We all know how tough it can be dealing with an infestation of some kind.
Whether the things involved come in the form of some bees, wasps, rats, or something even bigger.
However, many people’s worst fears would be having thousands of spiders crawling around their homes and causing stress to the people living there.
There are so many different forms of spiders in the world, with thousands being found in the same areas and locations.
Some are poisonous, some are harmless to humans and our beloved pets. But, some are recognizable, such as wolf spiders.
These can be relatively pesky and we want to make your job of getting rid of them easier.
Follow the rest of our guide to find out what these spiders are, what they look like, and 4 expert methods to use when getting rid of them.
At the end of the day, you need to feel; comfortable in your home without the stress of dealing with pests, no matter what form they take.
This complete guide will turn you into an expert on wolf spiders and dealing with them!
Identifying Wolf Spiders
First and foremost, we want to make sure that you know what a wolf spider looks like before you start to worry about what might be in your home.
There’s nothing worse than overthinking things and freaking out about something that might not even be around.
This specific type of arachnid is frequently confused with tarantulas and often falls into a case of mistaken identity when they are inevitably spotted.
They are also often mistaken for fishing spiders and brown recluses because of their size and the similar colors on display.
That being said, there are a few specific features that you can look out for that will make sure you can tell the difference between a wolf spider and the other different types of spiders that you might, unfortunately, see in your home or on your property.
Short Legs
Unlike the other forms of similar-looking spiders on this list, wolf spiders have shorter legs compared to their counterparts.
On top of this, they also have a smaller and stout body, which is more recognizable than the others we’ve mentioned so far.
Wolf spiders will use their legs to hold their prey before eating them.
Eye Formation
A lot of people will hope that they don’t get close enough to a spider that they can see their face because of features like their fangs.
However, their eyes are a huge giveaway of what species they are. Although this is an undesirable way of finding out, it is effective and fascinating.
Wolf spiders have two eyes on the top, both medium in size, two bigger eyes in the middle, and four much smaller eyes at the bottom.
This unique and different look on their face will provide you with a good idea of how different they can be from other arachnids.
No Webs!
One thing that many people will distinguish with spiders is their amazing ability to build massive webs.
These can be complex and unique, however, wolf spiders don’t build webs. They usually wait for their food to enter their immediate vicinity before pouncing.
On top of this, they might also go hunting, rather than spending time and effort forming webs.
Running Speed
One thing that many people will see as intimidating and scary is that these spiders are the Usain Bolt of the spider world.
Okay, maybe not as fast as Usain Bolt, but they can cover around 2 feet in a second, which makes them one of the fastest spider species on the globe.
Although this might seem scary, they usually save this for escaping from other animals or going after their prey.
It’s very unlikely that they’ll ever go after humans in this way because of the size difference.
The Way They Carry Their Eggs
Wolf spiders are particularly unique in this way, which is one that many people find fascinating.
These arachnids will carry the egg sacs on their abdomen, making sure that the eggs are protected and kept safe.
Once hatched, these small spiders will be carried for several days after they are born to make sure that they survive.
Wolf Spider Attraction
Many people will always look to stop the problem at its source, which can often leave them finding what the attraction is.
What brings these spiders to your home and what can be done to stop them?
We’ll say right now that these spiders are relatively solitary and will keep themselves to themselves.
However, they can have eggs, which could mean there are more of them to come.
They will usually avoid human contact and will only bite you if they feel constantly threatened or provoked.
If you keep your distance, they will probably keep theirs. However, they might be found in some of the following places:
- Basements, garages, and attics. Wolf spiders love dark areas and will look for these environments to spend their time.
- Backyards and gardens are usually other preferred areas, especially in log piles or under leaves and bushes.
- Anywhere with live insects like beetles and bugs. This source of constant food should allow them to stick around for long enough.
- Anywhere where there are cracks and gaps present. These small features of most homes provide these spiders with a passage to different locations for food.
I’ve Found A Wolf Spider – What Do I Do?
Although you might feel a little intimidated at first, it’s important to remember that these arachnids have a vital role in the animal kingdom and natural pest control.
Because of their diet and the insects they eat, they can often rid your home of many of these pests and ensure that they don’t come back.
On top of this, they play a massive part in the ecosystem and it’s best to avoid killing them when possible.
However, we know that not many people will want one of them living in their home or their garden.
