WHY OVERLAND PARK?

Area Conditions that Support This Critical Pest

The brown recluse spider is one of only two spiders in the nation whose bite can prove fatal. You may have seen this spider in or around your Overland Park home, and it's important to understand why. These spiders thrive in the warmer states of the Midwest and South, namely because of the warm summers and mild winters. Kansas is one of the top U.S. states for brown recluse sightings, and to date, the brown recluse has not established in any states outside of its native area. Encountering one of these spiders can be a scary experience, but normally they do not bite unless provoked. However, there are many situations where you could startle one of these spiders, such as by slipping your hand or foot into a gardening glove or shoe where they may be hiding. Even turning over a log that they are sitting on or slipping on a sweater that a brown recluse has decided to call home could result in an ugly bite. Their bites are rarely fatal, but in just a few hours, the skin surrounding the bite area begins to die as the venom continues to spread. Brown recluse spiders prefer dark quiet areas, so closets, garages, and the bottom of furniture that's outside of your Overland Park home could potentially be home to these poisonous pests.