Hairy spiders like the wolf spider bring to mind horror films, tarantulas and other horrifying critters but in reality, they are rather harmless. But we do get calls now and then from frantic New Orleans residents saying they’ve seen a rather large spider about the size of a quarter! So we thought we’d give you some information about these creepy looking pests. (Spiders are not insects, they are arachnids with eight legs and eight eyes.)
They are named as such because they were previously thought to hunt in groups, in contrast to spiders catching their prey in webs. Wolf spiders are also characterized by good vision, females carrying their egg sacs with them (most do), and eight eyes.
Ranging in length from a half inch to one inches, these guys are usually drab brown or gray in color with radiating marks on the head and thorax, providing camouflage for the specific environment. Wolf spiders are often confused with the brown recluse spider, but wolf spiders lack the violin shaped marking and they are much larger than brown recluse spiders.
Wolf Spiders are found in just about all environments in coastal and inland areas worldwide. The fall is the time of year when they are most often spotted as, like other pests, they are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. And your home is just the ticket!
Wolf spiders are not aggressive, but will bite if provoked. Their bite, however, is not usually considered dangerous to humans, but swelling, pain, and itching may result. Until around 1990 wolf spider bites were treated with antivenom but that stopped when a study showed it was unnecessary. That’s also why it is a little bit confusing to answer if this spider is venomous, or poisonous, because it really is. It is just not venomous enough to inflict serious damage to people due to its venom.
The best way to prevent wolf spiders is to seal cracks and shut doors and windows. Also make sure your home is not suitable for the insects that wolf spiders feed on like crickets, grasshoppers, earwigs, flies, and ants.
Remember, DA Exterminating solves all kinds of pest problems, so give us a call today –
800-650-PEST.