What You Ought To Know About Wolf Spiders In Houston
Nobody wants spiders lurking around their Houston home, especially not the large and scary-looking wolf spiders common to the Houston area. Fortunately, wolf spiders aren't nearly as dangerous as they appear, but you still don't want them hanging around. A wolf spider infestation that's left unchecked can cause you, your family, and guests some serious anxiety.
If you find a few wolf Spiders in your home, calling a professional should be your next step, but we've put together this handy guide to help you recognize and reduce the presence of wolf spiders in the meantime.
What Wolf Spiders Look Like
Wolf spiders can get up to a whopping two inches in length, but adult males are usually around a quarter of an inch. They're typically dark brown and hairy with a few pale stripes on their bodies.
Adult wolf spiders have long legs to help them move quickly and ambush their prey. These long legs are important because wolf spiders don't spin webs to capture their prey; they rely on speed and their superior eyesight for all their meals.
Where You'll Find Wolf Spiders
When wolf spiders enter your home, they typically like to hang out around doors, windows, in houseplants, and garages. Outdoors, they prefer tall shrubs, dense grass, underneath rocks, and woodpiles.
Unlike most spiders, these critters like to stay as close to the ground as possible, and some species will even burrow underground to avoid predators.
Are Wolf Spiders Poisonous
Wolf spiders are indeed poisonous, but their poison has a very mild effect on people. These hairy pests will typically flee at the sight of humans, but if they're trapped or feel immediately threatened, they will bite out of self-defense. Their bite generally is pretty harmless and may result in minor itching or swelling.
How To Prevent Wolf Spiders From Entering Your Home
Like most small insects, wolf spiders enter your home through small cracks and openings in your home's exterior. Here are a few ways to discourage them from entering, and a few things you can do to make them feel unwelcome if they're already inside:
Block possible entry points: Use weather stripping, caulk, or any other available options to seal up small openings in the exterior of your home.
Keep your grass and bushes cut: Wolf spiders love to hide in tall grass and shrubs. If possible, keep your grass and bushes trimmed to make your yard a little less spider-friendly.
Disrupt them: Wolf spiders love a nice quiet resting place. By vacuuming, sweeping, or dusting secluded areas, you'll make sure they don't get too comfortable.
Eliminate possible hiding places: By covering old boxes and getting rid of clutter, you'll reduce the number of potential hiding spots for these buggers to call home.
How Modern Pest Control Can Help
Even if these eight-legged visitors aren't very dangerous, an unchecked infestation can cause you some serious anxiety. The fact they don't leave behind webs and are super agile makes them very difficult for the untrained eye to spot; this is where Modern Pest Control's years of knowledge and experience comes in handy.
Our Signature monthly service will not only eliminate any existing wolf spiders, it'll prevent the possibility of an infestation in the future. We use the industry's most safe and efficient tools to let wolf spiders and any other pests know that they're not welcome in your house.
Schedule your free inspection online today or contact us at (281) 214-8066 for any pest-related questions.