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What states have brown recluse spiders?

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. The short answer
  2. Map
  3. State by state
  4. Species guides
  5. How this is answered
  6. Sources

The short answer

Official sources confirm brown recluse spiders in 25 states, rare in 9 of them.

Official sources say they do not live in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, or have no established population there. For Rhode Island, official sources differ. For Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota and South Carolina we found no official statement either way. That does not mean they are absent.

Map

Texas: Brown recluse spiders here? YesCalifornia: Brown recluse spiders here? NoKentucky: Brown recluse spiders here? YesGeorgia: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyWisconsin: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedOregon: Brown recluse spiders here? NoMissouri: Brown recluse spiders here? YesVirginia: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyTennessee: Brown recluse spiders here? YesLouisiana: Brown recluse spiders here? YesNew York: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundIdaho: Brown recluse spiders here? NoFlorida: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedIllinois: Brown recluse spiders here? YesMontana: Brown recluse spiders here? NoMinnesota: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyMaryland: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedIowa: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyOhio: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyNebraska: Brown recluse spiders here? YesWashington: Brown recluse spiders here? NoSouth Dakota: Brown recluse spiders here? Not reportedArkansas: Brown recluse spiders here? YesMississippi: Brown recluse spiders here? YesColorado: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyNorth Carolina: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyUtah: Brown recluse spiders here? NoOklahoma: Brown recluse spiders here? YesWyoming: Brown recluse spiders here? YesWest Virginia: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedIndiana: Brown recluse spiders here? YesMassachusetts: Brown recluse spiders here? NoNevada: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundNorth Dakota: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundPennsylvania: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelySouth Carolina: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundMaine: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedHawaii: Brown recluse spiders here? NoRhode Island: Brown recluse spiders here? Sources differConnecticut: Brown recluse spiders here? Not establishedMichigan: Brown recluse spiders here? RarelyAlaska: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundDelaware: Brown recluse spiders here? YesNew Mexico: Brown recluse spiders here? YesAlabama: Brown recluse spiders here? YesKansas: Brown recluse spiders here? YesVermont: Brown recluse spiders here? NoNew Jersey: Brown recluse spiders here? No official statement foundNew Hampshire: Brown recluse spiders here? NoArizona: Brown recluse spiders here? No
Each state is colored by what its official sources say. Gray means no official statement in our sources, not absence.
  • Yes, per official sources
  • Yes, but rare
  • Sources differ
  • No, per official sources
  • No official statement found

