Wolf Spiders vs. Other Common Household Spiders: How to Tell the Difference?
Spiders are common visitors in many homes, but not all are created equal. Wolf spiders, for instance, have distinct physical characteristics that help them stand out from other common household spiders. Understanding the difference between wolf and other common household spiders can help you identify which species is invading your home and inform the best method for spider control or extermination.
Wolf spiders are large and hairy with long legs that can easily span over an inch. They usually have dark coloring ranging from gray to brown to black. The most distinct feature of wolf spiders is their eye arrangement: four small eyes on the front row of the head, followed by two larger eyes on either side of its face. Depending on the species, wolf spiders may have markings along their backs, such as stripes or spots.
Other Common Household Spiders
Cellar Spiders
Cellar Spiders, or Daddy Long Legs, are typically found in basements or garages where they spin webs in corners or crawl spaces without disturbing humans too much. But it is still important to be careful when removing their webs. These arachnids get their name from their long legs compared to their short bodies. They range widely in color, including grey, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, white, and even orange.
Cellar Spider webs contain several layers, often with circular centers, making them look like funnels. Additionally, thick outer walls made up of sticky silk threads are used for catching prey like bugs that are attracted by the light coming through windows at night time.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping Spiders also make themselves at home inside houses because they love warm temperatures, especially during colder months when looking for food becomes harder outside. These species of spiders do not build webs but instead rely on stalking prey rather than spinning elaborate traps. So you may find one jumping around your Nashville home more frequently than others if it has successfully hunted down insects indoors.
Unlike cellar and wolf spiders, jumping spiders have big eyes arranged into three rows across its head, making them easier to spot while inspecting potential hiding places around your Nashville house due to how distinctive they look compared with others arachnids living near us humans.
Common Questions about Wolf Spiders
Are wolf spiders poisonous?
While wolf spiders possess venom, they are not generally considered highly venomous to humans. Their bites may cause mild pain, redness, and swelling, similar to a bee sting. However, as with any bug or spider bite, you should clean the injured area with gentle soap and water. And to decrease swelling, you can apply a cold compress and keep an eye on the symptoms.
If you experience serious symptoms, such as acute pain, allergic reactions, or evidence of infection, you should seek medical assistance right once.
What do wolf spiders eat?
Wolf spiders are skilled hunters and have a diverse diet. They play a crucial role in controlling the pests population as they eat primarily feed on insects around your home. Their menu includes flies, mosquitoes, crickets, beetles, ants, and other small arthropods. Wolf spiders use their excellent eyesight and agility to track down their prey, pouncing on them with precision and speed. These arachnids are nature's own pest control experts, contributing to the ecological balance by keeping the populations of unwanted insects in check. So, if you spot a wolf spider in your home, appreciate its presence as a natural form of pest management unless it poses a risk to your family.
Do wolf spiders bite humans?
While wolf spiders generally prefer to avoid confrontation and are not aggressive toward humans, they may bite if they feel threatened or cornered. However, it's important to note that wolf spider bites are rare occurrences. They typically occur when a person unintentionally comes into direct contact with the spider or accidentally presses against it.
If a wolf spider does bite, the resulting symptoms are usually mild. The bite may cause some pain, redness, and swelling, similar to a bee sting. Most individuals do not experience any significant complications or long-term effects from a wolf spider bite. However, like with any other insect or spider bite, it is critical to treat the injured area with mild soap and water. You can also apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and monitor the symptoms.
If you experience serious symptoms, such as acute pain, allergic reactions, or evidence of infection, you should seek medical assistance right once. Remember, it's always a good practice to give spiders their space and avoid provoking them to minimize the risk of bites.
Spider Control And Extermination
Once you know what kind of spider infestation is taking place inside your home, then it becomes much easier to identify effective methods for getting rid of any unwanted guests safely without harming yourself or them unnecessarily. Fortunately, there exist professional spider control in Nashville dedicated solely towards aiding people just like yourself who aren't sure how best to handle pest control problems within the Nashville area.
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