www.familyhandyman.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6812:c96b  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

POST https://www.familyhandyman.com/newsletter/?posturl=https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/homeowners-guide-to-wolf-spiders

<form action="https://www.familyhandyman.com/newsletter/?posturl=https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/homeowners-guide-to-wolf-spiders" method="post" data-name="newslettersignup" data-module="newslettersignup" data-position="footer">
  <label class="hidden" for="email-footer">Enter email address</label>
  <input type="text" id="email-footer" name="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Add email address">
  <button type="submit" id="subscribe-footer">Sign Up</button>
</form>

GET https://www.familyhandyman.com

<form class="pure-form" id="hamburger-searchform" role="search" method="get" action="https://www.familyhandyman.com">
  <div class="hamburger-search-form-wrapper">
    <label class="hidden" for="s"> Search terms </label>
    <input class="hamburger-searchbar" type="text" value="" name="s" id="s" placeholder="Search">
    <input type="submit" class="hamburger-searchsubmit search-button" aria-label="Search">
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Share
Save Saved
Share on Facebook
Save on Pinterest
Tweet this
Email
Next
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Skip to main content
Sign Up for Newsletters
Subscribe Now
Give a Gift


SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

1 Year for Only $10!

Give a gift SUBSCRIBE

Sign Up For Newsletters
Subscribe
Subscribe

1 Year for Only $10!


Give a gift




Sign Up for Newsletter
0
Gold Aluminum Coastal Abstract Sculpture
from $58
Gold, 9 X 10 X 10
-+
Description

Bring fun, abstract contemporary style to your shelves or tabletops with this
golden ceramic balloon figurine. Crafted from aluminum, this decorative table
decor has a bubbling balloon shape creating an abstract form with a smooth,
metallic gold finish. The seven arms allow for numerous display options, as this
abstract art sculpture is appealing from angle, leaving the design up to the
viewer. This item is shipped in one carton. Suitable for indoor use only.
Crafted in India. Coastal design.
ADD TO CART
CANCEL
Shopping Bag

Your Cart is Empty
Total$0
Shipping calculated at checkout
CONTINUE SHOPPING
CHECKOUT
By continuing, you agree to Shoppable’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Powered by
Instant Checkout






 * Pro
   
   
 * New Homeowners
   
   
 * Greenhouses
   
   
 * Projects
   
   
 * DIY Labor Day Deals
   
   

ADVERTISEMENT

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Home Pest Control Spiders


HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO WOLF SPIDERS


Ally ChildressUpdated: Aug. 18, 2022
YURI KADOBNOV/Getty Images


WOLF SPIDERS CAN GIVE QUITE A FRIGHT TO HOMEOWNERS ACROSS THE U.S., BUT ARE THEY
FRIEND OR FOE? READ ON FOR THE ANSWER.

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

You know the feeling. You’re sweeping your basement or cleaning your garage and
a big spider scurries out from under your broom. What is it? Do you need to do
anything except jump and maybe give a little shriek?

If it’s a wolf spider, there’s no reason for concern. That’s according to
Michael Thome, an associate certified entomologist with Western Exterminator.

“They’re scary looking, but they really won’t bother you unless you bother
them,” he says.

How do you know if you saw a wolf spider and not something else?

On This Page

 * What Are Wolf Spiders?
 * What Do Wolf Spiders Look Like?
 * What Do Wolf Spiders Eat?
 * Do Wolf Spiders Bite?
 * Where Do Wolf Spiders Live?
 * Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous or Beneficial?
 * How To Get Rid of Wolf Spiders
 * How To Prevent Wolf Spiders


WHAT ARE WOLF SPIDERS?

Wolf spiders are generally large and fast creatures that ambush and chase down
their prey rather than build a web to catch them. They belong to a family of
spiders called Lycosidae; Lycos means “wolf” in Greek. More than 2,400 species
of wolf spiders have been identified.