State by state

StateBrown recluse spiders here?What the official sources saySource
Alabama Yes Collected throughout the state, more common in the northern half. “The brown recluse spider has been collected throughout Alabama but is more commonly found in the state’s northern half.” Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Arkansas Yes Arkansas is at the center of the species’ natural distribution, and it is common in urban and rural settings. “Arkansas is at the center of the species’ natural distribution” University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum
Delaware Yes Brown Recluse on the official list. The Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Illinois Yes IDNR: the brown recluse may be found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois, often inside houses. “The brown recluse may be found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois.” IDNR
Indiana Yes Indiana DNR: brown recluse are often found in barns, sheds or other dry places; venomous but not aggressive. “Brown recluse are often found in barns, sheds or other dry places.” Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Kansas Yes GPNC: Brown Recluse range "Statewide"; K-State calls it the most feared spider in Kansas. “Of all the spiders in Kansas, the brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, is the most publicized and the most feared.” K-State Research and Extension
Kentucky Yes Brown Recluse on the official list. University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
Louisiana Yes LSU AgCenter: common in the northern half of the state, exceedingly uncommon in southern Louisiana. “In Louisiana, brown recluses are common in the northern half of the state approximately north of a line drawn through Alexandria.” LSU AgCenter
Mississippi Yes Statewide, mostly indoors. “The brown recluse is found statewide in Mississippi and is typically thought of as an ‘indoor’ spider, but populations do exist in outdoor situations.” Mississippi State University Extension Service
Missouri Yes Brown Recluse on the official list. MDC
Nebraska Yes Nebraska Extension gives the range as Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas, primarily inside heated buildings. “…distributed regionally from Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas” Nebraska Extension
New Mexico Yes Brown Recluse Spider on the official list. New Mexico Department of Wildlife
Oklahoma Yes Brown Recluse on the official list. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Tennessee Yes The brown recluse spider is found in every county in Tennessee with the possible exception of a few extreme eastern counties. “The brown recluse spider is found in every county in Tennessee with the possible exception of a few extreme eastern counties.” University of Tennessee Extension
Texas Yes Brown recluse spider on the official list. Texas Department of State Health Services
Wyoming Yes Brown recluse on the official list. University of Wyoming Extension
Colorado Rarely CSU Extension says brown recluse and all other recluse spiders are extremely rare in Colorado; sightings often come from spiders carried in from other states. “The brown recluse, and all other recluse spiders, are extremely rare in Colorado.” Colorado State University Extension
Georgia Rarely UGA Extension calls the brown recluse extremely rare in Georgia; a UGA study documented it in 31 of 159 counties, almost all in the north, almost exclusively north of the Fall Line. “The brown recluse is not a common Georgia spider and has limited distribution in the state.” Journal of Medical Entomology; hosted by UGA Department of Entomology
Iowa Rarely Iowa DNR: the brown recluse range reaches southern Iowa but they are rarely seen. ISU: rare and absent from northern Iowa. “Yes, the brown recluse spider’s range goes as far north as southern Iowa, but as its name implies, brown recluses are rarely seen.” Iowa DNR
Michigan Rarely MSU Extension has confirmed a few isolated populations north of the native range (Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties, 2011-2017). “In 2011, I reported the discovery of three isolated populations of brown recluse spiders in Michigan ’s Genesee, Hillsdale and Ingham counties.” Michigan State University Extension
Minnesota Rarely UMN Extension says neither black widows nor brown recluses are native to the upper Midwest and they are rarely encountered. The 1979 UMN fact sheet said the brown recluse had not been found in Minnesota. “Neither black widow spiders or brown recluse are native to the upper Midwest and are rarely encountered.” University of Minnesota Extension
North Carolina Rarely They can be found in NC but are not very common; several spiders closely resemble them. “Although brown recluse spiders can be found in North Carolina, they are simply not very common.” NC State Extension
Ohio Rarely ODNR: very rare. Only nine specimens from three localities out of more than 24,400 Ohio Spider Survey records, no verified outdoor records, and the few records come from inside buildings. Most spiders sent in as brown recluses are misidentified harmless spiders. “Brown recluse is represented by only nine specimens from three localities out of over 24,400 records in the Ohio Spider Survey database.” Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Pennsylvania Rarely Penn State says Pennsylvania is outside the brown recluse native range. Any found are inside buildings, brought in by people, and extremely rare. “Outside their native range (which includes Pennsylvania), brown recluse are restricted to buildings and are almost exclusively brought in by humans (such as when someone moves from an area where brown recluse are native). They are therefore extremely rare and localized.” Penn State Extension
Virginia Rarely Natural range reaches only the very tip of southwestern Virginia; isolated (introduced) populations have been confirmed in several locations. “Its natural range reaches to the very tip of southwestern Virginia, but isolated populations have been confirmed in several locations across Virginia.” Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech
Rhode Island Sources differ The MA & RI Poison Center includes Rhode Island in its range and says encounters are rare; the Connecticut Poison Control Center says it is not native to any New England state. “The brown recluse is not native to any of the New England States.” Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health
