They’re big, hairy, and move at lightning speed. If you’ve ever seen a wolf spider on your property, you know that these pests can be intimidating. These spiders are powerful hunters equipped with sharp fangs and potent venom but are wolf spiders in Tukwila dangerous? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Wolf Spiders?
There are more than 200 species of wolf spiders found in the United States. So, the name “wolf spider” doesn’t refer to one particular species, but all of the species in the family Lycosidae. Wolf spiders are relatively large in size for North American spiders and range between 1/2 inch up to 3 inches in length. They can be recognized by their hairy bodies and are generally gray or brown in color with lighter-colored patterning.
But more than their appearance, wolf spiders are remarkable for their behavior. Most spiders use their webs as traps to catch unsuspecting prey. Wolf spiders, on the other hand, don’t use webs to hunt, and instead, stalk their prey on foot. Using their sharp eyesight and extreme speed, they feed on bugs like crickets, ants, and flies.
Typically, wolf spiders reside in shallow burrows and hunt in the territory surrounding their home, which is why they are so often sighted compared to other spiders. Some wolf spiders produce silk but only use their webs for rest and shelter, not hunting.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
Wolf spiders have a scarier look than other common household spiders thanks to their size and thick hairy bodies. Even worse, they run around in plain sight while other common spiders prefer to hide out where you can’t see. But despite their frightening appearance and brazen behavior, wolf spiders aren’t especially dangerous to people or pets.
Wolf spiders are capable of delivering a painful bite if provoked but prefer to run and hide when confronted. Generally, the only way to get bitten by a wolf spider is to pick one up and handle it. They aren’t likely to attack the way territorial fire ants or wasps might.
Why Do Wolf Spiders Come In The House?
Like actual wolves, wolf spiders are wild at heart and usually prefer the great outdoors to domestic life. Outside, they reside under stones or in organic debris like leaves and woodpiles. Wolf spiders often wander indoors accidentally in search of prey or a mate.
If you have cracks in your foundation or have faulty door sweeps or weather stripping, you are more likely to have a visit from a wolf spider. Wolf spiders are suited to outdoor life, but once they are inside, they usually don’t leave. They are more likely to come indoors in search of shelter during the cold winter months.
Wolf spiders can be found hunting at ground level along with your floors. While house spiders weave multiple webs in the high corners of your property, wolf spiders give no evidence of their presence other than themselves. You can often spot wolf spiders behind or beneath furniture, in closets, or hiding in the clutter on the floor. They are also commonly spotted near doors, windows, and other entrances.
If you’ve got wolf spiders hunting in your home or business, get control of the problem with help from Alta Pest Control. Our family-owned and -operated company is dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible and we offer both residential pest control plans and commercial pest control plans customized to your unique needs. All of our services come guaranteed, so if we don’t get rid of your wolf spider problem the first time, we’ll come back again until the job is finished. For relief from wolf spiders and other common pests in Tukwila, get in touch with us today.
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