You are probably reading this post because you currently have an intruder, suspected to be a wolf spider in your home and you are searching for the best way to get rid of it. Don’t fret even if it is totally normal for you to be worried. So, how to get rid of wolf spiders? This post will furnish you with a few tips and treatment that will help you get rid of wolf spiders without any difficulty as well as a detailed information to prevent it from coming into your home in the future.
What Is A Wolf Spider?
Whether you have or have not identified the intruder as a wolf spider, this section will help you determine for certain that a wolf spider is indeed what you think it to be. This is especially important as the wolf spider is usually confused with nursery web, brown recluse, and fishing spiders. A wolf spider belongs to the Family Lycosidae and is commonly found in the united states and Canada.
There are more than 150 different genera of the insect in these regions. The different genera of wolf spiders differ in body size which may range from about 8 to 35 mm. The arachnid has eight eyes which contribute to making them even scarier. The eyes of a wolf spider are arranged in three rows with the top row consisting of two medium-sized eyes, two large eyes in the center row and four small sized eyes in the bottom row.
Unlike many species in the class Arachnida, the wolf spider sees clearly and it always puts it eyes to good use. Also, the creature is hairy on its legs and most part of its body. The color of wolf spiders may vary ranging from brown to gray. However, unlike other smaller species of spider, this one does not really spin webs since it prefers to hunt for food instead of just waiting for its web to trap preys.
The wolf spider is a diurnal, which invariably means it hunts both during the day and at night, thanks to its clear vision and fast movements. In terms of habitat, wolf spiders prefer inland and coastal areas such as woodland, shrublands, coastal forest, suburban gardens, alpine meadows. While some species burrows, others wander around and may eventually find themselves in our homes. Even though they are known as “wolf spiders” the arachnids prefer to hunt alone.
How Did A Wolf Spider Get Into My House?
Although most wolf spiders maintain a specific habitat as already stated above, there are few other species that prefer to wander from place to place. The arachnids can be found in abandoned types of equipment and furniture around the house during summer and spring, but they get a little uncomfortable, just like other insects when winter approaches.
It is only natural that they find a place that is more conducive until the harsh weather season passes. Unfortunately, they may find their way into your house through the window, door or other openings. The appearance and quick movements of the creature may scare you thus forcing you to find the best way to get rid of it.
Your fear is especially worsened if you have kids as you may become worried about their safety. You may find them in your basement, as well as close to your door or window. They are easier to find at night as the beam of your flashlight on the arachnid creates something known as the eyeshine which involves the boomerang of the beam back towards you.
Should I Be Worried About A Wolf Spider In My House
You may have heard a couple of times from different sources that a wolf spider is not poisonous, but for convenience reasons, many people just want the creature out of their environment because of the fear they instill. Interestingly, wolf spider does not bite until they feel threatened. The creatures prefer to hunt for its smaller preys.
Although wolf spiders are venomous, it was found in the 90s that their venom has no necrotic effects in humans. Doctors have since stopped the administration of wolf spiders anti-venom to patients bitten by the arachnid following the discovery.
However, even though the bite from wolf spiders may not harm the health of an average adult, the same cannot be said for kids and older people. It is recommended to seek immediate medical attention when people that fall within this category are bitten by the creature. This is primarily due to the fact that their immune system is not as strong as that of an average adult.
Symptoms Of Wolf Spider Bite
Even though wolf spider bite is not accompanied by necrotic effects in adults, it sure causes some unpleasant effect that may differ from person to person. The symptoms include but are not limited to pain, swelling, redness, and itching. You may find two pink-reddish dots or even a torn skin on the bite site. You can find treatment for this.
For some people, pain and swelling do not last more than 10 to 15 minutes but it may persist for as long as a couple of days for others. However, it is imperative to state that these effects are produced as a result of the body’s natural response to the bite and from the wolf spiders venom.
Benefits Of Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders do not cause damage to the home and they will not attack you without being provoked. While you may find it a little bit difficult to agree with this section of the post, I will reiterate that the arachnid has some benefits in the home. Wolf spiders mostly seek shelter in your home when the weather is not conducive for them outside.
You should note that this also applies to other insects that may try to get a conducive place to stay in your home. Wolf spiders are incredible hunters and they may do a good job in keeping the population of insect in check. Also, since they don’t attack humans until provoked, their presence may go unnoticed.
