Wolf spiders are hairy spiders with brown bodies and markings that can be black, yellow, and white. Female wolf spiders are larger than males, growing up to an inch and a half in length, while the males grow to about three-quarters of an inch.
Wolf spiders get their name not from their hairy bodies but from how they catch their prey. Unlike other spider species that catch their prey in webs, wolf spiders hunt down their prey much like wolves do. Wolf spiders are speedy runners.
Like most spiders, wolf spiders feed on insects. They may also eat other spiders and even small amphibians and reptiles. They primarily catch their prey at night.
Wolf spiders do not build webs. Because they hunt for food by chasing down their prey, they don’t need webs to catch food like other spiders do.
Wolf spiders’ large size and hairy bodies tend to scare people who assume they are dangerous. Thankfully, looks can be deceiving. Wolf spiders are nuisance pests that pose no serious threats to people or property. In fact, they can be beneficial since they eat a lot of insects.
Although wolf spiders can bite, they rarely do. If you get bitten by a wolf spider, you may experience localized pain, but it’s rare for any worsening symptoms to develop.
Wolf spiders prefer to live at ground level. They usually rest during the day and hunt at night. Outside, you may find them hiding in wood piles, under stones, or in piles of lawn debris. Wolf spiders typically lurk in basements and ground floor levels when they enter. They tend to stick close to walls or under furniture.
Wolf spiders usually get inside by accident and often when they are hunting. They may decide to stay if they get into your house and find food there. Otherwise, if they can’t find food inside your house, they’ll probably move on to look for a food source somewhere else.
The primary way to determine if you have a wolf spider problem is if you start seeing wolf spiders in your house. You are most likely to see wolf spiders at night since they are nocturnal and hunt for their food at night. If you think you have an infestation, check under furniture and along the edges of walls.
Crushing every spider you see is ineffective, and if you don’t eliminate their food sources, wolf spiders will continue to be a problem. If you start seeing wolf spiders around your house, the best thing to do is contact the Anti-Pesto professionals.
Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company offers home pest control services to meet your needs and eliminate your wolf spider problems. We provide same-day services (if you call before noon) and free callbacks. If wolf spiders or other covered pests show up in your house, we’ll return to take care of them at no additional cost.
Preventing a wolf spider problem is possible if you are proactive. Because wolf spiders usually get inside by accident while hunting prey, there are several steps you can take to help you keep your house free of wolf spiders. The following prevention tips will help:
For even better wolf spider prevention, contact Anti-Pesto. We can help you implement a pest control plan that protects your home from wolf spiders and the pests that attract them. We look forward to helping you keep your house free from wolf spiders.
From the first contact call the staff was very professional, courteous and informative. We discussed the issues and set a plan with an appointment within a couple days. Shane, our technician, was very prompt and courteous. Very informative during the inspection process and strategically put a deterrent plan in place. I would highly recommend Anti-Pesto Bug Killers.
Jim J.
Largo, FL
We had a wasp infestation in our backyard shed. Anti-Pesto responded immediately and were out to our place within about two hours and took care of everything thoroughly. They will even follow-up again within two weeks to be sure that the problem does not recur. They are awesome!
Daniel Z.
Largo, FL
Amazing quality work. I’ve had a few pest control companies spray and ants would still enter our home and act as roommates. Sam Hurtado is our technician and he answers everything with knowledge and always brings quality work. Even if there was recent pest work they always arrange if I have issues. Thank you!!
Trish N.
Tampa, FL
Helpful Tips & Info
