And while the vast majority of the insects, reptiles, and other small creatures you encounter during the summer are relatively innocuous, there’s one notable exception to this rule: the brown recluse spider. The venomous arachnids, whose bites can cause tissue necrosis—and, in extremely rare cases, can be fatal, particularly among children—have been particularly active in two states this summer due to high heat conditions. The spiders are now a common sight in both Illinois and Missouri, Jay Everitt of Rottler Pest Solutions explained to KMOV.com. “They like these quiet spots of our homes. The closets, the basements, the attic areas,” Everitt explained. However, when temperatures exceed a certain point and attic temperatures get too hot, “[The spiders] start seeking cooler environment and a lot of time that’s the living space.” However, Illinois and Missouri are far from the only states where you can find this venomous arachnid. According to research published in the Journal of Medical Entomology (JME), the spider is readily found throughout the U.S.* Read on to discover if this venomous spider calls your state home. *Delaware was not represented in the study data. RELATED: If You See This Bug, Crush It Immediately, USDA Says. Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 For the latest health and safety news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter! Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 1 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 2 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 2 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 2 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 3 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 3 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 4 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 5 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 6 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 8 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 10 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 12 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 12 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 14 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 16 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 17 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 18 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 26 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 30 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 32 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 40 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 41 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 120 Percent brown recluses: 0 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 32 Percent brown recluses: 3.1 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 581 Percent brown recluses: 3.3 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 19 Percent brown recluses: 5.3 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 19 Percent brown recluses: 10.5 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 24 Percent brown recluses: 12.5 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 15 Percent brown recluses: 13.3 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 32 Percent brown recluses: 18.2 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 13 Percent brown recluses: 23.1 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 33 Percent brown recluses: 24.2 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 7ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Percent brown recluses: 28.6 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 31 Percent brown recluses: 29 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 91 Percent brown recluses: 29.7 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 25 Percent brown recluses: 32 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 27 Percent brown recluses: 37 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 29 Percent brown recluses: 55.2 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 142 Percent brown recluses: 59.9 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 35 Percent brown recluses: 62.9 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 15 Percent brown recluses: 66.7 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 43 Percent brown recluses: 74.4 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 56 Percent brown recluses: 76.8 Number of spiders submitted to the JME study: 142 Percent brown recluses: 89.2 RELATED: If You See This Bug, Never Touch It Without Gloves & a Mask, Experts Warn.
