Most people don’t like spiders. Yeah, that’s the simple fact of the matter. But there’s one spider that even makes me a little nervous. And that’s the Wolf Spider. So today, we’re going to discuss the Tampa Wolf Spider and what you should do in case of an infestation.
Tampa Wolf Spider: Overview
There are dozens of species of wolf spiders out there in the wide world. And they’re very adaptable. You can find them anywhere from cold, stormy New England all the way down to Texas. And, of course, the swamps of Florida are home to this arachnid as well. Wolf spider infestations can occur for various reasons and are tough to get rid of. But, managing the spiders isn’t always encouraged.
Wolf spiders spin webs, but only to make their own shelter or as self defense. Wolf spiders live in natural hollows or hollows they dig out themselves. They spin their webs at the entrences to protect them while they sleep. They tend to make these homes under rocks, in piles of wood, tree-root hollows, and similar spaces to that. The presence of these can attract this spider to your house.
These spiders aggresively hunt their prey, rather than waiting to ambush them in a web. Common prey of the wolf spider includes insects like grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, roaches, ants, and even other spiders. They prefer certain species, but the Tampa Wolf Spider will eat any insect available when they have to. If you have a yard full of grasshoppers, that’s pretty much a buffet of this predator’s favorite food.
The bite of the wolf spider isn’t a significant threat to an average adult. In fact, they’ll retreat if they can, and rear up onto their back legs and expose its fangs in a threat display before biting.
Managing wolf spiders
To identify this spider, it helps to observe it’s movements. They’re named for their swift motions, and can be seen scurrying across open surfaces. Other similar looking spiders tend to hide in the dark, and are rarely seen in the open. The wolf spider has two sharp, horizontal fangs at the bottom of their jaws.
Many sources recommend that you don’t try and manage wolf spider populations. The University of Maine lists spiders, and wolf spiders in particular, as the most beneficial insects in the garden and home. Spiders, especially active predatory spiders like wolf spiders and jumping spiders, help maintain populations of garden and house pests like Japanese beetles, aphids, flies and mosquitoes. Unlike species such as the black widow or brow recluse, wolf spiders do not possess powerful venom. According to a report by University of Minnesota entomologists, bites from spiders with weak venom prove less damaging than a bee sting. So, while wolf spiders look scary, they prove more helpful than harmful.
They do not damage homes or threaten human health. They may bite you, but only to avoid being crushed or harassed. They intimidate people due to their large size, but they eat too many insects to be anything but beneficial. But, if you have a TRUE infestation, there are a few things that you can do.
Tampa Wolf Spider Tips
For starters, make sure you clear your yard of clutter at debris. Piles of grass clippings, leaves, firewood, mulch, or compost should be kept far away from your home or removed alltogether. Dark spaces attract these spiders, since they hide in them during the day. Exposing your yard to sunlight will help keep these and other insects out for the most part. Objects like empty planters, stones, and grills are hiding places that make attract these arachnids as well.
Removing shrubs and other heavy, ground covering plants away from the building is a good step to keep any pest from entering your home. Wolf spiders love these dark places and low vegetation. Remove all of these from the perimeter of your home and out properly into your yard to give critters less of a hiding space.
Also, like with any pest, seal cracks and holes in the outer wall of your home. Make sure that all cracks and gaps leading inside from outside are patched up. This keeps any pests from entering your home. Use caulk to fill in the gaps and cracks along the exterior wall. Then, add weather stripping to your doors and windows to minimize the risk of entrance from pests. Make sure to patch up broken window screens or replace them completely.
Outdoor Lighting/Cardboard Boxes
If there’s one thing that will attract the Tampa wolf spider, it’s outdoor lighting. Lights on the outside of your house attract some of the spider’s favorite prey. So it’s best if you keep your lights turned off as much as possible to limit the amount of insects drawn to your home. Also, draw your blinds and shades closed to keep the light from inside from doing the same thing. Sodium vapor lights can help as well, as they have a soft yellow hugh which is less likely to attract bugs. This is especially effective against wolf spiders since they hunt at night. The less food available at night, the less you’ll see from wolf spiders.
Ditch any boxes made of cardboard in favor of ones made of plastic. Cardboard is a notorious pest attractor and makes great nesting material for almost any home invading pest. This goes all the way from ants and spiders to rats and possums. If you really need storage units that you keep in your garage, attic, or basement, change over to plastic instead of cardboard, as that material is harder for them to dig into or sneak inside of.
What can you do when this doesn’t work?
Well, the best thing for you to do at this point is to call a pro. When you have an issue like this you’ll need a pest control specialist. And be sure to contact one that uses natural methods, as opposed to chemicals. Chemical pesticides have long had a sketchy reputation and for good reason. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.