Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous? Not Really. Let Us Explain.

One of the most common spiders found in communities like Springfield, Westfield, and East Longmeadow, Massachusetts is the Wolf Spider. These hairy hunters are prevalent in New England and can survive colder weather by moving their hunting grounds inside—even into your home! But are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?

While cold weather may not be driving spiders indoors, it does encourage other types of pests to seek refuge in your home. Warmth and moisture, compared to the dry and cold outdoors, is good for termites, stink bugs, ladybugs, earwigs, crickets, and ants. This is even better for spiders who find these pests to be delectable. Naturally, spiders will set up webs in areas where these pests wander during colder months—in the pantry and near the warmth of washers and dryers. Since these are higher traffic areas, crawling into a web gets a little more probable.

What is a Wolf Spider?

Unlike most spiders, wolf spiders don’t hunt with webs. Instead, they chase their prey using their fast running ability. These spiders are often big and hairy which alarms some people, but they are primarily nuisance pests. They hunt at night and rest during the day.

Usually dark brown, often with paler (or sometimes yellow) stripes or markings, these intimidating creepy crawlers have long, spiny legs. They often look scarier than they are relative to their actual threat.

So, are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?

Wolf spiders can bite, but it’s extremely rare to experience a wolf spider bite unprovoked. They will only bite if they are handled. A wolf spider bite is poisonous but not lethal to humans. A wolf spider is highly unlikely to bite a human. As mentioned, they are primarily nuisance pests.

Remove Their Access to Remove Your Headache

To minimize any threat a spider might pose, first prevent them from having access to your home. Spiders hunt near low-traffic areas, like firewood piles and heaps of fallen leaves. Keep these at least 20 feet from your home. Those places typically collect moisture and draw pests that serve as food for spiders. Additionally, spiders will set up camp in the dark, moist corners of your basement. If you use cardboard boxes for storage, consider switching to plastic bins. This helps eliminate moisture sources that draw insects that spiders prey on.

Do cursory inspections of your home’s foundation and windows frequently. Spiders can enter through gaps in concrete, wood, or siding. Same for gaps near utilities, like water and electric—even cable! Seal any gaps you find with the appropriate material. You can minimize access even further by properly screening windows, doors, and vents.

Want to keep the wolves at bay? Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and the services to correct your infestation. Better yet…ask Graduate about our preventative annual plans to keep your home pest-free year-round!