Brown Recluse Spiders Have Made Their Way To Michigan, And They May Not Leave

Here in Michigan we have our share of creepy crawlies, but we've never had to worry much about venomous spiders - until now.

The Brown Recluse spider has made it's way into Michigan, and the Detroit Free Press reports that it may be here to stay.

Has there been some sort of Brown Recluse outbreak in The Mitten? Not really. Or, at least, not yet. There have been six confirmed brown recluse discoveries in the state since 2011.

You may be asking yourself, "Is the spider I just saw in my house a brown recluse?!?" Well, here are some ways to figure that out from EMedicineHealth.com:

• Brown recluse spiders are generally easily identified by a "violin pattern" on their back. You'll see the base of the violin by the spider's head, and the neck of the violin will be pointing toward the rear of the spider.
• Brown recluses aren't entirely brown. They range from yellowish-tan to dark brown, with darker legs.
• The spiders (with legs) are generally about the size of a quarter.

You can get a close-up look at the spider in this video from the Detroit Free Press.

The good(?) news is that most people who are bitten by a Brown Recluse will react to the bite in the same manner they would react to any other spider's bite, says the Free Press.

However, there are people who have more severe reactions that result in hospitalization, and sometimes death.

If you believe you have discovered a Brown Recluse in your home, you can send photos and location information to Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell at bugman@msu.edu.