Learn all about the methods of getting rid of wolf spiders. The wolf spider is very common in the U.S. In fact, scientists have identified more than 125 species of wolf spider in the U.S. alone. Although its large size (up to 2 inches long) causes fear in many people, its bite is not truly deadly. On the other hand, the wolf spider is considered to be one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
Approximately 200 known species belong to the Family Lycosidae in the U.S. and Canada. These wolf spiders are particularly abundant in prairie areas but can be located in a variety of habitats.
Unlike most spiders, wolf spiders don’t hunt with webs. Instead, they chase their prey using their fast running ability. These spiders are often big and hairy which alarms some people, but they are primarily nuisance pests. Over 100 species of wolf spiders are found in the United States and Canada
Wolf spider bites are painful, but their venom toxicity isn’t high enough to kill a human (unless you’re allergic to the venom which is rare).
Even though most wolf spider bites aren’t serious, it’s still important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Boric acid is a natural wolf spider pesticide that kills insects that digest it by attacking their nervous systems. Boric acid is toxic to people and pets in large amounts, however, so you may want to avoid this option if you have pets or small children.
What is Wolf Spider?
Wolf spider, also called ground spider or hunting spider, any member of the spider family Lycosidae (order Araneida), a large and widespread group. They are named for the wolf like habit of chasing and pouncing upon prey. About 125 species occur in North America, about 50 in Europe. Numerous species occur north of the Arctic Circle. Most are small to medium-sized. The largest has a body about 2.5 cm (1 inch) long and legs about the same length. They have prominent eyes that shine in light. The eight eyes of the wolf spider are set in three rows of three different sizes, with two medium-sized eyes on top of its “head,” two large eyes center front, and four small eyes below those. Wolf spiders are usually gray with brown to dark gray markings or black with splotches or stripes that give it a camouflage look.
How to get rid of Wolf Spiders inside House
There are many ways to get rid of wolf spiders. Some of them are as under;
- Go through the entire house and start picking things up and getting rid of things you don’t need. The more stuff lying around, the more spots for wolf spiders to hide under. Remove piles of laundry, magazines, newspapers, boxes, etc. Keep the dishes clean. Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly. By not leaving messes and little bits of food around, you help yourself to avoid luring in other critters that wolf spiders like to eat.
- Spider traps are nothing more than little bits of card paper with some super sticky wolf spider catching goo smeared on them. They work great for catching spiders and anything else that happens to wander across them. Place them along floorboards and out of the reach of pets and kids.
- Cats are notorious critter chasers, from mice to insects to spiders. If your family is in the market for a pet anyway, you can’t go wrong with a curious and adventurous cat that might stalk wolf spiders for fun. This is a natural way of controlling pests in your home, and provides the cat with entertainment too.
What attracts Wolf Spiders in the House?
Wolf spiders are attracted by many things. In the home, the wolf spider is most likely to be found around doors, windows and house plants, and in basements and garages. When outside, they dig or move into burrows or leaf litter. Dark places attract wolf spiders, which hide in these areas during the day and low vegetation is among the wolf spider’s favorite hiding spots.
Best Pesticide for Wolf Spiders
Look for pesticides containing one or more of these active ingredients: deltamethrin, pyrethrin (565 Plus XLO), cypermethrin (CB Air Devil HPX, Cynoff EC, Cynoff WP, Demon WP), lambda-cyhalothrin (Demand CS), or bifenthrin (Talstar P). Just make certain to read all directions, safety precautions, and application instructions before use. Some of these are for direct spraying, some are residual, some are for use indoors, some only for outdoors, and some are even good for both.
How to get rid of Wolf Spiders Smell
Wolf spiders smell probably as a result of their diet and sometimes due to the eggs on the females back. As when they are removed or killed by pesticides their smell also goes away by cleaning the area twice or thrice.
