Brown recluse spiders invade Edmond apartment, leaving mother fearful for child

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — An Edmond mother is fearful about staying in her apartment because she said it's invaded with brown recluse spiders.

Claire Chilcoat has lived in Greens at Coffee Creek Apartments for over a year and said the problem has been on and off since she first moved in.

Chilcoat said it's only getting worse and worse and now she's worried for her child's safety.

"I have nightmares about him getting bit in the face," said Chilcoat. "I'm seeing three or four or five spiders in a day that are brown recluse," said Chilcoat.

With several sticky pads placed throughout her apartment, Chilcoat said she checks the traps daily to get an idea of where the brown recluse spider's are.

"They've been everywhere. I mean, there's not an area in the apartment where I can say that I haven't found one," said Chilcoat.

The most concerning area is in her one-year-old son's bedroom.

"Especially behind his bed where he's sleeping and around his toys in his closet, where his clothes are hanging every day," said Chilcoat. "I've gone door knocking because I'm so concerned and I've had several neighbors tell me, at least two or three other people that have this issue."

Shawn Wilder, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University said the spiders are tamer than the public perception.

"They're not really aggressive," said Wilder. "They're not going to try to go hurt anybody. But the biggest one I've heard is that people will get bitten sometimes when they end up inadvertently squeezing the spider."

However if you are bit, it can leave more than a mark.

"Like the spider bite itself could cause a little bit of damage to the tissue," said Wilder.

Wilder said the spiders love to live inside.

"I think they're just looking for any type of sheltered habitat during the day. I think they like to to hide so, crevices where they can hide," said Wilder.

Chilcoat said she's contacted management numerous times about the venomous spiders, but said they no longer respond to her and won't let her out of her lease.

"I just want my son safe. I just don't want to live where there's brown recluse anymore," said Chilcoat.

News 4 tried to talk with the leasing office but were told the manager was out of office.