If you come across more than one of them, or they turn into a pest, then you can get rid of them.
We recommend following these instructions to make sure that you keep your safety at the top of your priority list:
- Do not, under any circumstances, squash the spider. We know that it might seem tempting, but if they are carrying spiderlings, then they will scatter everywhere and you will have a real pest problem in your home.
- Use traps and insecticide sprays to deter them from your home.
- Avoid going near the spider as they might defend themselves if they feel threatened. Do your best to avoid being bitten by the arachnid.
- Call pest control if you have to. Make sure that a professional will do the job for you.
How To Kill A Wolf Spider
If you have read all of that and still feel like you want to get rid of the spider for good, by killing it, then you can follow these steps.
They are solitary creatures and it will be relatively straightforward to get rid of them.
We still recommend that you take preventative measures, rather than killing them, but if you’re going to do it anyway then we want you to stay safe.
Using sprays and traps, as we previously mentioned, is a very effective method and won’t require you to actively seek out the spider.
However, there are other methods to killing a wolf spider, which we’ll look at now.
Wolf Spider Spray
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a spray made directly for dealing with wolf spiders? Well, there is!
This type of spray can be found in most stores with a pest control section, or plenty of different places online like Amazon.
It also works against other different forms of arthropods.
Spider sprays will typically leave a residue on surfaces around the outside of someone’s home, making an invisible barrier of sorts.
Spiders will hopefully pick an area with this spray present to enter your home and will walk through the residue.
We recommend choosing a brand that you’ve heard of, if possible.
Wolf Spider Powders
This is likely to have a similar effect as the insecticide sprays that we mentioned above.
These powders containing Pyrethroids are perfect for sprinkling on floor surfaces and lawns.
However, we recommend that you use this in moderation so you don’t use all of your powder at once, or use too much in the same areas.
You may also use boric acid in powder form for a similar effect in places where you might find wolf spiders.
These locations can include under furniture, in small cracks, dark areas, and corners of dark rooms.
When the wolf spider comes in contact with the powder, the product will damage the creature’s exoskeleton and can cause poisoning.
Natural Solutions
Wolf Spider Traps
There are lots of different spider traps that can be found online and in stores close to you, it’s all about finding the right ones.
These traps can be relatively low in cost and they will ensure that you have a good result in getting rid of these spiders.
They usually come with a sticky adhesive on them so that you can expect the spider to become stuck.
They typically come in the form of a thick layer of card or cardboard and will work in a similar way to a fly trap.
The idea is that the arachnid will walk into the trap, or over it, and it will become stuck. This will eventually lead to the starvation of the creature, and its death.
Once dead, you can remove the spider safely from your property and hope another one won’t appear.
Of course, you’ll want to have these traps situated in areas with low light and dark environments.
These can be anywhere like attics, basements, and garages. This is a great method if you have children and pets present.
Organic Pesticides
Pesticides of a plant-based nature are great at removing wolf spiders, often because they contain Hexa-hydroxyl.
This usually comes in the form of granules or powder because they can be safe for pets and children in this form.
If you have a spider problem outside, then this is perfect for sprinkling on your lawn or in the bushes, where these spiders might be lurking.
The best way to apply pesticides is to use a granular spreader.
If you’re unsure of how to do this then follow the instructions manual or contact the manufacturer directly for the best methods.
A lot of granular products need water to activate fully and are best applied when it’s rained recently or with the morning dew.
Preventing Wolf Spider Infestation
Although you might have a wolf spider hiding in your home or your garden, this doesn’t necessarily mean that this is an infestation.
Once again, they are solitary creatures and will likely be on their own.
Because of this, you’re unlikely to find more than one in the same space at the same time. Here are a few preventative measures you can take:
Vacuum Your Floors
Getting rid of cobwebs and other indications of insects or small bugs is a good start.
Vacuum clean the floor and make sure that the food source for wolf spiders is eradicated before the spiders view your home as a new potential house for their use.
Getting rid of crumbs and other food residues will also limit the number of insects in your home.
Remember to get all of those areas under the furniture and in the corners, where crumbs and other potential insect food sources could be hiding away.
Just check that there aren’t any wolf spiders there first!
Seal Cracks
As we mentioned earlier, there are lots of different places in the home where these spiders can enter through and we think that sealing these locations can stop the spiders from entering your home altogether.
