A Brown Recluse is a relatively rare, poisonous spider that lives in the Midwest US. The following collection of links deal specifically with the habits and behaviours of the Brown Recluse. This site collects information on brown recluse spider bites and tracks information about them. There is a searchable database containing information on treatments, bite location, bite severity and regional distribution.

Darwin Vest, the foremost expert on Hobo Spiders, stated that ". . . traps are far and away the most safe and effective measure that can be used for controlling hobo spiders indoors." And, in fact, traps have shown to be the most effective means available to control Hobo Spider populations. In order to kill Hobo spiders with pesticides you usually have to hit the spider directly with large doses.

If you live in San Diego it is highly unlikely that you've been bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider because they do not occur here. Refer to this map (prepared by UC Riverside specialists) that shows where they might occur. For more information on these spiders visit the spider information pages by UC Riverside researchers.

To the left is a picture of a Hobo Spider bite. Brown Recluse bites are the same. About 50% of bites are 'dry,' meaning that no venom is injected, and nothing happens to the victim. Often times the victim does not even realize that he has been bit.

No. Brown tide poses no effect on humans. The main concern is that it can bloom for long periods of time and in dense enough concentrations to harm seagrasses by blocking out the sunlight they need to survive. Click here for more information on Texas seagrasses.

There are 3 major predator spider types that if found in homes seem to reduce the amount of Hobo spiders: the Steatoda spiders, Large jumping spiders, and the other harmless European House spiders. Pets such as cats will feed on Hobo and Brown Recluse spiders after playing with them. The preying mantis will also eat Hobo spiders but due to its day time activity and the Hobo spiders night time activity optimum results are not achieved.

First, it is unlikely that you will find a brown recluse spider in your home since they are not known to occur in Oregon. Brown recluse spiders live in the south central Midwest from Nebraska to Ohio and south through Texas to Georgia. However, you may find a hobo spider, giant house spider, or European house spider in your home. These three spiders are related and they look very similar.

They can be found anywhere in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado,and Southern British Columbia. We feel that it is likely that there are Hobos in Northern California. We have also received spider samples from the many parts of Mid-West and North Eastern USA which appear to be Hobo spiders. The Red areas of the maps show regions with Hobo Spiders.

According to the Spider Myths page published by Roy Crawford at the Burke Museum , the number of hazardous spiders is "the number of spiders that pose even a mild hazard to humans is vanishingly small (perhaps 1/20 of 1% of all species)"

To the left is a picture of a Hobo Spider bite. About 50% of Hobo Spider bites are 'dry,' meaning that no venom is injected, and nothing happens to the victim. Often times the victim does not even realize that he has been bit.

Despite Hollywood's deadly and aggressive image of the tarantula, the truth is that San Diego County's three resident taratula species are actually quite docile. Although both males and females are capable of inflicting a bite when threatened, they rarely do so and their venom is considered non-toxic to humans. Like most other spiders, tarantulas are beneficial predators who feed on many invertebrates including sowbugs, pillbugs, insects, and even other spiders.

No. Almost all spiders produce venom, to help them catch their prey, but most spiders are harmless to humans. Learn more about common spiders of Virginia in Virginia Spiders.

ANSWER: First check out the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management website. Bring in a sample of the insect for possible identification by the UC Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners. Our staff will also attempt to identify, if we cannot, it can be sent to the CDFA lab for identification.

Answer: Spider veins may be triggered by pregnancy or hormonal variations and sometimes result in itching, restless leg and minor aches and pains. Although surface veins are mainly a cosmetic problem, they can also be an indication of more serious vein disease deep below the surface.

One of the primary characteristics used for selecting Mexican wolves for reintroduction is avoidance and fear of humans. Wolves that have the potential to be released must not be socialized or habituated to humans, so they are not likely to be attracted to people or human establishments once released. Mexican wolves selected for reintroduction are managed with minimal exposure to humans in an environment that fosters and maintains natural wolf behaviors.

Epidemiologists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and epidemiologists at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment who have studied CWD found no evidence the disease poses a risk to humans or domestic animals. More than 16 years of monitoring in infected areas in Colorado has found no disease in people or cattle living there. The World Health Organization (WHO) has likewise said there is no scientific evidence CWD can infect humans.

In areas with high cougar populations, limited space, and dwindling game they do present a very slight danger to incautious humans - principally children - but since the midwest has none of the limiting factors listed above the danger of attack from a cougar is basically nonexistent. Cougars will not stalk a standing or walking adult human but if surprised and cornered a cat will attack a perceived threat in self-defense.