Arizona No Arizona has the Arizona brown spider (Arizona recluse, Loxosceles arizonica); brown recluses found in Arizona arrived in luggage or belongings. “Arizona brown spiders are often mistaken for the brown recluse spider, which is not a normal resident of Arizona. The only brown recluse spiders found here are the ones who have been brought into the state in luggage or other belongings of people who recently come from regions where it does occur.” University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Pinal County
California No UC IPM: no brown recluse populations in California; native desert recluse and a limited Chilean recluse population do occur. “Contrary to popular belief, there are no populations of the brown recluse spider in California.” University of California Statewide IPM Program
Connecticut Not established The Connecticut Poison Control Center says the brown recluse is not native to any New England state; occasional spiders arrive as "passengers" in boxes, crates or cars. “The brown recluse is not native to any of the New England States.” Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health
Florida Not established UF/IFAS: no scientific evidence that any recluse spider is established in Florida; there have been occasional interceptions. “There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that any recluse spider is established in Florida” UF/IFAS Extension
Hawaii No Hawaii DOH: the brown recluse has not been documented as an established inhabitant of the Hawaiian Islands. “The Brown recluse spider, a dangerous spider commonly found on the mainland, has not been documented as an established inhabitant of the Hawaiian Islands.” Hawaii State Department of Health, Disease Outbreak Control Division
Idaho No UI Extension: the brown recluse is not native to Idaho and there are no verified cases from Idaho; one found would likely have been carried in from its native range. “No verified cases of brown recluse spiders are known from Idaho.” University of Idaho Extension
Maine Not established UMaine Extension says an encounter is only possible if a spider is brought in from out of state. “Non-native, and thus extremely rare in Maine–an encounter is only possible if a specimen is brought in from out-of-state” University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Maryland Not established DNR says they are not native but on very rare occasions stow away on packages. “Brown recluse spiders are not native to Maryland, but on very rare instances they can stow away on packages from the Midwest and the Southwest where the Brown recluses are more common.” DNR
Massachusetts No Cape Cod Cooperative Extension: brown recluse distribution is confined to Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and the south; reported sightings turn out to be wolf spiders. “Their distribution is confined to Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and the south. In every case these sightings turn out to be wolf spiders.” Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Barnstable County
Montana No MSU says the species is not native and none has been positively identified in Montana. “To date, no brown recluse spiders have been positively identified by trained arachnologists or entomologists in Montana.” Montana State University Extension
New Hampshire No The poison center says brown recluses do not live in Northern New England, though one could be carried in. “Brown recluse spiders do not live in Northern New England and it is unusual to find one here.” Northern New England Poison Center
Oregon No OSU Extension experts say no recluse spiders (Loxosceles) live in Oregon; the Oregon Poison Center says brown recluses are not present on the U.S. Pacific Coast. “Fortunately for us, there are no brown recluse or other recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) in Oregon.” Ask Extension (eXtension) answered by Oregon State University Extension
South Dakota Not reported “…the brown recluse spider has not been reported in South Dakota.” Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota State University
Utah No USU Extension says brown recluse spiders do not occur in Utah; cellar spiders and crevice-weaving spiders are often mistaken for them. “Brown recluse spiders do not occur in Utah.” Utah State University Extension
Vermont No The Northern New England Poison Center says brown recluses do not live in the region and are not known for traveling. “The brown recluse is a well-known poisonous spider, but they do not live here and are not known for traveling.” Northern New England Poison Center
Washington No DOH says brown recluse spiders do not live in Washington. “Fortunately, brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) do not live in Washington.” Washington State Department of Health
West Virginia Not established The WV Poison Center says they have never been native; WVDA (undated) says none has been found, though the species occurs in Ohio and Kentucky. “Brown recluse spiders are not native to WV. While a small tip of the western edge of WV is near areas brown recluse spiders are native, they have never been native to WV.” West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University
Wisconsin Not established Wisconsin is outside the brown recluse's native range (UW Insect Diagnostic Lab). UW-Extension calls the brown recluse very rare in the upper Midwest. CDC/NIOSH lists it as venomous. “While we’re outside the native range of the dreaded, but horribly misunderstood brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa), Wisconsin is actually home to a native black widow species—the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus).” UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab (Division of Extension / Department of Entomology), P.J. Liesch
Alaska No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —
Nevada No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —
New Jersey No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —
New York No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —
North Dakota No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —
South Carolina No official statement found No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent. —

