5 Wolf Spider Tips for Boise Residents

When we come home after a long day of working or running errands, we want to get into our comfy clothes, crash on the couch, turn on the television and become couch potatoes for the rest of the night. A spider destroys any feeling of serenity when we see it running across the sofa, floor, or even worse, us!

If seeing spiders scurrying over the carpet or running along the baseboards is causing anxiety, you need the Boise pest control experts from Averse Pest Control. With years of pest experience under our belt, we have been eradicating spiders, and we have the skills, knowledge, and experience to stop spiders in your Boise home.

How to Identify Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are the athletes of the Idaho spider species. Unlike many spiders who catch prey using webs, the long-legged wolf spiders stalk their prey and chase them down. They are one of the few hunting species of spiders, and they do not spin webs, unlike most spider species. Compared to other spider species, wolf spiders have excellent eyesight due to their two large eyes in the front, surrounded by six smaller eyes above and below the large ones. Aided by their keen eyesight, wolf spiders are nimble hunters who pursue their targets in the dark.

Of the 2,300 species of wolf spiders, there are 200 types of wolf spiders in the United States. Wolf spiders are usually brown and hairy with dark vertical stripes or chevron patterns on their back. Wolf spiders are commonly mistaken for the hobo or brown recluse, but the prominent stripes on their back can help distinguish wolf spiders from spiders that are similar in appearance. Female wolf spiders are larger than the males and may be as large as 2 inches in length. A female wolf spider will carry her spiderlings on her back, which is a trait unique to wolf spiders.

Are Wolf Spiders More Aggressive Than Other Spiders?

We tend to conflate size with aggressiveness. Because wolf spiders are big spiders in Idaho, many think they are aggressive, but they are not. Wolf spiders run away from humans; they do not usually bite unless continually provoked. Wolf spiders have venom, which is how they kill their prey. If a human irritates a wolf spider and the spider bites, the wound will result in mild swelling, itching and redness, but it is not life-threatening.

Professional Pest Control Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Wolf Spiders

During the day, wolf spiders stay hidden in the cracks and crevices of a house; they often reside in closets, under furniture, or in the basement or crawlspace. They also commonly lurk around doors, windows, and garages.

Since they hunt at night, catching wolf spiders can be difficult; therefore, to get rid of spiders, professional pest control is the best solution. Pest control experts, like Averse Pest, use safe and effective treatments that penetrate the crevices where wolf spiders hide. We will get rid of wolf spiders day and night!

Five Helpful Tips To Prevent Wolf Spiders In Your Home 

Wolf spiders live outdoors under wood, piles of leaves or other debris, and in firewood stacks. During warm weather, wolf spiders hunt ground-dwelling insects in your yard at night. As the temperature drops in the fall, insects searching for warmth and shelter enter Boise’s homes, and as the insects enter houses, wolf spiders follow. 

These five tips will reduce insects on your property, limiting the number entering your home, especially as fall and winter are coming. The following tips will keep the super scary wolf spiders and insects from entering your house:

• Seal cracks that lead into the home, especially around the floors, doors, and other openings. We have found Todol foam to work especially well.
• Place screens over doors and windows.
• Close garage doors, and keep other doors and windows closed.
• Remove debris from the yard, especially up against the house. Keeping wood piles away from the house will help keep the spiders out.
• Reduce moisture content in the basement or crawlspace. A dehumidifier or some vapor barrier will do the trick.

Using the spider control team from Averse Pest Control is the best way to eliminate and prevent these freaky spiders from your home. Our professionals know where wolf spiders like to hide, what they enjoy hunting, and their behavioral patterns.

We will inspect your home and create a plan targeting the pests causing problems. Contact us today and let us help you so you can relax in your home without the fear of spiders.