The brown recluse is native to the United States, but is found mainly in the central Midwestern states southward to the Gulf of Mexico. It may be transported accidentally in materials to other states. They prefer warm, dry, undisturbed areas. Indoors, they are usually found in storage areas such as closets, basements, and cellars where the spiders take shelter in boxes, stored clothing, shoes, under furniture, folded bedding, and other cluttered areas.