While taking a casual tour of the garden, it's common to see spiders rushing through plants and hiding behind leaves. It’s difficult to identify the type of spider in the garden. You might get confused between two types of spiders: the grass spider and the brown recluse. They may look alike at first glance, but they are actually very different in appearance, behaviour, and the risks they pose. In this article, we will guide you through the various differences between grass spiders and brown recluses. This guide will also help you learn preventive measures to keep a check on their infestation.
Why Does Their Identification Matter?
Confusing grass spiders with a brown recluse can create several problems. Many people get scared when they notice a grass spider because they presume it is a brown recluse. This fear can make families avoid certain parts of their home unnecessarily. Wrong identification can also lead you to the wrong medical treatment. This is because you may presume brown recluse bites as a skin issue, whereas it could be a bacterial infection like MRSA or another. This confusion can lead to improper medical care. Misidentifying spiders can also make homeowners use more pesticides than needed.
Grass Spider vs. Brown Recluse
Appearance
One clear difference in their appearance is their eyes. A brown recluse has three pairs of eyes- one pair in the middle and one pair on each side. A grass spider, on the other hand, has eight eyes, set in three rows. They have two eyes in the top row, four eyes in the middle row, and two in the bottom row.
Their legs also look different. Grass spiders often have bends or stripes on their legs, while brown recluses have no bends.
They are different sizes, too. Brown recluses are small and typically grow to ⅜ of an inch. Grass spiders are larger and can grow up to ¾ of an inch.
Body Markings
Grass spiders and brown recluses look similar in colour, but their body markings are different. Brown recluses have a very distinctive violin-shaped marking on their backs, with the violin's neck pointing toward the rear of the spider. This is their strongest identifying feature.
On the other hand, grass spiders lack this violin mark. Instead, they usually have lighter patterns and stripes on their body and legs. Grass spiders have long backside spinnerets that are noticeable and extend from their rear end.
Habitat
Grass spiders are commonly found outdoors, especially in grassy areas. They make flat sheet-like webs with a funnel-like structure. These webs are commonly found in short grass along garden edges or near windows. The grass spider hides and waits for insects to pass by. Sometimes these spiders wander indoors into basements or crawl spaces.
On the other hand, brown recluses prefer quiet, dry places to hide. They like to hide in less-used areas of the indoor area, such as attics, closets, wall gaps, and storage rooms with cardboard boxes. In the outdoors, they prefer to hide under logs, rocks, and woodpiles.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Grass spiders rest in their funnel-shaped retreats during the day and become active at night for hunting across their webs. They live for about a year, during which females lay egg sacs in late summer that remain protected through winter until hatching in spring.
Brown recluses are also nocturnal and can survive for months without food. Females produce several egg sacs in early summer (May to July), and their young one spreads by crawling.
Medical Significance
Grass spiders are not considered harmful to people. Their fangs are small, and they rarely bite unless they feel trapped. Even when they do bite, the reaction is usually mild, similar to a small insect bite. Some redness or itching may appear, but it doesn't cause any serious problems.
Brown recluses, on the other hand, contain cytotoxic compounds that can be serious in some cases. A study by University of Kentucky entomologists found that approximately 10% of verified brown recluse bites result in necrotic skin lesions. Most bites remain mild, but a few can turn painful over time. Seek medical attention if you develop ulceration or systemic symptoms such as fever or joint pain.
Prevention and Treatment Options
Most spider problems can be controlled with a few easy steps. Just clean their webs regularly from corners, eaves, and window sills. A webster tool also works well in removing webs that are hard to reach.
Keep plants and bushes trimmed. Also, reduce outdoor lighting, as it attracts insects and spiders. Controlling insects will naturally control the number of spiders.
Also, check and seal any small gaps or cracks around windows, doors, and places where pipes are installed in your home.
Conclusion
Though grass spiders and brown recluses look similar, they behave very differently. You can avoid unnecessary stress by knowing the key differences. By identifying them early and maintaining your outdoor space, you can enjoy your garden with fewer concerns.
