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Mediterranean recluse spiders discovered in University of Michigan campus library

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Posted at 12:43 PM, Feb 23, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-23 15:31:52-05

(WXYZ) — The Shapiro Undergraduate Library on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus is closed due to the discovery of Mediterranean recluse spiders.

University officials say the library was closed "out of an abundance of caution" and will reopen tomorrow.

Officials also said the spiders were only found in basement storage areas and not in any public spaces. Pest Management is working to treat the areas in the building where the spiders were found.

According to the Michigan Daily, an email sent to library staff says that a recluse spider's bite can cause severe necrosis, or death of body tissue, in a small number of cases.

Additionally, the Michigan Daily reports that library staff were also advised to store items in plastic and off the floor, or seal cardboard boxes with tape.