Wolf spiders are large spiders that can be found in and around homes in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. They are often mistaken for tarantulas because of their alarming appearance, speed, and size. If you have Wolf spiders living on your property, they could wander into your home in search of small insects to eat. Female wolf spiders are 3/8 – 1 3/8“ and males are 1/4 – 3/4“ and they can be a combination of varying shades of brown and black to help them camouflage. Wolf spiders, called lycosids, have 8 legs and 8 eyes separated into two rows. Their multitude of eyes provides them with keen night vision for nocturnal activity. Their size and speed are what is scary or upsetting to some people. Luckily, Cooper Pest Solutions can help ease your fears. In this blog post, we will cover residential wolf spider infestations and what you can do to prevent wolf spiders.
Photo Credit: National Pest Management Association
How can I tell if I have wolf spiders?
Wolf spiders are primarily hunters such as wolves, which is where they get their name. They are most notorious for emerging at night to actively hunt for small insects or even other spiders. Wolf spiders have 8 strong legs that can propel them to move fast and accurately, and for this reason, they do not create webs. There is no need to lure in prey when they can attack and hunt on their own.
Because they are master hunters, wolf spiders will hide in places such as under chairs and tables when in the home. If they wander indoors, they are likely to remain indoors due to the lack of competition and potential abundance of nutrients. You will know that you have wolf spiders in your home when you physically see them. The fact that they are very large and move quickly make them easily visible and sometimes scary.
Are wolf spiders poisonous?
Wolf spiders prey upon small insects and have no interest in humans. They will not seek out interactions or attack you unless directly handled. If have been bitten by a wolf spider, there is no immediate cause for concern. Most people bitten by wolf spiders liken the pain to that of a bee sting. The skin around the bite will show redness and swelling. Although they are technically considered to be venomous, their venom is intended for prey, not humans. Therefore their venom is not lethal and will not cause negative health effects. If you are someone who is allergic to spider bites in general, wolf spider bites can cause a trigger of these reactions.
Why do I have wolf spiders in my house?
Wolf spiders that are found indoors have likely wandered in by mistake. They prefer to live outdoors in places that they can hide until they become active at night. Common places to find wolf spiders around your home include on or under firewood piles, and stones, and on the ground floor of homes frequently hiding under furniture and other covered areas. Some even create tunnels in the ground or take over empty tunnels created by other animals as a place for their retreat. Other wolf spiders do not live in tunnels but instead wander around.
If you find a wolf spider in your home, it is likely that they found their way inside through an entry point in search of prey. At night, wolf spiders actively hunt for insects and other small spiders, some of which can be found in your basement or garage.
How can I get rid of wolf spiders?
Female Wolf Spider Carrying Young Photo Credit: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Wolf spiders do not create webs. They hunt on the ground, so they typically enter homes at the ground level instead of crawling upwards above the first story. This why we recommend patching torn basement window screens, calking areas around exposed piping, and sealing openings and cracks around doors.
If you see a wolf spider, use a glue board to catch it. If you crush a female wolf spider, eggs can be latched onto their body and could fall off, leaving them to possibly hatch in your home. Glue boards can be purchased in big box retailers and online.
If you are looking for professional pest control services, Cooper Pest Solutions can provide effective wolf spider removal in NJ and PA.
How much does wolf spider pest control cost?
In order to provide accurate pricing for wolf spider control, the scope of the problem as well as the size of your home will be taken into consideration when you speak to a representative. Cooper provides custom plans to meet your specific needs regarding the wolf spider activity in your home.
Where can I find wolf spider pest control near me?
If you are looking for a wolf spider exterminator in NJ, Cooper Pest Solutions can control and eliminate the wolf spiders in your home with our programs. Control and elimination followed by prevention is the most effective way to ensure that wolf spiders will be removed and not return. All of our services come with a 100% guarantee.
One-Time Spider Control Program
If you are currently experiencing a wolf spider problem in your home, our One-Time Spider Control Program can control and eliminate the wolf spider activity. One of our state-certified technicians will visit your home and treat the spiders indoors. This service provides coverage for 90 days. If you see additional wolf spiders within the 90 day period, one quick call to our customer service department will result in fast technician dispatch to remediate the problem. The One-Time Spider Control Program does not provide any coverage or preventative maintenance after the 90 day period.
The Home Traditional Plan is a quarterly maintenance plan that provides coverage year round for over 20 common household pests including wolf spiders. If you are seeing wolf spiders at any time, one call to our main office is all you need to schedule an inspection for service. Unlimited service calls are available in between the quarterly visits for all covered pests if any problems arise.
The Home Intensive Plan also provides coverage for wolf spiders. This plan includes four preventive services per year. Each service is unique and will be accompanied by a detailed 30-point inspection report with detailed findings as well as providing you with important recommendations for your home. Each year you will receive three exterior maintenance services (March – November) and one interior service (December – February). The winter service will focus on the interior of the structure and is geared towards rodents and other pests that may live within the structure. Unlimited service calls are available in between the quarterly visits for all covered pests if any problems arise.
For fast service, call Cooper at 1-800-949-2667 for a Free No-obligation inspection at your home or fill out the form on our website.
