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Spider identification and safety guide
Brown Recluse Spiders in Georgia: Rare, but Often Misidentified
UGA's bulletin calls the brown recluse rare in Georgia: it is known in the northwest part of the state and uncommon even there. A UGA study reported in 2009 found it in only 31 Georgia counties, and its bites are very rare. Many spiders and skin problems get blamed on it, so check the eyes and markings before you act.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
Identification
How to recognize a brown recluse, and what it is often confused with
- Size: small, usually between 1/4 and 3/4 inch long (MedlinePlus).
- Color and mark: brown legs and a dark brown, violin-shaped mark on the head and upper body (MedlinePlus). UGA says the violin sits on the cephalothorax, the front body section.
- Eyes: three pairs, six eyes in all, instead of the usual eight (MedlinePlus and UGA). This is the clue that settles most doubts, and you need a clear photo to see it.
The violin mark alone is not enough. UGA says male southern house spiders are commonly misidentified as brown recluses because of their color, general shape and appearance.
| Clue | Brown recluse | Male southern house spider |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Three pairs, six eyes in all | One group of eight eyes |
| Marking | A distinct violin shape | A brownish marking shaped like the Eiffel tower; the violin is much less distinct |
| Size | Smaller | A little larger |
| Habits | Prefers dark, sheltered spots such as under porches and in woodpiles (MedlinePlus) | Lives indoors in cracks and crevices and makes unkept, messy webs at the entrance to its retreat |
| Risk | Venom can harm; bites are very rare in Georgia | Harmless and beneficial, UGA says |
How common is it in Georgia?
UGA's Bulletin 1412 says the brown recluse is rare in Georgia, and that although it is known in the northwest part of the state, it is uncommon even there. A University of Georgia study reported in 2009 found people had located the spider in only 31 Georgia counties, most of them in the northwest.
Rare in Georgia
UGA's 2023 bulletin calls it rare in the state and uncommon even in the northwest.
Bites are very rare
The 2009 UGA report says brown recluse bites are very rare in Georgia, with only one confirmed account, while 963 suspected bite reports were filed with poison centers over five years.
Over-diagnosis is common
The same report says over-diagnosis is a problem nationwide, and that a mark that looks like a spider bite could be something more serious.
The county study is more than a decade old, so it may not describe today's populations exactly. Treat it as evidence that the spider is uncommon, not as a map.
If someone may have been bitten
This is general information, not medical advice. Anyone with a suspected bite should talk to a medical professional. The two sources below frame it differently, so both are given.
What UGA reports (2009)
Almost all brown recluse bites heal without medical intervention, and only about 1 percent require medical attention. Because other skin problems are often blamed on spiders, a doctor can check for something else.
What MedlinePlus advises (2025)
Pain usually develops within the first several hours after a bite and may become severe. It advises seeking emergency medical treatment right away, because a bite that looks minor can take time to become severe.
Steps MedlinePlus describes
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Wrap ice in a cloth and place it on the bite for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Use shorter intervals if the person has blood flow problems.
- Keep the affected area still, if possible, and remove tight clothing and jewelry.
- Seek emergency medical treatment or contact poison control. If you can, bring the spider in a secure container so it can be identified.
Lowering the odds, and when to call
UGA's general advice for household pests applies here: reduce clutter, which provides harborage, and seal cracks and entryways. If you find a spider you think is a brown recluse, photograph it from a safe distance or catch it in a jar so the eyes and markings can be checked before you decide what to do.
Call a pest professional if you find spiders that match the clues above, if sightings keep recurring, or if you cannot tell which spider you have. Pest Control Atlanta can inspect, identify what is there and treat problem areas. See our Spider Exterminator in Atlanta page, or compare the spiders Georgia homeowners ask about in What Spider Is This? Spiders Georgia Homeowners Ask About.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do brown recluses live in Atlanta?
UGA says the brown recluse is known in the northwest part of the state and uncommon even there. The UGA sources reviewed do not map individual cities. Because southern house spiders are commonly misidentified as recluses, check the eyes and markings before assuming a recluse.
How can I tell a brown recluse from other brown spiders?
Look at the eyes. A brown recluse has three pairs of eyes (six in all) and a distinct violin-shaped mark on its head and upper body. A male southern house spider has one group of eight eyes and a much less distinct marking.
Are brown recluse bites common in Georgia?
No. A 2009 UGA report says brown recluse spider bites are very rare in Georgia, with only one confirmed account, and that over-diagnosis is a problem nationwide.
What should I do if I think I was bitten?
Wash the area with soap and water, wrap ice in a cloth and apply it 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, keep the area still, and seek medical care. MedlinePlus advises emergency treatment, and says to bring the spider in a secure container if you can.
Should I try to catch the spider?
Only if you can do it safely. MedlinePlus says to bring the spider in a secure container if possible so it can be identified, and a clear photo of the eyes and markings also helps.
Is every brown spider with a dark mark a recluse?
No. UGA says male southern house spiders are commonly misidentified as brown recluses because of their color, general shape and appearance. The number of eyes is the dependable difference.
Where this information comes from
Sources
Facts about identification, biology and safety come from the sources below, retrieved on October 7, 2026. Publication or review dates are given where the source shows one.
- Insect and Arthropod Pests of Southeastern Neighborhoods: A Guide to Identification and Management (Bulletin 1412), UGA Extension — revised June 2023 per the PDF; the UGA page lists October 20, 2023
- Brown recluse spider isn't typically a Southerner, UGA CAES Field Report — by Sharon Dowdy and April Reese Sorrow, February 19, 2009 (older article; county counts and bite figures date from that study)
- Brown recluse spider, MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — review date July 1, 2025
More identification guides
Browse the full Atlanta Pest Library, or read another identification guide:
Think you have found a brown recluse?
Call Pest Control Atlanta to talk through what you found. If someone has been bitten, get medical help first.
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