Species guides

How this is answered

Each state's answer comes from that state's own official sources: its wildlife agency, Extension service or another public body. We use, in order, the state's sourced answer to this question, then the animal's place on the state's official species list, then an official source quoted in our species guide. Where none of these settles it, the state is shown as "No official statement found". We never mark a state as having none without an official statement. Sightings and photo records are not used here. How questions are answered.

Sources

  1. The Brown Recluse Spider: Facts & Control. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. published 2022-06-16; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse spider has been collected throughout Alabama but is more commonly found in the state’s northern half.”
  2. Garden & Landscape Newsletter July 2020 - Venomous Spiders in Arizona. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Pinal County. 2020-07; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Arizona brown spiders are often mistaken for the brown recluse spider, which is not a normal resident of Arizona. The only brown recluse spiders found here are the ones who have been brought into the state in luggage or other belongings of people who recently come from regions where it does occur.”
  3. Brown recluse and Mediterranean recluse spiders (Arkansas Arthropods). University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology). WordPress modified 2017-07-05; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Arkansas is at the center of the species’ natural distribution”
  4. Pest Notes: Brown Recluse and Other Recluse Spiders (UC ANR Publication 7468). University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR, Cooperative Extension). 2018-11; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Contrary to popular belief, there are no populations of the brown recluse spider in California.”
  5. Brown Recluse Spiders in Colorado: Recognition and Spiders of Similar Appearance. Colorado State University Extension. Published February 2008; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse, and all other recluse spiders, are extremely rare in Colorado.”
  6. Arachnophobia: Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders. Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health. page modified 2022-12-09; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse is not native to any of the New England States.”
  7. Spider Bites. The Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (serves Delaware). no date on page; checked November 3, 2026.
  8. ENY2080 An Introduction to Some Common and Charismatic Florida Spiders (Powell & Taylor). UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS). Original publication date February 2023; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that any recluse spider is established in Florida”
  9. Distribution of the Brown Recluse Spider (Araneae: Sicariidae) in Georgia with Comparison to Poison Center Reports of Envenomations (Vetter, Hinkle & Ames, J. Med. Entomol. 46(1):15-20). Journal of Medical Entomology; hosted by UGA Department of Entomology. 2009; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse is not a common Georgia spider and has limited distribution in the state.”
  10. Spider Bites. Hawaii State Department of Health, Disease Outbreak Control Division. page date July 21, 2022; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The Brown recluse spider, a dangerous spider commonly found on the mainland, has not been documented as an established inhabitant of the Hawaiian Islands.”
  11. Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton. University of Idaho Extension. September 1, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “No verified cases of brown recluse spiders are known from Idaho.”
  12. Brown Recluse (Wild About Illinois Spiders: Family Sicariidae). Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse may be found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois.”
  13. Spiders in Indiana. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology. dateModified 2026-03-09; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse are often found in barns, sheds or other dry places.”
  14. 6 Cool Things You Should Know About Spiders (news release). Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). October 30, 2014; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Yes, the brown recluse spider’s range goes as far north as southern Iowa, but as its name implies, brown recluses are rarely seen.”
  15. Brown Recluse Spiders (Kansas Structural Pests), MF3133. K-State Research and Extension (Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service). April 2014; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Of all the spiders in Kansas, the brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, is the most publicized and the most feared.”
  16. Brown Recluse Spider (Entfact 631). University of Kentucky Department of Entomology (Cooperative Extension). Revised: 3/26; checked November 3, 2026.
  17. Loxosceles spp., Brown Recluse and Mediterranean Recluse Spiders (Araneae: Sicariidae). LSU AgCenter (Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service). April 1, 2019; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In Louisiana, brown recluses are common in the northern half of the state approximately north of a line drawn through Alexandria.”
  18. Spiders (Home and Garden IPM fact sheet). University of Maine Cooperative Extension. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Non-native, and thus extremely rare in Maine–an encounter is only possible if a specimen is brought in from out-of-state”
  19. Common Spiders of Maryland - Maryland's Wild Acres. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured March 8, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse spiders are not native to Maryland, but on very rare instances they can stow away on packages from the Midwest and the Southwest where the Brown recluses are more common.”
  20. It’s Spider Season on Cape Cod (a note from Larry Dapsis, Extension’s County Entomologist). Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Barnstable County. archived copy, captured October 29, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Their distribution is confined to Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and the south. In every case these sightings turn out to be wolf spiders.”
