It’s Saturday morning in Gilbert, AZ and you are cleaning the debris from around the house. You need to hurry and get this done because today is little Jimmy’s birthday party and there will be tons of people over to the house. Can you picture it? Next thing you know a wolf spider runs up your arm and down the back of your t-shirt. You jump up, arms flailing and you pull off your shirt and watch the spider scurry away as you try to catch your breath. Now you are standing in your yard shirtless as the neighbor walks by with his dog. At that moment remember that Pro Active Pest Control is just a phone call away. Oh, and don’t forget your shirt.
What Is A Wolf Spider?
Wolf spiders meet the standard description of spiders. It’s their behavior that sets them apart from other spiders. They are hunters. In fact, this is where they get their name. Wolf spiders are very fast and precise in their hunting methods This spider does not spin the typical web. They have spinnerets and use them to line their burrows or lay down mating trails. Here are a few basic traits:
- Eight legs.
- Usually dark brown with stripes.
- Large body with long spindly legs
- Female ⅜ - 1 ⅜ inch; male ¼ - ¾ inch.
- Has large hairy fangs.
When you Google a wolf spider, images of the Australian wolf spider flood the screen. Don’t worry, the American species is less terrifying. The Aussie version looks more like our tarantula. We have over 100 different types of wolf spiders in the United States and they can be found throughout the country.
Just Scary Looking
This wolf spider’s bark is worse than its bite. In fact, they are harmless to humans and pets, just more of a nuisance. They are nocturnal creatures and if you happen to shine a light at them, you will notice that their eyes glow green. This is kind of creepy. They will bite if you attempt to capture and handle it, but this rarely happens. The female wolf spider is an attentive mother. She will carry her egg case with her and can sometimes be seen sunning her egg case. The eggs will hatch in a month. The baby spiders climb onto the mother’s back and hold on to special hairs until they are ready to make it on their own.
Wolf Spider Prevention Tips
It is rare that a wolf spider will come into your house, however finding them in the garage or shed shouldn’t be surprising. Here are a few tips to keep them away:
- Check window screens for holes, rips, or bent frames.
- Fill holes and cracks around the outside of the house.
- Empty garbage frequently.
- Keep outdoor garbage cans away from the house.
- Be sure that food is in airtight plastic containers.
- Insulate pipes to avoid condensation.
Most likely if a wolf spider has come into your home, it’s because they are following prey. Eliminating the food source will definitely aid you in your objective. It’s wise to continue these practices even when you do not encounter spiders in the home. They will go a long way to keep a pest-free environment.
The Best Way To Keep Them Away
Just because they don’t bite, doesn’t mean that you want them around your house. We get it. They are big and creepy looking, the stuff bad dreams are made of. Pro Active Pest Control has an action plan ready and waiting to rid you and your property of these creepy crawlers known as spiders. Call us for a free estimate today.