The wolf spider is a very common pest in and around homes and businesses throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Wolf spiders are large, have a venomous bite, and are very prolific breeders. The presence of wolf spiders also indicates that there are other pests throughout the dwelling. Home or business owners spotting wolf spiders should contact a pest control expert.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?
Size: Up to 1.5 inches in length Color: Brown, grey, black, and sometimes orange. Some are striped,spotted, or monochromatic. Characteristics: Wolf spiders are known for their large size and hair legs. Because of this, they are often confused for brown recluses or tarantulas.
WHERE DO WOLF SPIDERS LIVE?
Wolf spiders can be found in any location that is populated with prey. They are often found inside homes and businesses, in shrubberies and gardens, or underground.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS EAT?
The wolf spider is an avid hunter, stalking its prey at night. The spiders subsist mainly on other spiders as well as insects like moths and flies. The wolf spider will also eat arthropods and small invertebrates.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WOLF SPIDERS
Damage from a wolf spider comes primarily from its bite, which can be venomous. However, wolf spiders are not aggressive and generally only bite to protect themselves.
ARE WOLF SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Wolf spiders are not aggressive toward humans. They generally scurry when faced with a light source or a larger predator. This makes them more difficult to control for the average homeowner.
DO WOLF SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Wolf spiders do not transmit any known diseases. The main problems associated with wolf spiders stems from their bites, which can include:
• Pain radiating from the site of the bite • Swelling • Itching or rash • Blistering
Since the long-legged sac spider is known to bite when provoked but with no provocation at all. It is vital to remove these spiders from the area as soon as they are detected.
HOW TO DETECT WOLF SPIDERS
The coloration and nocturnal nature of the wolf spider may make them difficult to detect at first, but the size of the creature makes them fairly apparent eventually. Unfortunately, by the time a home or business owner spots a wolf spider, the area is likely infested with the spider's prey and many spiders themselves. A female wolf spider may lay as many as 100 eggs at any one time.
HOW TO PREVENT WOLF SPIDERS
The best way to prevent wolf spiders is to rid the home of all other insects, spiders, and pests. A pest control expert is necessary to make sure the home is free from all of the wolf spider's prey.
HOW TO TREAT FOR WOLF SPIDERS
Spider treatment will involve the detection and elimination of all webs. If this is not done, the spiders are likely to re-infest the structure. Generally, it is not possible to completely eliminate spiders with do-it-yourself products. As such, successful spider eradication should be left for a pest control professional who has the tools and experience to get the job done safely and effectively.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we don't take your spider problems lightly. That's why we use a multifaceted process including the treatment of wall voids, attics, and cracks and crevices throughout the premise with gels, dusts, and other specialized products.
