Are Brown Recluse Spiders Moving Into Maine? Here’s What Experts Say

The moment the word spreads that a non-native, dangerous insect is heard to be crawling into Maine, we all get a little nervous.

A few questions on if the brown recluse spider has been spotted in Maine have risen due to possible bites and the short answer is, no, according to WGME.

This is very good news. The spider scientists, aka entomologists at the University of Maine have reported that there has been one confirmed case of a brown recluse in the past, but it was dead and probably got here hitchhiking on a shipment.  

Check out the difference between the brown recluse and other dangerous spiders on this video below from MyWildBackyard via YouTube.

The brown recluse can not survive here in Maine, it’s more of a southern spider. The climate is a huge barrier, our winters and wet conditions is not an ideal habitat for them.  

Read More: These Maine Bugs Are Taking Over My House By The Thousands

However, there have been several suspected brown recluse spider bites but they turn out to be bites from other spiders like wolf spiders, fishing spiders, and orb weavers.  

If you think you’ve spotted a brown recluse in Maine, which is possible, take a photo of it and send it to the endomologists at UNE. If you get bit by a spider, see a doctor.  

I think our biggest fears can sometimes tend to make our imaginations go wild but what you suspect is a brown recluse, normally is not.