Summary: Most spiders look alike, so it’s important to know how to tell the difference between a pest and a dangerous species. This blog details the differences between grass spiders and brown recluses, two similar-looking spiders with very different lifestyles. Pointe Pest Control provides reliable spider control for every season.

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There’s nothing worse than seeing a spider and not being able to tell if it’s one of the scary species with a venomous bite, or if it’s a harmless visitor.

A prime example of this mix-up is with the grass spider and the brown recluse. These spiders look very similar at first glance. They also prefer to stay far from humans, so it’s hard to get a good look at the arachnid and determine which kind it is. However, it’s helpful to know the difference between a venomous enemy and an introverted critter.

Let’s break down the basic facts to discover the differences between these common arachnids!

The Appearances

Our first point of contact with any spider is visual: we see the spider and try to determine its species based on its physical features. Brown recluses and grass spiders have similar features, which makes it hard to immediately know the difference between these polar opposites. That’s why we’re taking a look at both for comparison!

Grass spiders have:

A length of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch
Yellow or brown coloring
2 dark brown bands on their abdomens
Striped legs
8 eyes (2 on top, 4 in the middle, 2 on bottom)
Long spinnerets

Brown recluses have:

A length of 3/8 of an inch
Light brown or gray coloring
A fiddle-shaped marking on their abdomens (hence their nickname “fiddleback spider”)
Shorter legs
6 eyes (3 pairs of 2)
Cream-colored webs

The Habitats

Now that we know what these spiders look like, it’s time to move into their habitats. Well, not literally. The last thing we want to do is live in the same place as a bunch of spiders!

But we digress. Grass spiders and brown recluses have opposing living situations, which gives us another big clue as to which spider we’re facing.

Grass spiders usually stay in the grass, unsurprisingly. They’re found in meadows, fields, lawns, and plants. They don’t want to be near humans or animals, so grass spiders use thick greenery as an easy hiding spot. We see more grass spiders in late summer and fall because males are searching for their mates. After overwintering, the eggs hatch in the spring somewhere in the grass.

Brown recluses are mostly found indoors. Their introverted tendencies and preference for the indoors definitely played a part in the “recluse” part of their name. These spiders hide in the quiet, dark corners of any isolated space. Their favorite habitats are in sheds, basements, attics, garages, and closets. Brown recluses are also known to hide inside shoes that sit out for long periods, so check your shoes before you put them on!

The Diets

Like every spider, both of these arachnids are carnivores. They survive on the prey that either gets caught in their webs or by the spiders themselves. But it’s still worth taking a look at the methods these pests use to enjoy their pest-centric meals.

Grass spiders hunt for food in their grassy habitats. They’re in for a treat if the lawn they invaded is particularly pest-infested. Grass spiders eat any small pests that are found in their area. Their favorites include moths, beetles, mosquitoes, aphids, and young butterflies. Since grass spiders are nocturnal, they can have a limited selection of prey.

Brown recluses also hunt for their prey, which is why they try to invade places that already have a pest presence. Moths, roaches, flies, crickets, and other spiders are their favorite foods. Since they’re also nocturnal, brown recluses spend their nights prowling around their habitats in search of other nighttime critters.

The Webs

Neither of these spiders camp out in their webs for very long, so you won’t be able to tell the difference that way. As opposed to web-dwelling spiders — black widows, cellar spiders, etc. — these two don’t like staying in their webs. They’d rather be out hunting prey or finding a mate.

Grass spiders spin funnel-shaped webs in the grass or plant that they’re inhabiting. Oddly enough, these webs aren’t sticky like traditional spiderwebs. They look like web sheets when they’re in the grass, covering a wider surface area in order to ensnare their prey.

Brown recluses create some of the messiest webs you’ve ever seen. These webs are purely used as a retreat for the brown recluses during the day. They would rather hunt for their food than try to catch it in their webs, so they can afford to make them a little messy.