However, this does not mean you should welcome wolf spiders into your home. In fact, it is important to take active steps to prevent their entrance as there is no medical evidence to show that they don’t pose a health risk, even though their bite has no necrotic effects. Also, the creature is a big no-no if you have kids or elderly individuals in your house.
Signs Of A Wolf Spider In The House
If you stay in a region infested by wolf spiders, you may be worried that they may enter into your home because of their ability to spread wide and far. If you fear the wolf spiders are already in your home, there may be practically no way to tell if it is actually present except spotting it. It may be easier for you to clear your doubt by searching for it at night since it mostly hunts during this time.
How To Get Rid Of A Wolf Spider In The House
For some brave individuals, hunting for the wolf spiders in the house before it hunts them is their principle. This category of individuals may either capture and relocate the wolf spiders to a place away from their homes or kill it on the spot. Although this is not totally a bad thing, it is important to reiterate that the arachnid only attacks when provoked or threatened. For this reason, going for them before they come for you may not be a great idea.
If you are among the verse majority who prefer to take caution and find other means to get rid of the wolf spider without direct contact, then you are in luck. How to get rid of wolf spiders? How to take prevention? This post will furnish you with a few tips to help you get rid of the arachnid, pest control, and also prevent its future entry into your home. Here are a few ways to get rid of a wolf spider in the house:
1. Insecticides & Pesticides
Insecticide is of your options to get rid of wolf spiders. It is advised to carefully read the guidelines for using the product as well as precautions. This is especially because while some insecticides work better outdoors, others are perfect for indoor use. Outdoor-specific insecticides may also not be safe for indoor.
Furthermore, these spiders are hardened creatures, and their skin is hair, thus an insecticide that worked well for other types of insect, may not be effective in getting rid of the wolf spider. This is the reason why it is best to go for chemicals that are specifically designed for the creature. For instance, you can easily get rid of wolf spiders if you purchase an insecticide containing at least one of these active ingredients:
- pyrethrin
- deltamethrin
- bifenthrin
- Cypermethrin
The pest control insecticide should be applied in areas where you last spotted the wolf spider, in tight corners, cracks, and equipment that are no longer in use.
2. Clear The Place
If the wolf spiders are spotted in a particular room in the home, clearing the place would be a great idea. Move everything in place and dispose of others you no longer need. It may be difficult for the wolf spider to find a hiding spot if there are no such things in the room. After clearing the environment, you should consider vacuuming and if you are lucky the wolf spiders will be picked by your vacuum cleaner. Also, it will be easier for the insecticide to get to the creature if the room is clear and spacious.
3. Natural Means
If you are patient enough, you just wait for the wolf spiders to find its way out since it doesn’t destroy the home or pose a threat to your health. As already mention above, they only seek the comfort of your home when the weather outside is not conducive. For this reason, one may safely conclude that the wolf spiders may find its own way out when summer approaches as they may not find your indoor temperature conducive. In addition, you may not need to do anything if you keep pets like dogs and cat indoor as they may help you get rid of the spider before you even become aware of their presence.
4. Spider Traps
Another way to remove wolf spiders are spider traps are also great ideas for capturing the arachnids. The products are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. All you have to do is place it at the location where the wolf spider was last spotted and if you are lucky, the creature will be trapped.
Preventing Future Wolf Spider Infestation
Wolf spiders usually find their way into your home through an opening. For this reason, you should probably start by sealing all possible opening in the house that can be used by the creature to gain access into your home. Seal the bottom of the door and openings on the window.
Additionally, you should consider filling holes and cracks on the wall and floor. This may be made easier if you have a kind of sealant and a caulk. You can also use the equipment to fill all the holes in your outdoor environment and garden.
Essentria G Granular Insecticide is a great product to help keep wolf spiders and other insects away from your house. It is an organic, plant-based on a product that is relatively safe for humans and pets. The insecticide is specially designed for outdoor use. Although the Essentria G Granular Insecticide is a little bit pricey, you will find that its benefits are commensurate to its cost.
Keep your garage airy with only a few useful things. You may dispose of items that you do not need anymore. This will make your garage inhabitable not only for wolf spiders but also for other creatures that may pose a threat to your health. Regular fumigation may also be a great way to keep wolf spiders away.
