Wolf Spiders In Missouri: The lone wolf of the spider world
What Missouri predator is an excellent hunter, a wonderful mother, and yet so misunderstood? The wolf spider stalks its prey at night, running down other insects and spiders for their next meal.
Wolf spiders don’t spin webs to catch their prey but instead rely on their speed and night vision. Some will chase down an arthropod, while others might sit and wait until they can ambush an unsuspecting passerby.
They typically live alone for their entire life, living in burrows, under rocks or logs, or sometimes just wandering around from place to place. They really are a lone wolf when it comes to being social. However, despite their solitary lifestyle, they often get into homes and can cause us homeowners a bit of shock when we see them.
They are often confused for brown recluses or small tarantulas. Fortunately, these spiders aren’t much of a threat and are more beneficial than harmful.
Let’s learn more about how to identify these spiders and how to keep them out of your home.
Identification of Wolf Spiders
Identification
Wolf spiders are usually brown, grey, or tan with darker brown or black markings, often resembling a camouflage pattern. They have robust, hairy bodies and long legs that give them a fast, agile appearance.
One distinctive feature of wolf spiders is how their eyes are arranged. They have eight eyes in total, but the middle two are larger than the others. They have four smaller eyes arranged in a straight line below and two more eyes on the top of their head. This unique eye arrangement, combined with their excellent night vision, makes them top-notch nocturnal hunters.
Life Cycle
Female wolf spiders will lay their eggs in the summer, but she doesn’t abandon them like other arthropods. She will carry her egg sack underneath her and will continue to play piggyback with her spiderlings even after they hatch. They can stay with her for up to two weeks until they are ready to find food on their own. It’s a rare thing for a female spider to invest so much in parental care, and researchers continue learning about his unique behavior.
Wolf spiders go through several molts as they grow, shedding their exoskeletons to make more room as they grow. They reach maturity in about a year and can live up to three years, depending on where they are living.
Preventing Wolf Spiders in Your Home
No matter how good of a mother wolf spiders are, we still don’t want them in our home! Typically, they will stick to the outdoors, but they might sneak inside in search of food or shelter in the winter. To prevent them from becoming uninvited house guests, here are some steps you can take:
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Ensure all windows, doors, and other entry points are sealed. Even small gaps can be an invitation for a wandering wolf spider.
Keep Your Home Clean: Regularly vacuum and dust to eliminate other insects, which are a primary food source for wolf spiders. Reducing clutter also reduces hiding spots.
Remove Outdoor Debris: Piles of leaves, wood, and rocks near your home can serve as perfect hiding spots for wolf spiders. Keep these areas clean to discourage spiders from settling close to your house.
Use Outdoor Lighting Strategically: Outdoor lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. Consider using yellow or sodium vapor lights that are less attractive to insects.
Control Methods for Wolf Spiders
If you regularly see wolf spiders in your home, you might want to take action to control the ones inside. You can either vacuum up or manually remove spiders on sight, or you can strategically place sticky traps along baseboards or under furniture to catch a spider on the run.
For larger infestations or if you prefer peace of mind, hiring a professional pest control service like Pest Pro Solutions ensures that your home remains spider-free.
FAQs
How can I tell a wolf spider apart from a brown recluse?
Wolf spiders have a distinct eye arrangement with two large eyes in the middle, while brown recluses have six eyes arranged in pairs. Additionally, wolf spiders are generally bigger and hairy, while brown recluses have a smoother appearance with a violin-shaped marking on their back.
What should I do if I find a wolf spider in my home?
The best course of action is to safely capture and release the spider outside. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, you can use a vacuum to remove it. For ongoing issues, consider contacting a pest control professional.
Are wolf spiders dangerous?
Wolf spiders aren’t dangerous to people. While they can bite if provoked, their bites are generally harmless and much less venomous than those of other spiders like the brown recluse.
Why Choose Pest Pro Solutions for Spider Control
Calling a professional pest control company can sometimes feel a little unnerving. At Pest Pro Solutions, we make pest control easy and convenient for you. Our professional team of experts has the knowledge and skills to keep wolf spiders away from your home.
Whether you need an inspection, monitoring, or effective treatments, you’re just a call away from getting a pest-free home.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation!
