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Family
Lycosidae
Characteristics –
Size: Wolf spiders come in many sizes with a body size
ranging from 1/4-inch to more than one and a half inches in length.
The largest species may have a leg measuring up to three inches or
more leading many homeowners to mistake them for tarantulas.
Color: Most wolf spiders are brown although some may
appear black.
These spiders are usually quite hairy.
Behavior –
Wolf spiders are active hunters which search for prey during the day
or night, depending on the species. These common spiders may live in
significant numbers around homes and other buildings, especially
those structures which have lush landscaping. Wolf spiders enter
underneath doors or through cracks in the exterior walls. Wolf
spiders are unique in that they carry their egg sacs from the tip of
their abdomens attached to the spinnerets. The young spider lings
also ride on the mother’s back for a few days after hatching.
Bites involving wolf spiders are rare and are not dangerous.
Habitat – Outdoors, wolf spiders occupy a wide
variety of habitats, usually at ground level. They will be common in
heavy ground covers, such as ivy or monkey grass, and can be found
beneath stones and other items, as well as within cracks between
landscape timbers. They do not breed in homes, and usually only one
to a few will be seen inside.
Tips for Control – The best approach for
controlling wolf spiders is through placement of sticky traps to
capture the few spiders that may have entered. Maintaining sticky
traps behind furniture, to either side of exterior doors, and in the
garage is an excellent way to intercept most spiders as they enter.
Steps that should be taken to prevent new spiders from entering,
include:
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Removing or limiting heavy, ground-covering vegetation near
the building.
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Sealing cracks and holes in the building's exterior.
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Installing tight-fitting screens on all attic and foundation
vents.
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Sealing holes around pipes indoors to prevent spiders from
entering the living spaces by following plumbing lines in
basements and crawl spaces.
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Where wolf spider invasions are persistent, a professional should be
consulted to conduct a thorough inspection and recommend possible
treatments.
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