They got their name because, like wolves, they’re fast, agile hunters. But
unlike wolves, Thome says, wolf spiders are solitary and do not hunt in packs.



Wolf spiders are also highly maternal. Female wolf spiders attach their egg sac
to their abdomen and carry it around during incubation. Once the hatched
“spiderlings” emerge, they climb up onto the mother’s back for several days
until they’re old enough to hunt on their own.

And we’re not talking just a few baby spiders. Thome says one mother could care
for more than a hundred spiderlings this way. She may even carry an abandoned
wolf spider’s egg sac and treat it like her own.


WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?

Wolf spiders are usually brown, black or gray with black or brown stripes.
Depending on the habitat, they also can be orange or tan. They’re also hairy,
leading some people to confuse them with tarantulas.



They’re not as big as tarantulas, though. Most wolf spiders measure a
quarter-inch to just over one inch long, not including the legs. The largest
wolf spider in the U.S. is the Carolina wolf spider, Hogna carolinensis, which
despite its name can be found all over the country.

Wolf spiders have excellent eyesight, which is why they’re such good hunters.
They have three rows of eyes — four small eyes on the bottom row, two giant eyes
in the middle, and two medium-sized ones on the top and a little to the side.

The brown recluse is also often confused with the wolf spider, but each has
distinct characteristics. The brown recluse, or “fiddleback,” can have a
violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax (the front part of the body). But brown
recluses are more easily distinguished from wolf spiders by the number of eyes.
They have six instead of eight.




WHAT DO WOLF SPIDERS EAT?

Wolf spiders mainly eat ground-dwelling insects and other spiders. They tend to
hunt at night, either leaving their burrow or hiding place and stalking their
prey or lying in wait and pouncing when an unsuspecting insect walks by. Some
wolf spiders can take on insects larger than they are, and even small
amphibians.


DO WOLF SPIDERS BITE?

Yes, but only if threatened or trapped against the skin. Wolf spider venom isn’t
poisonous to humans. The bite can be painful, but Thome says “no serious medical
concerns arise from their bite.”

Luckily, wolf spiders prefer a solitary existence and aren’t aggressive toward
humans.


WHERE DO WOLF SPIDERS LIVE?

Wolf spiders are found worldwide. They like grassy areas like meadows and
fields, but with so many species in so many places, their habitat can vary.
There’s even an eyeless species that lives in caves in Hawaii. They’ll live
where they can find a consistent food source.



You may see wolf spider burrows in your yard, or while walking through a grassy
field. Look for a spider-sized hole in the ground at the entrance. Other species
live above ground their entire lives. Sheds, woodpiles and piles of leaves can
also provide attractive habitat for wolf spiders.

Wolf spiders prefer to be outside, Thome says, even if you see them occasionally
in your basement or crawl space.


ARE WOLF SPIDERS DANGEROUS OR BENEFICIAL?

Beneficial. Wolf spiders eat ground-dwelling insects and other spiders,
including crop pests. They aren’t dangerous to humans but can be a little scary.

Before you squash one, remember: A wolf spider could be carrying hundreds of her
spiderlings, and that’s a situation best avoided.


HOW TO GET RID OF WOLF SPIDERS

Controlling wolf spiders outside your home isn’t necessary, Thome says.

If you see them inside your house, put down glue traps to catch them. They don’t
generally breed indoors, so if you see one in your basement, it doesn’t
necessarily mean you have an infestation.



If you’re up to it, trap them in a jar and deposit them outside.


HOW TO PREVENT WOLF SPIDERS

Thome says sealing gaps and cracks in your exterior walls is the best way to
keep them out of your house. Keeping leaf litter swept and not piled up against
your foundation will help, too.

Since they hunt and eat insects, any place that might harbor a food source next
to your home should be kept clean and decluttered, so wolf spiders won’t want to
take up residence there.

If you see wolf spiders outside, it’s best to leave them alone. If you’re
uncomfortable seeing them indoors, a pest control expert can spray the exterior
of your house to discourage them and inspect for likely means of entry.






