Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider is one of the most recognizable spiders in the Midwest, including Nebraska, and is a common concern for homeowners searching for reliable pest control services in Omaha, Lincoln, and the nearby areas. With 13 known varieties, this species ranges from pale to dark brown and features long, thin legs and a body size of 6 to 20 millimeters. One of the easiest ways to identify them is the violin-shaped marking on the top of the abdomen, which is why they are often called the fiddleback spider or brown fiddler.

A key fact many homeowners search for is the brown recluse spider lifespan, which averages up to 2 years. Understanding the brown recluse spider lifespan helps explain how quickly a hidden infestation can grow, especially when these spiders remain undisturbed. Female brown recluses can produce egg sacs containing around 50 eggs, allowing populations to multiply rapidly without immediate detection.

Habitat

In their natural habitat, brown recluse spiders spin irregular webs that are commonly found in brush and trees. However, when in residential areas and other establishments, they prefer areas that are seldom disturbed. They are also known to hide in objects that are seldom used and in some instances in shoe racks, dressers, and other stocked objects. True to their name, they prefer to hide.

Diet

Their main diet consists of insects like cockroaches, crickets, flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and other smaller spiders that are trapped in their webs. In fact, they prefer hunting at night. They also feed on dead insects.

Threats to Humans

Due to the destruction of their natural habitats, there are many reports of household infestation by brown recluse spiders in Nebraska. One might not know that his house is infested because of the reclusive behavior of these spiders. Usually, an infestation is only discovered when one or more of these spiders are found. This behavior is a contributing factor to why they can easily propagate without your knowledge.

The primary threat of brown fiddlers to Nebraska residents is their venomous bites. They secrete venoms through their fangs as a means of protecting themselves. It may require some three to eight hours for an individual to notice that he is actually bitten; usually not until redness, swelling, itching, and inflammation starts to manifest in the affected area. In severe cases, it can cause fever and nausea. Necrotic lesions can also appear.

Learn more about spiders in Nebraska.

Professional Help for Brown Recluse Spiders

If you suspect brown recluse activity in your home, contacting a trusted local provider is always the safest option. DIY treatments rarely work on these spiders because they hide in tight, inaccessible spaces and their egg sacs can easily go unnoticed. Understanding the brown recluse spider lifespan also matters here, since they can live up to 2 years and produce multiple egg sacs, even a small hidden population can grow quickly without proper intervention.

A professional inspection will identify entry points, hiding areas, and signs of activity that most homeowners can’t spot on their own. For anyone looking for reliable pest control services, partnering with an experienced company helps eliminate brown recluse risks with targeted, safe, and long-lasting treatments.

Why Expert Treatment Matters

Brown recluse spiders require a more strategic approach than typical household pests. Here’s why professional help makes a difference:

  • Precise identification: Many spiders look similar to brown recluses, leading to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.
  • Proper product application: Licensed technicians use methods designed specifically for reclusive, nocturnal spiders.
  • Long-term prevention: Experts seal entry points, improve exclusion, and create a protective barrier to stop future activity.
  • Family and pet safety: Professional-grade treatments are applied correctly to avoid risks associated with DIY chemicals.

A qualified pest control team helps restore safety and peace of mind while preventing the spiders from returning.

Get Expert Brown Recluse Protection in Omaha & Lincoln

Brown recluse activity is something you shouldn’t leave to guesswork. When you want safe, proven treatment from a team that understands how these spiders behave and how the brown recluse spider lifespan allows them to multiply, ABC Termite & Pest Control delivers results you can count on.

Our Omaha and Lincoln exterminators use targeted, professional methods designed for spiders, ants, termites, mice, and other household pests. For dependable pest control services, we’re the local team equipped to protect your home and keep dangerous pests out.

Contact us today to schedule your inspection and get customized pest protection for your home.