WOLF SPIDER CONTROL LANGHORNE PA
Most people find that their encounters with wolf spiders in Langhorne are distinctly unpleasant. This is mainly attributable to the spider's appearance. Large and covered in hair, the wolf spider may look threatening, but it is not truly dangerous.
Still, these arachnids have a tendency to lurk in places that are dark, dusty, cluttered and infrequently visited. When people enter storage rooms, garages and other similar places, they are likely to run across a wolf spider. The spider is probably just as or even more startled than the person. This is the most common reason why wolf spider bites occur.
When wolf spiders are not inadvertently frightening people, they actually are a helpful species because of their eating habits. Specifically, these arachnids survive on a diet of insects and other spiders that most people consider bothersome pests. This means that wolf spiders actually provide a useful service to people.
Still, these creatures do not belong in residences or commercial buildings. It is preferable for them to remain outdoors where they can more easily obtain the food they need. If wolf spiders and their prey are present in indoor spaces in fairly large numbers, this suggests that the building is not pest proof. Finding ways to keep pests out is essential to protecting the integrity of the structure and the health of its human occupants.
This is just one of the services that is performed by a pest management professional. By blocking pest access points and applying specialized products, it is possible to keep wolf spiders outdoors where they belong.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?
As an arachnid, the wolf spider has eight legs. It also has eight eyes, which make it an especially adept hunter in low-light conditions. The females are the larger of the genders, reaching lengths of three-eighths of an inch to one-and-three-eighths inches. The typical male will be between one-quarter and three-quarters of an inch. Regardless of gender, these spiders are covered in black, gray or brown fur. Each spider has two main body parts that are called the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The legs are long and spiny while the body is stout. Additionally, wolf spiders have mouthparts that closely resemble fangs, making them ideal hunters.
WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS EAT?
Unlike spiders that spin webs and await prey that flies or walks by, the wolf spider is a hunter. Members of the species lurk in dark, secluded spaces, then leap out when they see a likely prey item. Some of their most frequent food items include earwigs, flies, ants, crickets and grasshoppers. With incredibly fast reflexes and powerful vision, the wolf spider is a highly skilled hunter.
WHERE DO WOLF SPIDERS LIVE?
Wolf spiders in Langhorne may be found in numerous settings. If they are living outdoors, then they probably will be found in forests, grasslands, pastures and fields. Suburban backyards offer plenty of promising habitat, and these arachnids frequently are spotted wherever there is thick vegetation around lakes and streams. When one of these spiders needs to rest, they may dig into an underground burrow for this purpose.
Wolf spiders frequently decide to live indoors, especially when the colder weather arrives in the fall. They will remain in any place where insects are present. Accordingly, any building that is not sealed up against pest infestations is likely to host wolf spiders and many other arachnids and insects. Sheds, basements, crawl spaces, attics, storage rooms and other places that are cluttered are where most wolf spiders are found.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WOLF SPIDERS
Rather than actually causing damage, the wolf spider is attracted to indoor spaces that are neglected. Any room that is dusty, dark and cluttered is particularly vulnerable to an infestation. Reducing clutter, frequently cleaning up in storage rooms and regularly dusting and vacuuming the building's interior can help to prevent pest infestations of all descriptions.
ARE WOLF SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
With their skillful hunting abilities and sharp fangs, the wolf spider is an aggressive hunter, but it only rarely bites people. Such attacks tend to happen when people reach into a storage box or accidentally put a foot where a spider is hiding, such as a shoe or a boot.
Most people have only a mild reaction to a bite from a wolf spider that subsides within a matter of hours or a day or two.
DO WOLF SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Though wolf spiders do bite, they do not spread diseases to people. Ordinary reactions to wolf spider bites include redness, swelling, itching and pain. Some people who have suffered a wolf spider bite say that it is similar to being stung by a wasp.
A baking soda compress or a cube of ice can be used to minimize the reaction to the bite. Healthcare professionals sometimes recommend applying a wet, cold towel to the area to prevent the spread of venom and to control any attendant pain and swelling. Occasionally, complications will arise from the bite, and these may be ameliorated with an antihistamine that is available over the counter.
Rare individuals may experience a more severe reaction to a wolf spider bite. A fever and other symptoms may require a doctor's care.
HOW TO DETECT WOLF SPIDERS
Signs of a wolf spider infestation include:
• An existing pest problem has been identified on the property
• The building has rooms that are cluttered, dusty, dark and seldom used
• People report seeing large, hairy spiders indoors
HOW TO PREVENT WOLF SPIDERS
To help prevent wolf spider issues the following steps should be taken:
• Ensure that plants are trees are trimmed
• Keep woodpiles and yard debris piles a minimum of 20 feet away from structures
• Get rid of items that are causing indoor and outdoor spaces to be cluttered
• Block holes in the building's exterior that are allowing pests to come inside
• Make certain that all exterior doors are equipped with sweeps
• Dust and vacuum in all storage areas
• Keep all boxes and cartons in storage areas completely sealed
• Make a habit of cleaning up and reorganizing storage areas a few times a year
• Place screens on all doors and windows
• Correct any standing water issues and fix plumbing and irrigation leaks
• Hire a pest control company to perform regular treatments to eliminate wolf spider food sources
HOW TO TREAT FOR SPIDERS
Spider treatment involves 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.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
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