Is It a Brown Recluse? How to Tell in Kansas City

Brown recluse spiders are tan to medium brown — not black. The key identifier is the violin-shaped marking on the top of the front body segment, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. Their body is about 6 to 12 mm (¼ to ½ inch) long — roughly the size of a quarter including legs.

Most spiders have eight eyes. Brown recluse spiders have six eyes arranged in three pairs — but you need a very close look to see this. If you can see the violin shape, that's enough to identify it. Do not get close enough to count the eyes.

Brown recluse spiders prefer undisturbed, dry, dark areas. Common hiding spots include basement corners and storage boxes, crawl spaces, closets — especially seldom-opened ones — attic insulation, and garages and outbuildings.

They also turn up inside shoes, folded clothing, and bedding that sits unused, and behind baseboards and inside wall voids.

Brown recluse spiders are not solitary visitors — if you find one, there are almost certainly others in the same structure. Kansas City homes with active infestations have been found to harbor dozens or even hundreds of recluse spiders in basements and crawl spaces. A single sighting warrants a professional inspection.

Not sure what you found? Text us a photo of the spider and we will tell you what it is.