What is a wolf spider, and what does it look like?

A wolf spider is a type of spider that can grow to a rather large size. Unlike many other spiders, who capture their prey in webs, these spiders are more aggressive, as they can chase their victims. They can be very fast, and they are easy to recognize due to their size and hairy bodies.

What are the signs of a wolf spider infestation?

These spiders usually hunt at night, so it is difficult to see them active during the day. In most cases, they stay still and hide away in sheltered places, waiting for nightfall. They don’t often settle in a specific place, but they roam around, looking for prey to feed on and spending the day in whatever sheltered spot they can find.

Wolf spiders are generally solitary, roaming hunters rather than web builders, and they don’t form large colonies. True “infestations” are rare, but you might notice a higher-than-normal presence if conditions are favorable for them. Possible signs include:

Frequent Sightings:
Seeing multiple wolf spiders indoors, particularly in dark corners, basements, garages, or near doors, can indicate they find food and shelter inside.

Abundant Prey Sources:
An increase in other insects within your home (e.g., crickets, cockroaches, or other small pests) can attract wolf spiders, as they go where their food is plentiful.

Spiderlings on the Move:
Female wolf spiders carry their egg sacs and later spiderlings on their back. If you spot a spider with a cluster of young clinging to it, it suggests active breeding and may indicate a suitable environment for them in or around your home.

Outdoor Harborages Near Entry Points:
If your yard or landscaping provides the perfect habitat—tall grass, leaf litter, wood piles—wolf spiders may enter more frequently. Spotting them around doors, windows, and cracks in the foundation could mean they’re making their way indoors.

Because wolf spiders don’t live in groups and can easily wander in from outside, controlling their entry points and reducing their insect prey inside the home are often the best steps to prevent seeing them repeatedly.

Are wolf spiders dangerous? Do wolf spiders bite?

Wolf spiders can indeed bite humans, particularly if they are handled or if they feel threatened. All spiders are poisonous, but not all of them are poisonous to humans. Thankfully, wolf spiders aren’t particularly dangerous to humans since their poison is not life-threatening. In some cases, having wolf spiders around can be beneficial because they can keep down the population of insects that might damage plants, as well as feeding on cockroaches and silverfish.

If you have wolf spiders in your home or business, call us today for a free, no-obligation inspection.

Spider control is included with all of our Pest Protect 365 Services.