Brown recluse?? - Ask Extension
Hello, I live in Portland and have found two of these spiders in my home in the last week. I’m trying to identify what type of spider it is and coul...
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Brown recluse?? #868568
Asked May 15, 2024, 2:23 PM EDT
Hello, I live in Portland and have found two of these spiders in my home in the last week. I’m trying to identify what type of spider it is and could use some help. I have a 3 month old so I’m extra worried it might possibly be a brown recluse. It’s definitely lighter in color than the photo - kind of gray ish. I caught it in a jar and can take additional photos if needed. Thanks in advance!!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Emma,
Fortunately for us, there are no brown recluse or other recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) in Oregon. Here is a link to a map from the University of California Riverside that shows the distributions of the recluse spider species...https://spiders.ucr.edu/spiders-map
I can't see enough detail in your photo to ID your spider with absolute certainty, but I think it is most likely a giant house spider (Eratigena duellica), which is of of the most common large spiders people find in their houses in the PNW.
Here is a link to an article about giant house spiders if you are interested...
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/aug/17/bugging-the-northwest-giant-but-harmless-house-spi/
Best wishes!
Fortunately for us, there are no brown recluse or other recluse spiders (Loxosceles species) in Oregon. Here is a link to a map from the University of California Riverside that shows the distributions of the recluse spider species...https://spiders.ucr.edu/spiders-map
I can't see enough detail in your photo to ID your spider with absolute certainty, but I think it is most likely a giant house spider (Eratigena duellica), which is of of the most common large spiders people find in their houses in the PNW.
Here is a link to an article about giant house spiders if you are interested...
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/aug/17/bugging-the-northwest-giant-but-harmless-house-spi/
Best wishes!
