Unless you’re a fan of arachnids, you probably don’t like seeing spiders in your home. These eight-legged creatures usually give homeowners the creeps with their long limbs and hairy bodies. One species you might encounter indoors is the wolf spider. While wolf spiders don’t cause any particular harm, they are on the larger side and can be frightening to spot at home.
Here are some characteristics of wolf spiders to help you identify them. A pest control specialist can manage spiders in your home so you can relax and not have to worry about facing one at every turn. They can also help with other types of spiders, like grass spiders.
Wolf Spider Size, Habits and Other Characteristics
Wolf spiders are a widespread group, with 240 species thriving in North America alone. They got the name “wolf” because they chase their prey and pounce on them. This sets them apart from other spiders, who trap their prey on webs.
If you think you have wolf spiders at home, these characteristics and habits can help confirm your suspicions.
Size
Wolf spiders range in size from half an inch to two inches. The largest kind can have legs as long as three inches, making people think they have tarantulas at home.
Appearance
Most wolf spiders have a brown hue, although some might appear black. They have hairy bodies and long, thick legs, much to the repulsion of homeowners. They also have prominent and powerful jaws.
Another distinct characteristic to look out for is their eye arrangement. They have three rows of eyes: four tiny eyes on the bottom row, two massive eyes in the middle row and two medium eyes in the top row. If you walk around with a flashlight at night, you might see the light bounce off their eyes.
Behavior
Wolf spiders have unique reproductive habits. Their eggs are protected in a gray silk sac attached to the mother’s spinnerets or silk-producing organs. It will seem like she’s dragging around an enormous ball by her abdomen. Once the eggs hatch, the babies ride on their mother’s back until partially grown.
Wolf spiders are expert hunters with impressive running speed. They hunt during the day or at night, depending on the species. They don’t typically bite humans.
Habitat
Wolf spiders thrive in large numbers around houses and buildings, particularly structures with lush greenery. You can usually find them in the grass, under logs and rocks and among leaf litter. As for their nests, most species like to build tubular ones in the ground, lining them with silk. Some will use rubbish to hide the entrance to their nests, while others construct turret-like structures above as protection.
While you’ll typically find wolf spiders outside, they like to go indoors in the fall, searching for a warm hiding place. Door gaps and exterior wall cracks are all possible entryways for them. You might spot them around your windows, doors, indoor plants, basement and garage.
While wolf spiders aren’t aggressive toward humans and rarely bite, they are not something you want to see lurking around your home. You might notice an increase in their number during colder months, so that’s the time to be proactive. If you don’t want any jump scares, contact a pest control specialist to manage the situation.
Are Wolf Spiders Harmful?
All spiders can bite humans. It’s their way of protecting themselves against perceived threats. However, some spider species are more dangerous to humans than others because of their venom.
Fortunately, wolf spiders typically do not bite people. Unless you accidentally get close and touch one, your chances of getting bitten are low.
Even though they rarely happen, wolf spider bites can still cause discomfort. They can also be quite painful because wolf spiders are on the larger side.
Here’s everything to know about wolf spider bites.
Appearance
Wolf spiders will leave two marks on your skin from their fangs. The bite might develop a red, itchy bump, but it should disappear in a few days. If there’s mild pain, it should subside in a few minutes. However, some people might develop an allergic reaction to wolf spider bites. Consult a doctor immediately if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction.
Treatment
If you suspect a wolf spider bite, wash the area immediately with warm soap and water and apply a cold compress to help with the swelling. You can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medication. If your symptoms aren’t improving, get immediate professional care.
Prevention
Wolf spider encounters are rare because they are introverted creatures and are probably more scared of you than you are of them. Unlike other spiders who stay put in their webs, they are always on the go. But if you want to be as careful as possible, here are some things you can do to steer clear of wolf spiders and avoid being bitten:
- Keep your home clutter-free, especially in darker areas, to eliminate hiding spots.
- Use a flashlight if it’s dark in certain places in your home to see everything around you.
- Shake out boxes, shoes and other items before using them.
- Wear long-sleeved tops and pants outdoors, especially at night when wolf spiders are most active.
If there’s a growing population of wolf spiders in your home, let pest control specialists take over. They will assess the level of infestation in your home and provide an effective solution to manage these creepy crawlies. They can also help with other pests, like mites and bed bugs.
What To Do if You Find Wolf Spiders in Your House
Wolf spiders outside your home aren’t a problem, and there’s no need to control their population. However, they might find refuge in your home during colder months.
If you see a few inside, you can place glue traps around your space to catch them. Some strategic spots for these traps would be the garage, behind furniture and on both sides of your exterior doors. You can also trap them in a jar and let them go outside if you’re not afraid to get close. Finding one or two of them in your home doesn’t mean you have an infestation because they don’t generally breed indoors.
You can prevent wolf spiders from wandering into your home by sealing cracks and gaps in your exterior walls and pipes. It also helps to install screens on your doors, windows and attic vents. Here are some other ways to deter these hairy arachnids:
- Sweep and discard leaf litter outside and don’t pile them up against your property
- Limit or eliminate dense, ground-covering greenery near your property
- Remove potential food sources for insects around your property because wolf spiders hunt them
If wolf spiders don’t want to stay away from your indoor living space despite your best prevention efforts, it’s time for reinforcements. Have pest control specialists come over to inspect your home thoroughly. They will check for an infestation and gauge its extent. They will also determine wolf spiders’ entryways to get inside your home. Then, pest control professionals will take the necessary measures to restore peace in your home.
Dealing With Wolf Spiders in Your Home? Let a Professional Come to the Rescue
You should feel safe and comfortable in your home. While wolf spiders are generally harmless, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. If they make you feel scared and jumpy, let pest control professionals come to the rescue. They have the expertise and tools to control the wolf spider population in your home and eliminate hiding spots and entryways to prevent future infestations.
ABC Can Reduce the Number of Wolf Spiders on Your Property
Finding spiders around your property can be concerning. You can feel more comfortable by contacting ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our pros create custom spider control solutions, so you don’t have to worry about so many wolf spiders and other common household spiders.