  21. Update on brown recluse spiders in Michigan (MSU Extension). Michigan State University Extension. archived copy, captured December 9, 2024; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In 2011, I reported the discovery of three isolated populations of brown recluse spiders in Michigan ’s Genesee, Hillsdale and Ingham counties.”
  22. Spiders. University of Minnesota Extension (Jeffrey Hahn et al.). archived copy, captured August 14, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Neither black widow spiders or brown recluse are native to the upper Midwest and are rarely encountered.”
  23. Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders (Publication 2154). Mississippi State University Extension Service. Publication 2154; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse is found statewide in Mississippi and is typically thought of as an ‘indoor’ spider, but populations do exist in outdoor situations.”
  24. A Guide to Missouri's Common Spiders (MDC publication E00455). Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Copyright 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  25. Urban Spiders of Montana. Montana State University Extension. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “To date, no brown recluse spiders have been positively identified by trained arachnologists or entomologists in Montana.”
  26. Identification Guide to Common Spiders in Nebraska (EC1590). Nebraska Extension. Published 2016; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…distributed regionally from Georgia west to Nebraska and south through Texas”
  27. Brown Recluse: Poisons A to Z. Northern New England Poison Center. updated March 4, 2016; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse spiders do not live in Northern New England and it is unusual to find one here.”
  28. BISON-M (Biota Information System of New Mexico) species search export: taxonomic name "Araneae". New Mexico Department of Wildlife (BISON-M, with Natural Heritage New Mexico). database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  29. Spiders in and Around Homes. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Jan. 1, 2008; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Although brown recluse spiders can be found in North Carolina, they are simply not very common.”
  30. Common Spiders of Ohio Field Guide (Publication 5140). Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife (text by Richard A. Bradley, Ph.D.). PUBLICATION 5140; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse is represented by only nine specimens from three localities out of over 24,400 records in the Ohio Spider Survey database.”
  31. Brown Recluse (ODWC Field Guide). Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  32. Brown recluse?? #868568 (Ask Extension, Multnomah County Oregon; expert response by Bill Gerth). Ask Extension (eXtension) answered by Oregon State University Extension. asked May 15, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Fortunately for us, there are no brown recluse or other recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) in Oregon.”
  33. Brown Recluse Spiders. Penn State Extension. updated September 8, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Outside their native range (which includes Pennsylvania), brown recluse are restricted to buildings and are almost exclusively brought in by humans (such as when someone moves from an area where brown recluse are native). They are therefore extremely rare and localized.”
  34. Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders. Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health. Page modified 2022-12-09; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse is not native to any of the New England States.”
  35. Venomous Spiders in South Dakota (FS 421). Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota State University (Berndt and Kantack). archived copy, captured July 9, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…the brown recluse spider has not been reported in South Dakota.”
  36. PB1191 The Brown Recluse Spider. University of Tennessee Extension (UT Institute of Agriculture). PB1191-500-7/02 [July 2002 reprint]; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse spider is found in every county in Tennessee with the possible exception of a few extreme eastern counties.”
  37. Spiders (Venom: Animal Bites, Venomous Bites). Texas Department of State Health Services. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  38. Spiders (USU Extension / Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory fact sheet ENT-163-12PR). Utah State University Extension. January 2013; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse spiders do not occur in Utah.”
  39. Is that snake or spider poisonous? Northern New England Poison Center. blog post dated July 10, 2013; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The brown recluse is a well-known poisonous spider, but they do not live here and are not known for traveling.”
  40. Spiders of Medical Concern in Virginia (ENTO-73NP / ENTO-346NP). Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (T.A. Dellinger, E. Day). Publication Date August 1, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Its natural range reaches to the very tip of southwestern Virginia, but isolated populations have been confirmed in several locations across Virginia.”
  41. Spiders. Washington State Department of Health. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Fortunately, brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) do not live in Washington.”
  42. Bites & Stings. West Virginia Poison Center, West Virginia University. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Brown recluse spiders are not native to WV. While a small tip of the western edge of WV is near areas brown recluse spiders are native, they have never been native to WV.”
  43. Black Widows: The Hermits of Door County. UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab (Division of Extension / Department of Entomology), P.J. Liesch. May 22, 2018; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “While we’re outside the native range of the dreaded, but horribly misunderstood brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa), Wisconsin is actually home to a native black widow species—the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus).”
  44. Black widow and brown recluse spiders: One very common, the other very rare in Wyoming (Scott Schell, UW Extension entomologist). University of Wyoming Extension (Barnyards & Backyards). Fall 2020; checked November 3, 2026.