Just like the people, the pests in Texas are made Texas Tough. As a result, Frisco residents sometimes see pests that are scarier and more intimidating than those found in other states. Perhaps the scariest looking pest, especially for arachnophobes, is the wolf spider.
Wolf spiders have a dangerous-sounding name, but thankfully, these creepy crawlers aren’t harmful to Texas residents. But their presence can creep out even the most spider-friendly households, so let’s discuss what these scary-looking arachnids look like and how Frisco residents can keep them out.
Wolf Spider Description
Wolf spiders are named for their stout, hairy bodies, as well as their peculiar method of preying on insects. Instead of weaving a web like most spiders, wolf spiders attack by charging after their prey: running on their spiny legs to overcome and kill other insects.
Like other arachnids, wolf spiders have eight legs and are typically black or brown in color, though some species range in color from grey to orange-brown. Other species also have cream, gray, or yellow splotches and stripes.
These arachnids are especially scary looking for a few reasons. First, they grow to anywhere between ½ an inch and 2 inches, making them some of the largest house spiders in the U.S. Second, they have distinct faces and three rows of eyes - four on the bottom, two in the middle, and two on the top. Wolf spiders have an additional two arm-like appendages growing out of their face. Finally, wolf spiders are fast – if you see one, they likely aren’t sitting still but charging from one place to another.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
Despite their scary appearance, wolf spiders are surprisingly harmless. These arachnids are docile and won’t try to attack humans. They rarely bite unless disturbed and their bites are harmless to humans, though they are occasionally painful.
Additionally, wolf spiders much prefer the outdoors than the indoors. Their hairy, camouflaged bodies hide best against rocks and soil, and they can often find an ample supply of food outside. So now you’re probably asking, why are there wolf spiders in my home?
The answer is simple: there’s probably a different insect infestation that’s drawing wolf spiders in. Remember, infestations can go unnoticed for months, even years, depending on the insect, but wolf spiders can sense when there’s food nearby and will gladly move towards the source. If you’ve spotted multiple wolf spiders in the house, it’s probably not an accident: they’re feeding on something.
Wolf Spider Prevention Tips
The moment you see a wolf spider in your house, you’ll spend all day trying to get it out. A much better use of your time is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. You can do this by:
- Sealing any cracks around your home, especially in your door frames, window sills, crawl spaces, and house foundation.
- Clearing clutter around the house, including stacks of paper, miscellaneous junk, piles of clothes, and boxes. Wolf spiders hide as much as possible, so give them as few hiding spots as you can.
- Regularly clean the spaces they like to hide in, which includes the garage, basement, cabinets, and spaces under furniture.
If these tips don’t keep wolf spiders out, then there’s one last thing you can do: clear out the infestation that’s attracting these arachnids. You may not know what’s plaguing your house, but contacting the exterminator pros at Adam’s Exterminating can ensure that your North Texas house stays pest-free.