However, there might be a lot of different gaps and crevices that you won’t know about. It all depends on the size of your house.
Use copper mesh for bigger cracks and spaces, with expanding foam or spray being used for the smaller spaces that might be harder to block up with objects.
Just remember to be thorough and think outside of the box for different locations that could have potential entry points hidden away.
Clean Clutter And Other Forms Of Debris
Especially in the garden, getting rid of piles of leaves, compost, and firewood can be effective in making sure that wolf spiders and other similar forms of pests stay clear from your property.
On top of this, wolf spiders also thrive under large stones and rocks, as well as other forms of debris and large garden features.
Not to mention, this will make your garden look a lot cleaner and will ensure that other pests will stay away from your garden too.
What’s not to love about this method?
Keep Your Windows Closed
This one might sound stupid, but it’s one that many people forget to do from time to time.
Because of how often the sun gets a bit too hot and the lack of ventilation in a lot of homes, there’s no wonder that the windows get left open so often.
However, spiders can also enter through these areas and might be looking for a cooler environment inside your home.
Keeping your windows closed when possible will make sure that these spiders are limited to the cracks in harder-to-reach places.
If you can block these up, then the wolf spider will have a much tougher time finding a way to invade your house.
Insects will also use your windows to enter the house, which will provide food for any existing spiders already in your home.
Remove Excess Boxes
We all have some boxes somewhere in our house that have been left for far too long.
Maybe they are being used for storage of new items, or they’re being kept safe if you ever need them.
Although they might have potential use for you, you need to get rid of them to limit the number of places that wolf spiders can hide. They love dark spaces!
If these things are cluttering up your attic or your garage, then the spiders might also be hiding behind them in the dark.
Removing the boxes will force them into the open and into the light, which might coax them to move to another, more obvious spot, or even outside.
Are There Different Types Of Wolf Spiders?
With so many different types of species of spider in the world, it comes as no surprise that there are different types of spider wolf.
This form of arachnid can be found in most corners of the globe, with over 2,300 known species of spider wolf present.
Around 200 of these species live in the United States, which is a large number considering they’re everywhere.
For example, the state of South Carolina is called the Carolina Wolf Spider and is seen quite frequently throughout the area.
Of course, a lot of the wolf spider types share a lot of similar characteristics and traits, but their behavior tends to change from place to place, and climate to climate.
Lycosidae
Deriving from the Latin word for ‘wolf’, this form of spider was named after its hunting ability and tracking down its prey.
Although, just because this spider is named after a wolf, doesn’t mean it behaves like one in any way.
The size of this arachnid is anywhere from 0.4 inches to 1.4 inches in length, depending on the age and gender of the creature.
The males tend to be smaller than the females, which isn’t uncommon throughout the animal kingdom.
With short legs and a long body, they have much shorter legs than common spiders compared to the rest of their body.
The majority of wolf spiders are black or dark brown, which helps them to blend in with their surroundings and wait for their prey to walk into their vision without noticing.
However, some of these spiders often have different blemishes and patterns that can make them noticeable from other different wolf spiders.
They have excellent eyesight and are brilliant hunters during the day and at night.
Because of their speed and their instincts, they have been singled out as one of the most effective and ruthless species of spiders in the world.
However, it’s unlikely that they would ever pick a fight with a human being!
Mating And Behavior
As we explained earlier, wolf spiders will hatch their eggs and carry their young for days after they have been born.
However, they need a mating partner and will find them before continuing their lives in solidarity.
They don’t tend to have a long-term partner, with spiders often mating and leaving.
As they have very good eyesight, wolf spiders will often use their eyes for mating behavior.
The male will wave their pedipalps in a special pattern to attract the attention of the female. The pedipalps are the small legs at the front of their body.
As we mentioned, wolf spiders are fast and can have lots of prey available because of the way they hunt.
Male spiders usually live for around a year, whereas females can live for several. However, both will need a consistent food source available to thrive properly.
Conclusion
There you have it! That’s our full guide on getting rid of wolf spiders and all the facts you need to know about the creatures.
Hopefully, our guide has given you the tools and the knowledge to deal with these spiders yourself both safely and easily.
There are lots of different ways to get rid of these spiders, however, they all require a bit of initiative and some effort to complete properly.
Ultimately, your health is the main thing and you should only attempt to remove these spiders if you feel comfortable enough to do so.