Many cases of bites are reported from Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The edge of its range just reaches the tip of western Virginia, but it occurs rarely in this state. The spider commonly lives in basements and garages of houses and often hides behind boards and boxes. Bites often occur when the spiders hide in towels or old clothes left in those areas. Spiderlings emerge in 24-36 days and abandon the egg case.
Development is slow, influenced by weather conditions and food availability.
They reach maturity in 10 to 12 months and can survive long periods of time without food or water. The severity of the bite may vary. The symptoms may vary from no harm at all to a reaction that is very severe. Often there is a systemic reaction within 24-36 hours characterized by restlessness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and joint pain. In some severe cases, a wound may develop that lasts several months.