The wolf spider is in the group of spiders known scientifically as Lycosidae. Lycos is Latin for wolf. It is estimated that there are 200 species of wolf spiders in the United States. These spiders have a surprisingly diverse diet.

What Does the Wolf Spider Eat?

The wolf spider feeds on a wide range of insects, invertebrates, and also small vertebrates such as reptiles and amphibians. They’re not afraid to go after prey that is larger than themselves. Wolf spiders will even feed on each other when they have to.

What Attracts Wolf Spiders in the House?

Wolf spiders are drawn to moist conditions, and dampness can attract spiders to your home. Wolf spiders do not prefer to live in man-made structures permanently. Instead, they enter to find food sources.

When they get in, they are drawn to secluded locations and areas of a home that have pest activity, such as wall voids, attic spaces, and basements. Wolf spiders are most likely to be found near the floor and in hidden areas, such as behind or under furniture.

Does the Wolf Spider Bite?

Wolf spiders are not the most dangerous spiders in Texas. In fact, they are far from it. A wolf spider prefers to retreat from you rather than bite. These spiders only bite when they are cornered or trapped, and their pattern of activity makes it unlikely that they will climb on you and accidentally bite you while you’re sleeping. A bite from a wolf spider can feel like a bee sting but it will not lead to much more than a raised bump and some skin irritation.

Other Interesting Facts About Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are hairy spiders.
Wolf spiders have good eyesight.
Wolf spiders do not create webs to catch prey. They hunt for their prey.
A wolf spider will create webbing around the entrance of a hole to provide protection when they retreat from a predator.
Mother wolf spiders carry their eggs on their backs.
Spiderlings sometimes stay on their mother’s back for a time before going off on their own.

Common Texas Spider Questions

“Do Spiders Like Humans?”

Most spiders pay no attention to humans at all, even when approached. Wolf spiders and other spiders that have decent eyesight will move away when you come near to them. They’re also not drawn to you by other factors, such as the heat of your body. Spiders don’t eat blood from warm-blooded mammals. We’re also too large to be considered a food source.

“Can Spiders See You?”

While spiders have eight eyes, most spiders can’t see very well. This is one of the reasons they don’t seem to pay attention to humans. They can’t really see us. As mentioned above, wolf spiders have great vision, and they are only outmatched by jumping spiders in their ability to see you.

“How Common Are Jumping Spiders?”

Jumping spiders are the largest family of spiders in the world with over 6,000 species. They can jump up to 50 times their body height and, as we mentioned, they have excellent eyesight. Don’t be surprised to find one of these spiders inside your Texas home. They are common home-invading spiders.

“What Spiders Get Into Homes?”

Wolf spiders, brown recluse spiders, tarantulas, and black widow spiders can get into homes, but they don’t prefer to. The spiders that prefer to be in your home are American house spiders and long-bodied cellar spiders (which are often improperly referred to as daddy longlegs).

“Do All Spiders Have Venom?”

Yes. All spiders use venom to take down their prey. But all spiders are not able to bite humans. And spiders that are able to bite don’t necessarily have a potent enough venom for you to be concerned about it.

What to Do About Spiders

The best way to reduce spiders and protect your family from spider bites is to invest in a residential pest control plan. If you need assistance with this, reach out to Innovative Pest Control. We provide industry-leading pest control service throughout the surrounding areas of Texas.

Categories:

Spider Control,
Home Pest Control,
Spider Infestations,
Wolf Spiders

The post What Texas Wolf Spiders Eats And Other Spider-Related Facts appeared first on Innovative Pest Control.