What To Do About A Wolf Spider In Your Dallas Home

It can be unnerving to find a wolf spider in your home. Wolf spiders are big, hairy, intimidating spiders—well, most of the time. The spiderlings of wolf spiders aren't nearly as big and scary. But, for some Dallas residents, even finding a young wolf spider is a disturbing event. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these unwanted sightings. This is what you can do if you're seeing spiders in your home.

First Things First

Wolf spiders don't particularly care to live with you. These hunter spiders would much rather be outside. The first step in managing wolf spiders is to understand why you're seeing them in your home. 

Here are a few reasons why wolf spider may have come in:

• You have entry points on your exterior.

• You have a pest problem that has attracted the attention of wolf spiders.

• You have a moisture problem near the exterior of your home or inside your home.

• There are weather conditions outside that are driving spiders to take shelter inside.

• You have clutter, leaf piles, woodpiles, or some other organic debris near your exterior walls.

• They've found a dark hiding place in your garage, attic, or basement.

Step 1: Alter Conditions That Attract Wolf Spiders

It isn't possible to alter every condition that can lead to wolf spiders getting into your home, but you can address some.

• Wolf spiders eat insects, and many insects are attracted to white light. If you have white exterior lighting, consider replacing white light with yellow light. This spectrum of light is more resistant to insects.

• Damp conditions can lead to higher levels of pest activity near your home. This can, in turn, attract the attention of wolf spiders. Address clogged gutters and breaks to reduce dampness.

• Puddles and containers give wolf spiders, and many other pests, a drink of water. Inspect your exterior and address any conditions that allow for the capture and retention of rainwater.

• Wood rot, which results from moisture problems, will inevitably lead to conditions that can promote wolf spider entry. If you're able to replace damaged wood, it can make a big difference.

• Blow leaves out of your landscaping, rake leaves and other debris away from your exterior, and move stacked wood to at least 20 feet from your home. 

Step 2: Seal Your Exterior Walls And Foundation

There are many ways a wolf spider might get into your home. Some are obvious. If you leave your garage door open in the morning or evening, for instance, a wolf spider can crawl into your garage, unimpeded. But, more often, these spiders will access your home through available entry points on your exterior. Entry points include:

• Missing door sweeps. These can give quick and easy access to a wolf spider.

• An open space around a water main.

• A crack in your foundation wall. While not always an access point, it is possible, particularly when cracks are near basement windows or doors.

• Rotting wood that has been attacked by wood-damaging pests like carpenter ants, mice, rats, etc.

Step 3: Contact A Pest Control Provider

If you are continually having issues with wolf spiders, you may need to seek the assistance of a licensed pest professional. A professional will be able to evaluate your property for conducive conditions and spider activity. Then, through a process of monitoring and treatments, they will address your spider infestation and spider pressure on the outside of your home.

How Bad Is It To Have Wolf Spiders?

There are pests in our Dallas service area that are considered a medical threat. We're happy to say that wolf spiders aren't one of them. These spiders rarely bite people, and they do not possess venom that is considered to be a medical threat to humans. They're just big, hairy, and scary. If you're seeing them in your home, you don't need to fear them. But, of course, that doesn't mean it is good to have them living with you. While they help with pest control, they are not nearly as dedicated and diligent as a human pest control technician. It is far better to go with a human. We have a few humans on staff here at All-Safe Pest & Termite.

If you live in Dallas, Texas, reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our friendly service professionals can guide you toward the right pest control plan for your Dallas property. While wolf spiders are mostly harmless, many Dallas pests that aren't. Other pests can harm you, make you sick, damage your belongings, and damage your home. No Dallas home should be without an effective pest control plan. Let our team get your plan in place today.