Many creatures are either named after something they look like or something they hunt. Thankfully, with wolf spiders, it isn’t the latter. These furry eight-legged pests could only hurt a fly, or perhaps other insects or arthropods around their size. In no universe do these pests hunt or kill actual wolves! What they do is invade and cause trouble for Raleigh homeowners. To help you keep these invasive spiders out of your home, here is a complete guide for you to use.
How To Identify A Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are one of the few species of arachnid that have forward-facing eyes. This feature, combined with their dark brown color, pale to yellow markings, and the fine fur covering their bodies, give them an appearance similar to that of wolves. Although practically identical in shape and appearance, female wolf spiders are much bigger than their male counterparts and can grow to be 1 ⅜” long.
Although capable of producing silk, wolf spiders do not build webs. The only time they use their silk is to construct an egg sack. Inside homes, wolf spiders stick towards the ground, hunting for their prey from the shadows. Storage areas, basements, and garages are all common places these spiders like to hide. You are most likely to come across a wolf spider while moving stored items, or late at night, as they are nocturnal and will only venture out into the open after sunset.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
Despite their scary appearance, wolf spiders are practically harmless pests. The only time these 8-legged arachnids will bite is when directly interacted with or threatened. In short, they will not go out of their way to hurt you. Even if you were bit by one of these pests, the worst you can expect is a small amount of pain, swelling, and itching around the bite’s site. However, if you are allergic to insect venom, a bite from a wolf spider will likely be considerably more dangerous. Consult your doctor to understand your risk.
How Wolf Spiders Invade
Pests generally invade homes to escape inclement weather, find food, or to search for water. Wolf spiders are no different. If your home is the safest place around and has yummy bugs for wolf spiders to hunt, be sure they will try to invade. The question is, how? Most often, wolf spiders will use a gap or crack in a home’s foundation to squeeze their way inside. They may also use a rip in a window or door screen, a space under an exterior door, or any other damage to your home’s exterior. If you have a habit of leaving windows or doors open, they might even walk inside, no questions asked.
How To Prevent Wolf Spiders
To prevent wolf spiders, you must also prevent the other pests they invade to hunt. To help you with this today, here are some great general exclusion tips for you to use around your home:
- Clean up clutter and debris from around your yard
- Trim back tree branches and bushes at least five feet from your home’s exterior
- Make sure your gutters are in good working condition
- Use a caulking gun to seal up gaps, openings, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation
- Make sure there is no spacing around window or door frames and that all of your home’s screens are in working order
- Thoroughly clean your home at least once a week and do your best to address messes as they happen
- Store leftover foods inside tightly-sealed containers
- Keep clutter and organize storage areas
If wolf spiders invade your home, or you are looking for a more reliable way to keep these pests out of your Raleigh home, look no further than Innovative Pest Solutions. With control plans that get the job done and service you can count on, you will never wonder if you have made the right choice. Give us a call today at Innovative Pest Solutions to find out what our family has to offer yours.
