WOLF SPIDER CONTROL FEASTERVILLE PA
When people talk about wolf spiders in Feasterville, they may be referring to any one of thousands of different arachnid species. Still, only a few of these species are found locally.
Most of them do not spin webs. In fact, they are hunters that are gifted with incredibly fast speed. This is one of the reasons why they are such a successful species. It is also why people may not always see wolf spiders even when they are present.
Wolf spiders are most likely to be found on the ground where they can make the best use of their speed for catching a meal. Frequently, members of these species are discovered living in residential and commercial buildings. Living indoors can be an attractive option as it affords greater protection from the elements. It also is true that many buildings are not as sealed up against pest infestations as they could be. This makes indoor living doubly attractive to wolf spiders.
Accordingly, when people go into rooms that are cluttered, dark and dusty, chances are good that wolf spiders are already in residence. This means that it is wise to exercise care when moving through these places or reaching into storage containers. It is likely that a wolf spider is lurking there, and they will bite if they are disturbed.
Wolf spiders are not necessarily a dangerous species. Thanks to their voracious appetites for other pests, they actually keep insect populations under control. Nonetheless, it is not advisable to allow a population of wolf spiders to remain indoors. Their presence may be a sign that other, less innocuous, pests are infesting the building as well.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?
In Pennsylvania, the majority of wolf spiders are of either the hogna carolinensis or the tigrosa aspersa families, though other species also may be encountered. Females of the hogna carolinensis family may grow to lengths of 35 millimeters with males only attaining lengths of 20 millimeters. Characterized by dark brown carapaces that feature a scattering of gray hair, these spiders have solid-colored legs and an abdomen that has a dark dorsal stripe.
The slightly smaller tigrosa aspersa female may only grow to 25 millimeters long with the male reaching approximately 18 millimeters. Their body color is similar to that of the other species, but it may be possible to see some yellow hairs close to the eyes on the carapace. Instead of solid-colored legs, their legs have lighter brown bands at the joints. Typically, the males are a lighter color than the females, and the leg bands only appear on the third and fourth pairs.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS EAT?
Considered carnivorous insectivores, wolf spiders feed on ants, grasshoppers and a variety of other insects and arachnids. They also consume insect eggs, further assisting with control of pest populations.
Members of the species excel at chasing down and pouncing on prey. Next, they mash the prey into a ball or inject it with venom. The venom liquefies the insect's organs to make them easier for the wolf spider to consume.
WHERE DO WOLF SPIDERS LIVE?
It is possible to find species of wolf spiders in a wide assortment of environments across the globe. Some are only found in certain caves in Hawaii while others live on the rocky, desolate tops of mountains. Wolf spiders may be found in deserts as well as rainforests.
Of course, wolf spiders in Feasterville have much less exotic locations to inhabit. Surviving is easier here thanks to a relatively mild climate and plenty of choices for shelter and food. The most common local species like to live in underground burrows that they build in soil. Frequently, they will make use of boards or stones that are lying on the ground to provide them with greater protection. These spiders may be found behind siding or within a pile of firewood.
Similarly sheltered places are sought when these spiders come indoors. They like dark, quiet spots that have plenty of clutter in which they can conceal themselves during the day. At night, they emerge to hunt.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WOLF SPIDERS
Both buildings and the items that they contain are relatively safe from wolf spiders. Also, because they do not spin webs, the do not leave messy cob webs behind. This means that wolf spiders generally are not considered to be major pests. However, they may be feeding on insects that are.
ARE WOLF SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Wolf spiders really only exhibit aggression when they believe they are under threat. If people leave these arachnids alone, the spiders will return the favor. Nonetheless, bites do occur, usually when people reach into a storage box or put on a jacket that has not been worn in a long time.
DO WOLF SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Generally, wolf spiders represent no threat to the human race. They are not poisonous, but some people may discover that they are allergic to the venom that the spider transmits with its bite. Bites from this spider most often result in itchiness, swelling and mild pain in the immediate vicinity of the bite. The pain may subside in only minutes, though the other symptoms may persist for a few days.
People who are bitten by a wolf spider and then experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, cramping, rash, sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, fever or weakness may be experiencing an allergic reaction that requires the intervention of a doctor.
HOW TO DETECT WOLF SPIDERS
Signs of a wolf spider infestation include:
• Visual sightings
• People reporting painful spider bites
HOW TO PREVENT WOLF SPIDERS
To help prevent wolf spider issues the following steps should be taken:
• Block gaps beneath doors
• Check clothing for wolf spiders before going indoors
• Inspect items that are going into storage for the presence of spiders
• Seal up cracks and openings in the building's exterior
• Place yard debris piles and woodpiles at least 20 feet from structures
• Keep lawns and foliage trimmed
• Routinely check indoor plants for signs of spider presence
• Hire a pest control company to eliminate possible food sources
• Routinely sweep, vacuum and dust in storage areas
• Get rid of clutter like piles of clothing, old boxes and newspapers
• Opt to store items in air-tight plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes
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