Brown recluse spider bites have several features that help in diagnosis. They are generally painful, worse when located on arms and legs, and will progressively get more painful with time. The bite will lack swelling in the center, possibly even be slightly sunken at the center. The bite will usually be pale in the center from the venom shutting down blood supply to the bite area. Sometimes the pale center is a little blue or purple as well, but other times the pale center is surrounded by blue or purple due to hemorrhage, and sometimes there is a small black dot marking the area of bite. There can be a small blister around the dot. When the center is pale and is surrounded by blue/purple hemorrhage and red outside of that, it is called the "red, white and blue" sign.

There are other things that can mimic all the symtoms of a bite.

A skin infection such as Cellulitis is tender and a severe infection from Streptococcus that can show blue.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is probably the diagnosis most often confused with a bite. It can have an ulcer surrounded by a purple raised ring with a red area on the outside. It tends to be swollen and resemble a boil early and the skin can break down and show a deep ulcer within a few days....which almost never happens with a brown recluse spider bite.

Tetanus is a possibility with any puncture wound. Make sure your tetanus immunization is up to date (not less than every 10 years). Infections from other bacteria can be a problem and a doctor will sometimes prescribe antibiotics to prevent these.

The main health threats from a brown recluse bite are caused by the venom.

The body can attack and split up red blood cells in a process called hemolysis. A sudden onset of fatigue and dark-colored urine are worrisome. In a short time as much as 40% or more of the blood volume around the bite can be lost.

In severe cases, the kidneys can start to shut down.

A loss of clotting cells can happen.

A normal urinalysis and complete blood count a few days after a spider bite can show if any of the above problems are occurring.

Yes, they can and some do. BUT few deaths have been attributed directly to the brown recluse bite, most of which involved small children and elderly patients. Many of these deaths were likely due to a secondary reaction from the bite, and not directly linked to the venom. The most common problems associated with these spider bites are the scares caused when the flesh dies and begins to rot. Many people have reported spending anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 on emergency medical, hospital stays, medications, doctor visits, plastic surgery and lost wages, killing their finances. Many major insurance policies will not provide total benefits for complications stemming from a spider bite.... check your policy.

They do make a web and it has a very distinctive style, unlike any other spider's web. However, the brown recluse spider does not use their web to catch prey, it's for nesting.

This spider is just as happy feeding on already dead insects (up to 6 months old) as they are on live ones. Actually, they prefer dead prey 8 out of 10 times over killing live prey.

You do have silverfish because of the shake shingle roof. Mold spores will form on the bottom edge of the shingle, a food source for the silverfish. The brown recluse spider will take advantage of the silverfish's presence, using them for a food source. But, it isn't the reason they are there. The brown recluse spider has a claw on the end of their leg, and the wood shingle gives them great traction so they can move quickly, like wide tires on dry pavement. Plus their egg sacks will adhere very well to the porous surface that the shingle provides.

Clutter does not increase the number of spiders you find in your home. However, it will give spiders extra places to hide (often allowing them to escape treatment).

Because of the claw on their leg, they will not pick up chemicals as easily as other insects, but they can and do. Because of their instinctive nature and habits, when a chemical is placed in the right location, the spider will pick up enough for a lethal dose. Their body is much like a sponge, it will soak the chemicals up. Just about any, but not all chemicals will kill them.... if they come in contact with it. Placement is the key.