Some of the most common pests that a San Antonio homeowner might see around the house are spiders. One such spider, native to the San Antonio area, is the wolf spider. Given that these spiders are large, hairy, and fast-moving, you might wonder how threatening they are to humans. The truth of the matter is, wolf spiders do bite, and their bites are known to be quite painful. With that being said, the bites are not life-threatening. By knowing how to identify wolf spiders, and knowing what brings them into your home in the first place, you can take the necessary steps required to make your house wolf spider-free.
How To Identify Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are large spiders that grow from ¼ of an inch to 1 3/8th of an inch in length. They have stocky bodies and eight legs that are covered in hair. They are usually dark brown in color but can be gray or tan. Wolf spiders have eight eyes that form three rows on their faces (2, 2, 4 from top to bottom).
Wolf spiders are different from other spiders in that they do not create webs to hunt for prey. Instead, they hide in holes and burrows which they have created in the ground and attack prey as it wanders by. They tend to hunt during the night and rest during the day.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
As previously stated, wolf spiders are known to produce painful bites. However, they are not threatening to humans beyond the pain their bites cause. Moreover, wolf spiders do not usually bite unless they are provoked. Therefore, refrain from handling wolf spiders if you do happen upon any in your home.
How To Prevent Wolf Spiders?
Wolf spiders will enter homes through any cracks, holes, or openings that they find. Moreover, they usually enter homes because there are other pests in the home upon which the wolf spiders can feed. Therefore, removing entry points and eliminating other pests are great ways to prevent wolf spiders from coming into your home.
To prevent wolf spiders:
- Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Seal cracks around window and door frames.
- Seal openings around pipes and vents around the exterior of your home.
- Utilize window and door screens.
- Fix holes in existing screens.
- Fix leaky pipes and fixtures so water does not attract other insects.
If you are able to accomplish these simple preventative measures, you should be able to limit your exposure to wolf spiders in your home.
What To Do If You Have Wolf Spiders Living In Your Home
If you notice wolf spiders in your home, or if you have questions about wolf spider prevention, get in contact with the pest professionals here at Romney Pest Control. Here at Romney Pest Control, we not only have the expertise and tools required to eliminate any pest infestation with which you may be dealing, but we will also take the proper steps so that you don’t get any infestations in the future.
Don’t lose your home to creepy, crawly spiders. Give Romney Pest Control a call today.
