retreats and short trip lines.
• Males wander. They roam at night to find females. This is when people may see them.
• Clothes and shoes risk. A spider may hide in shoes or clothing left on the floor.
• Bed contact. Bites can happen if a spider is trapped in sheets. Keep the bed off the wall; no bed skirt.
• Long-lived, low needs. They can live 2–4 years and survive months without food.
• If present, often many. In the right setting, you rarely have just one.

Simple prevention from habitat facts:
Cut clutter. Lift storage off the floor. Use sealed plastic bins. Shake out shoes and clothes. Seal gaps at doors and pipes. Place sticky traps along baseboards to monitor.

Health & Bites — Simple Care

• Most bites are mild. Redness, tender skin, small sore. Many “bites” are not from spiders.
• Serious sores are rare. If a deep ulcer forms or pain spreads, get medical care fast.
• Many sores at once? Think infection (for example, MRSA) or other pests. See a doctor.

First aid for minor cases (RICE):

• Rest the area.
• Cold pack (not ice direct) for 10–15 minutes, on and off.
• Compression with a light bandage if swollen.
• Elevation above the heart to reduce swelling.
  Also: wash with soap and water. Do not cut, lance, or “suck out” anything.

When to see a doctor now:

• Fever, chills, vomiting, or fast-spreading redness.
• A black center or growing open wound.
• Bite on the face, hands, or genitals.
• Children, elderly, or immune-compromised persons.
• You are simply worried—get checked.

Keep evidence if safe:
Catch with cup + card or take a clear photo (eyes and legs). This helps ID and avoids wrong treatment.

What To Do — Non-chemical First

• Cut clutter. Clear piles of boxes, wood, tarps, tires, bags—especially near walls and in the garage.
• Smart storage. Use sealed plastic bins. Keep bins off the floor on shelves or pallets.
• Seal entry points. Caulk gaps at doors, pipes, and cables. Add door sweeps. Fix torn screens.
• Bed setup. Move the bed away from the wall. Remove bed skirts. Keep nothing under the bed.
• Clothes & shoes. Don’t leave them on the floor. Shake out before use. Store seasonal gear in closed bins.
• Sticky traps (monitoring). Place along baseboards and behind furniture (away from kids and pets). Check weekly.
• Catch, don’t crush. Use cup + card to capture; take a clear photo of eyes and legs for ID.
• Outdoor cleanup. Move woodpiles and junk away from the house. Keep foundation clear.
• Housekeeping. Vacuum corners, closets, and under furniture. Remove webbing and dead insects (spider food).
• When to call a pro. After you confirm real recluse signs (all 5 ID points) or you keep catching similar spiders indoors.

Recluse & Household Spider Control — Active Ingredients (Client-Ready)

Chemicals are a supporting layer. Pair with decluttering, web removal, sealing, and sticky-trap monitoring. Always follow the label and local regulations. No rates/brands provided.

Active ingredient	IRAC	Role	Best use	Note
Bifenthrin	3A	Residual perimeter	Exterior bands, foundation	Long residual; mild repellency
Deltamethrin	3A	Residual C&C	Baseboards, frames, seams	Pair with web removal
Lambda-cyhalothrin	3A	Residual (often microencapsulated)	Doors/windows, siding	Weather-tolerant belts
Cyfluthrin / Cypermethrin / Permethrin	3A	Residual/contact	General perimeter & edges	Knockdown + residual
Chlorfenapyr	13	Non-repellent residual	Hidden harborages/voids	Slower onset; strong persistence
Etofenprox	3A	Low-odor residual	Indoor boundary lines	Follow label constraints
Pyrethrins	—	Fast knockdown	Direct spray on sight	Short residual—bridge to residuals
Silica gel / DE	—	Desiccant dust	Voids, attics, crawlspaces	Very long residual; PPE/dust control

Rumors and facts

Rumors	Fact
“Brown recluses live all over California.”	False. No established populations in California.
“The violin mark proves it’s a recluse.”	False. Best ID is 6 eyes in 3 pairs + plain body/legs + no leg spines + small size.
“One brown spider indoors = infestation.”	Not necessarily. Most brown house spiders are look-alikes. Confirm all 5 ID points first.
“Many skin sores = many spider bites.”	Unlikely. Often infection (e.g., MRSA) or other pests. See a doctor.
“Foggers will clear spiders.”	No. Spiders hide in cracks/boxes; foggers miss them. Use clutter control, sealing, traps first.
“Sticky traps attract spiders.”	No. They catch spiders that wander; they don’t attract them.
“All brown spiders are dangerous.”	No. Most are harmless. Eye pattern and plain legs/abdomen matter for ID.
“Pesticides are the first step.”	No. Non-chemical steps come first. If using any product, follow the label and local rules.

If it fails any ID item, treat it as not a recluse and move on to simple prevention. Call a licensed professional only after true confirmation.

FAQ — Quick Answers

Q1. Are brown recluses common in California?
No. There are no established populations in California.

Q2. How do I tell a real recluse fast?
Look for 6 eyes in 3 pairs, plain abdomen, no leg spines, plain legs, small body (≤3/8″). All five must be true.

Q3. I see a “violin” mark. Is that proof?
No. The violin mark is not reliable. Use the eye pattern and the plain legs/abdomen rules.

Q4. I have multiple skin sores. Is that spiders?
Usually not. Many cases are infections (e.g., MRSA) or other pests. See a doctor.

Q5. Do I need pesticides right away?
No. Start with clutter control, sealing, smart storage, sticky traps. If you later use a product, follow the label and local rules or call a licensed professional.

Glossary

• Recluse (Loxosceles): a small, shy spider group.
• Dyads: 6 eyes in 3 pairs (recluse pattern).
• Synanthropic: lives near people and buildings.
• RICE: Rest, Cold, Compression, Elevation (simple first aid).
• Look-alike: a spider that looks similar but is not a recluse.
• Sticky trap: a glue board that catches wandering spiders and insects.