A Missouri family sued the previous owners of a house that they had just bought after Brown Recluse Spiders "started bleeding out of the walls." An expert came in and estimated that the house was infested with 4,000 — 5,000 of the spiders.
The Nightmare House: Thousands of Spiders Bleeding From Walls
Imagine buying your dream home, a beautiful property in a quiet Missouri suburb, only for it to transform into a living nightmare. This was the terrifying reality for Brian and Susan Trost, who purchased a $450,000 house in Weldon Spring in 2007. Their new beginning quickly soured as they encountered an unthinkable horror: a massive infestation of venomous brown recluse spiders.
The initial signs were unsettling, but the true scope of the problem soon became horrifyingly clear. Spiders weren't just lurking in corners; they were everywhere. Witnesses reported that the arachnids seemed to be "bleeding out of the walls" and even falling from the ceilings. This wasn't just a few stray spiders; it was a deluge of venomous creatures making their home within the Trosts' newly acquired property.
An Unfathomable Infestation
To confirm their worst fears, an expert was called in to assess the extent of the infestation. The findings were staggering. The expert estimated that the house harbored an astonishing 4,500 to 6,000 brown recluse spiders. This count was made even during the winter months, a period when these spiders are typically less active and more difficult to spot. The sheer numbers painted a grim picture of a home overrun.
Brown recluse spiders, identifiable by the violin-shaped marking on their backs, are known for their potent venom. While their bites are rarely fatal, they can cause necrotic lesions, leading to severe tissue damage and slow-healing open sores. The thought of thousands of these spiders inhabiting one's living space is enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.
A Battle Lost: Forced Abandonment
The Trost family launched a desperate battle against their eight-legged invaders. They engaged multiple pest control companies, investing significant time and money into professional extermination efforts. However, the relentless tide of spiders proved too formidable. No matter what measures were taken, the brown recluse population persisted, making the house uninhabitable.
Facing constant fear and the inability to live safely in their own home, the Trosts were ultimately forced to abandon the property. The dream of homeownership had dissolved into a financial and emotional catastrophe, leaving them without a usable house and deeply traumatized by the experience. Their personal sanctuary had become a source of profound dread.
Legal Woes and Financial Ruin
Seeking recourse, the Trosts filed a lawsuit against the previous owners of the house. They alleged that the former owners had failed to disclose the severe spider infestation prior to the sale. In 2011, a jury sided with the Trosts, awarding them approximately $472,000 in damages. This sum was meant to cover the costs associated with the uninhabitable property and their ordeal.
However, the legal victory proved to be hollow. The previous owners declared bankruptcy, making it impossible for the Trosts to collect the awarded judgment. Further compounding their misfortune, State Farm, the previous owners' insurance company, refused to cover the claim. They argued that a spider infestation did not constitute physical damage to the property and was therefore excluded from their policy.
This left the Trost family in a devastating situation. Despite their legal win, they were left with no compensation and a home they couldn't occupy. The house eventually fell into foreclosure, a stark monument to the nightmarish encounter with thousands of brown recluse spiders. The story serves as a chilling reminder of the hidden horrors that can sometimes lie beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect home.
Understanding the Brown Recluse
- Identification: Look for the distinctive violin-shaped marking on its back, though this can sometimes be faint.
- Habitat: Brown recluses prefer dark, undisturbed areas. In homes, this includes attics, basements, closets, and wall voids.
- Behavior: They are, as their name suggests, reclusive. Bites often occur when they are accidentally disturbed, such as when putting on clothes they've hidden in.
- Venom: Their venom is cytotoxic, meaning it destroys cells and tissues. Bites can cause a range of reactions from mild irritation to severe necrotic lesions.
- Prevalence: Primarily found in the central and southern United States, with Missouri being within their native range.
The Trosts' ordeal highlights the terrifying potential of pest infestations and the complex legal battles that can ensue. It remains a stark, unsettling tale in the annals of homeownership gone wrong.