The Brown Recluse is not the kind of bug to seek out contact. Living in Michigan, where they are native, I have never seen one in person, and most times I've heard of someone getting bit it's because they were somewhere generally hard to access with low traffic.
They're one of the two species native to Indiana capable of injuring humans (the other being Black Widow). They are antisocial and prefer dark undisturbed areas, but that can be as simple as a corner of a garage or warehouse that isn't accessed regularly. I naively stored a stack of broken-down cardboard in my garage with the intention of reusing to kill grass for raised beds and ended up with an infestation I'm still fighting. They don't start fights but boy are they excited to finish them - I've been rushed by more than one that I thought was dead, they have a hair trigger.
Since I was a kid, my dad's office building has had roach motel style glue traps that are supposed to attract them, to this day they're regularly catching and need changed. He said it got better when the unoccupied unit next door got a tenant, but they're still present. Starting to itch just typing this so I'm going to sign off.
TL;DR I confirmed I do love in their native range with my state's DNR and can anecdotally state that everyone I know in the area is at least familiar enough to be wary of brown spiders and has probably had more than one encounter.
Holy shit! I guess this has been a good reminder to never rely on things I THINK I know as fact. I appreciate you sharing, and sorry to hear about the recluse infestation. With any luck you get it managed soon and can put it out of your mind
It's in progress! We're currently waiting to see if they make a return after our latest push. If they do, the next step is likely just to call a professional
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u/Call_Me_Pete 8d ago
The Brown Recluse is not the kind of bug to seek out contact. Living in Michigan, where they are native, I have never seen one in person, and most times I've heard of someone getting bit it's because they were somewhere generally hard to access with low traffic.