The wolf spider is the largest spider species found in Colorado homes and business buildings. These rather large and scary arachnids often get mistaken for tarantulas, nursery webs, fishing and brown recluse spiders. Effective Pest Services will help identify the wolf spider which can be difficult at times. However understanding their behaviors and distinct features will help homeowners and business owners know what type of spider specie has moved in and how to properly deal with these types of spider species.
How Do You Tell if it is a Wolf Spider?
The wolf spider is a hairy arachnid. They come in colors from the very black, to gray and brownish hues with lighter patterns or markings on their head and body. A wolf spider can grow over an inch in length. They move quickly and have a rather robust body shape. Most spiders break down into two segments; the head, abdomen and have the usual eight legs, fangs or chelicerae. Where the wolf spider has these features they also have shorter legs then other web building spiders. Wolf spiders are bolder than the other spider species. You might mistake them for the brown recluse However, where these other arachnids tend to hide in dark places most of their lives, the wolf spider will move around in search for better places in which to find food. They can move very quickly if they feel threatened.
Where Do Wolf Spiders Live?
The wolf spider will often make their homes in gardens and lawns near homes and other buildings that draw in prey for them to feed on. Wolf spiders tend to prefer the outdoors. However automatic sprinkler systems or even heavy rains will sometimes force them to look inward to warm and safer places to live. That is why wolf spiders often find their way inside homes and other buildings. At the beginning of fall and throughout the winter season is when homeowners may find the wolf spider throughout their homes, garages, and other interior buildings on the property.
Can Wolf Spiders Hurt You?
As big and scary as the wolf spider may be, they are relatively harmless. Their bite might hurt but it doesn’t require any medical attention unless there is an allergic reaction occurs. Such is rare but if it happens, it can pose a treat. If bitten watch for signs of major swelling, itching of more than the affected areas and any other signs of an allergic reaction that may require medical attention.
What Attracts Wolf Spiders?
The wolf spider is bold enough to walk around in plain sight but they normally do not bother anything larger than itself. Most wolf spiders get carried into a home or building by pets or people. They also gain entrance to buildings and homes through doorways and cracks of windows. Of course your main clue that there is a wolf spider intrusion is frequent sightings. After routine pest control, your best defense against the wolf spider is to properly seal doorways and windows. You can even cover outdoor vents with fine metal mesh wire to provide good circulation yet keep the pests out.
Spider Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal & More in Wellington, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Johnstown, Berthoud, Estes Park & Loveland, CO | Northern Colorado
Any spider or pest is unwelcome in our homes and businesses. For more ease, comfort and proper sanitation you will want to make sure you have a good pest control management program. Effective Pest Services can help protect your home and business from pests. Contact us today.
