I do not know if there are brown recluse spiders here, but their bite is
very serious, (Ruth , I forwarded your message to my cousin who is STILL
dealing with effects from his encounter). the spider's saliva contains a
substance that digests the flesh. What starts out as a little bite gets to
involve a whole area around the bite. There is another spider common to the
PNW, called the "Hobo" spider(don't know the Latin), that hangs out in wood
piles, compost bins etc, it's bite in very painful and to some with
allergies or other problems can be very serious also.
Sandi
Capitol Hill
scadane at msn.com