The Dangers

It’s time to get into the real dirt on these pests. Both are definitely creepy-looking (no offense to them), but are either of them actually dangerous to us? One of them is, and you probably know which one we’re talking about already.

Grass spiders are basically harmless. They do bite humans, but it’s rare and only when the spider is provoked. Their fangs are too small to do much damage and might not even break the skin. Besides that, their venom isn’t strong enough to harm anyone, except those who have an allergy.

Brown recluses are the complete opposite. They’re one of the two most dangerous U.S. spiders (along with black widows) to humans. When brown recluses are provoked, they deliver a venomous bite that kills the tissues and cells surrounding the site. Anyone bitten by a brown recluse should seek medical attention immediately.

Should You Keep Grass Spiders Around?

There’s no doubt that we never want brown recluses around, no matter how many bugs they eat. But grass spiders are a different story. They do help with the pest population in lawns and yards as a whole. They also don’t want anything to do with us, and would rather stay outdoors than invade our homes (unless they need food).

That being said, grass spiders are still spiders. It’s not great to leave spiders alone near your home because they’ll just continue reproducing and exploring their surroundings. Their bite isn’t dangerous, but it’s still annoying to be bitten by a spider when you’re enjoying your own yard. Plus, their webs become an eyesore when they start covering your lawn!

In our opinion, the slight pest control they provide isn’t worth making sure your yard has plenty of grass spiders. You would be better off using DIY pest solutions or professional services that actually eliminate every pest in your yard.

The Art Of Preventing Spiders

Spiders don’t invade in droves, so it’s a manageable goal to prevent them from entering your home. The key is to eliminate their food sources and consistently check in the places they would otherwise hide.

Our top tips on preventing spiders are:

Mow the lawn: Nothing cuts down on the number of spiders hiding in your yard like keeping the grass cut! Mow the lawn regularly during the warmer months.

Clean the floors: This ensures there aren’t any spiders hiding in the corner of your home. Use your preferred method (mop, vacuum, sweep) to clean the floors often.

Seal any cracks: Remove entry points into your home by sealing cracks and gaps. Seal small ones with caulk, and fill large holes with steel wool before lining with caulk.

Keep a tidy yard: Take away their habitats, and you’ll lower the chances of spiders taking over your yard. Trim back plants and trees at least 1 foot from the house, and prune overgrown plants.

Remove spiderwebs: Spiders reuse old webs, so it’s best to remove every web before a wandering spider finds one. Use a broom, vacuum, or hose (if you’re outside) to remove it.

Kick Spiders To The Curb With Pointe!

We appreciate the fact that spiders eat smaller pests, but that doesn’t mean we want spiders hanging around (literally) our homes! At Pointe Pest Control, our experienced technicians provide customized solutions for your spider problems. We inspect the property for all signs of pest activity, then use our observations to create a treatment plan that’s customized to solve your pest problems as safely and efficiently as possible.

We’re committed to protecting your home from persistent pests, so we provide year-round service for your pest control needs. Whether you need help preventing spiders, their prey, or both, Pointe is here to help. Contact us today for a free quote on our reliable services and say goodbye to your spider worries for good!

Citations

Brown recluse spiders. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/spiders/brown-recluse-spiders/

Butler, A. (2024, December 15). Grass spiders: Should you get rid of them?. LawnStarter. Available at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/pest-control/grass-spiders/ (Accessed on January 17, 2025).

Coggan, S. (2023, October 20). Think twice before trying to get rid of this brown recluse spider look-alike. House Digest. Available at https://www.housedigest.com/1422945/grass-spider-vs-brown-recluse-lawn-garden-beneficial-pest/ (Accessed on January 17, 2025).

Grass spider. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/spiders/grass-spiders/

Pino, M. (2025, January 1). Grass spiders: Are they dangerous and how to get rid of them. Planet Natural. Available at https://www.planetnatural.com/grass-spider/ (Accessed on January 17, 2025).