POPULAR VIDEOS

ⓘ








More From Family Handyman


0 seconds of 7 minutes, 22 secondsVolume 0%

Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Seek %0-9

Next Up
The Eleven Percent Ally Childress
02:33
Settings
OffAutomated Captions - en-US
Font Color
White

Font Opacity
100%

Font Size
100%

Font Family
Arial

Character Edge
None

Background Color
Black

Background Opacity
50%

Window Color
Black

Window Opacity
0%

Reset
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%50%25%
200%175%150%125%100%75%50%
ArialCourierGeorgiaImpactLucida ConsoleTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdana
NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop Shadow
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%50%25%0%
WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan
100%75%50%25%0%
0.5x1x1.25x1.5x2x
facebook twitter Email
Linkhttps://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/WzJExEFY
Copied
Embed<iframe src="//cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WzJExEFY-DsSXXU7J.html" width="640"
height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto"></iframe>
Copied
Live
00:00
07:22
07:22








 



Originally Published: June 14, 2022




Ally Childress
Ally Childress is a licensed electrician and freelance writer living in Dallas,
Texas.



ADVERTISEMENT

Now Trending

The Most Popular Wall Paint Colors for Selling a House

How To Keep Spiders Out of Your House

An Invasive Spider Species Is Spreading Across the U.S.






 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 * About Us
 * Magazine
 * Skills

 * Pro
 * House
 * Outdoors

Our Brands

 * Reader’s Digest
 * Taste of Home
 * Birds & Blooms
 * The Healthy

 * Subscribe
 * Give a Gift
 * Advertise with Us
 * Customer Care
 * Content Submission
 * Contact Us
 * Privacy Policy
 * Your CA Privacy Rights
 * Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents
 * Terms of Use
 * Accessibility Statement
 * About Ads
 * Affiliate Program

© 2022 Home Service Publications, Inc.


SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Enter email address Sign Up
Do it right, do it yourself!

Search terms


We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site
experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.

We recommend our users to update the browser.

 * Google Chrome
 * Apple Safari
 * Mozilla Firefox
 * Microsoft Edge

 * DIY Skills & TechniquesMore Items
   * Carpentry
   * Concreting
   * Drywalling
   * Electrical
   * Flooring
   * Landscaping
   * Masonry
   * Painting
   * Plumbing
   * Roofing
   * Tiling
   * Woodworking
 * ProMore Items
   * Gear & Apparel
   * Industry News
   * Pro Tips
   * Stuff We Love
   * Tools & Equipment
   * Trades
   * ALL PRO
 * Garage & WorkshopMore Items
   * Automotive
   * Garage
   * Power Equipment
   * Tools & Supplies
   * Utility Trailers
   * Woodworking
 * Home InspirationMore Items
   * Cleaning
   * Decor
   * Energy Saving
   * Pets
   * Safety
   * Saving Money
   * Storage & Organization
 * HouseMore Items
   * Appliances
   * Fixtures
   * Parts of House
   * Rooms
   * Systems
   * ALL HOUSE
 * OutdoorsMore Items
   * Camping
   * Deck & Patio
   * Garden
   * Grilling
   * Landscaping
   * Lawn
   * Shed
   * Yard & Garden Structures
   * ALL OUTDOORS
 * Pest ControlMore Items
   * Ants
   * Cockroaches
   * Flies
   * Mice
   * Spiders
   * Stinging Pests
   * ALL PEST CONTROL
 * ProductsMore Items
   * Stuff We Love
   * ALL PRODUCTS
 * Technology & InnovationMore Items
   * Home Security
   * Smart Home
 * Videos
 * DIY University
 * Newsletters
 * SubscribeMore Items
   * Magazine Subscription
   * Shop DIY Books
   * Follow UsMore Items
     * Facebook
     * Pinterest
     * Instagram
     * Twitter
 * Project Plans