Wolf Spiders

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Identification

  • Colour Brown, orange, black, and grey
  • Size Up to 35 mm
  • Description Wolf spiders are hairy and have eight eyes arranged in three distinct rows. The front row is made up of four small eyes, while the middle row consists of two larger eyes and the back row comprises a pair of medium-sized eyes positioned off to the sides.

How to identify Wolf Spiders

Although certain species are smaller, wolf spiders generally grow as large as 3 cm in length. Their mixed colouration of browns, oranges, blacks, and greys provides a natural camouflage that enables the predatory arachnids to hunt effectively. Wolf spiders are hairy and have eight eyes arranged in three distinct rows. The front row is made up of four small eyes, while the middle row consists of two larger eyes and the back row comprises a pair of medium-sized eyes positioned off to the sides.

Signs of an infestation

As wolf spiders are nocturnal and search for prey at night, spotting an adult spider in the dark may indicate that the arachnid lives nearby. While nesting sites and preferences vary by species, wolf spiders regularly inhabit leaf litter, grassy areas, and small burrows or tunnels. Their fondness for solitude means that people rarely have to worry about dealing with a large infestation of wolf spiders or even encountering more than one of the arachnids at a time.

Wolf Spiders Removal

While the wolf spider can help control other, more harmful pest populations in the vicinity, humans often regard the arachnid with fear and anxiety. If the presence or suspected presence of a wolf spider causes psychological distress, the best course of action is to call a pest control specialist. Equipped with the proper tools and certifications, pest control experts can handle the problem appropriately.

How to prevent Wolf Spiders from invading

Seal cracks around doors and windows, Fill crevices in the building foundations, Maintain the cleanliness of the property, Clear any debris from the yard, Seal trash bins, Repair points of moisture buildup, Replace ripped door and window screens, Trim back shrubs and trees, Replace outdoor lighting with yellow bulbs, Eliminate or control insects that attract spiders in the first place

Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle

Habitat

Wolf spiders maintain a worldwide presence and live wherever they can find a food source. Preferred habitats include grasslands, fields, beaches, gardens, meadows, and the shores of ponds and marshes.

Diet

The diet of wolf spiders closely resembles that of other arachnids. Small insects, some of which are pests, are a common food source, which makes the wolf spider an ecologically important part of the environment. In addition to insects, the eight-legged predators eat other invertebrates, small amphibians, and reptiles.

Life Cycle

For the adults of many wolf spider species, mating occurs during the autumn months. Males die shortly thereafter while females move to protected locations for overwintering. The following May or June, fertilized females produce an egg cocoon. In approximately one month, the spiderlings hatch and grow to half their full size before the onset of colder weather initiates another round of overwintering.

After shedding their skins multiple times, the spiderlings emerge fully grown the following spring and summer. Females are capable of living for several years longer while males traditionally die within a year.

Commonly Asked Questions

How worried should I be about wolf spiders?

Wolf spiders are more helpful than harmful, but they tend to instill fear and alarm in humans, especially those who suffer from arachnophobia. These pests will bite if handled or trapped next to human skin, but their venom is not potent or lethal, feeling more like a pin prick or bee sting.

If the presence or suspected presence of a wolf spider is causing you psychological distress, the best course of action is to call a professional pest control service.

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