The Basics of Wolf Spider Control - Baton Rouge Pest Control

Whether you own a home, rental home or apartment complex in the area, pest control should be one investment that you don’t skimp on. Because of Louisiana’s humidity, high temperatures and dense population, pests love the Bayou State, and it’s not uncommon for residents to deal with cockroaches, love bugs, mites and mosquitos on an almost daily basis. Another pest that residents have to be on the lookout for is the wolf spider.  ​

​Identifying Wolf Spiders
 
Spider control in Louisiana begins with understanding the wolf spider and specifically, what it looks like. The wolf spider is a fairly large arachnid that has the potential to grow up to two inches in diameter. It is covered in orangish-brown fur and has stripes or spots that give it a camouflaged look. Its eight eyes are arranged in three rows, with the two medium-sized eyes on top, the two largest centered right in the middle and the four smallest eyes lined in a neat little row on the bottom. Like all spiders, the wolf spider has eight legs, but its two front legs stick out in front, giving this species more of a crap-like appearance than spider-like. Like its namesake, the wolf spider chases and leaps after its prey, a thought that could give even the most spider-tolerant individuals a chill.
 
Because of its large, hairy and overall unique appearance, the wolf spider strikes a lot of fear into peoples’ hearts, but the truth is that the species is not all that dangerous. While its bite does hurt, unlike the bite of the brown recluse or the black widow, it’s not potentially deadly. It can, however, be hazardous to those who are allergic.
 
Baton Rouge pest control experts know how to identify grown wolf spiders from other species that may look similar. Better yet, they can identify the young, which look significantly different than adult spiders, and employ proper spider control measures to eliminate existing wolf spider infestations and prevent future ones.
 
Understanding Wolf Spider Habits
 
In addition to being able to identify the wolf spider, professionals have made a study of wolf spider behavior and habits. Wolf spiders, unlike many other species of spider, can be found all across the U.S. This is because the wolf spider doesn’t need specific conditions to thrive; it simply needs insects to feed on. Because most insects are found in wide open spaces or bustling communities, this species of spider is typically found in wide open areas, in large cities and on farmlands. They can also be in wood piles, leaf piles and other ground clutter.
 
Like most insects, the wolf spider is most active during the warmer times of year. This makes places like Louisiana an ideal breeding ground for them, as Louisiana is almost always warm. Because the wolf spider can remain active year-round in the Bayou State, it’s important for property owners to invest in year-round pest control. Without routine spider control, your home is at increased risk of an infestation.
 
Different from many species of spider, the wolf spider does not spin webs to capture its prey. Rather, it hunts, like the wolf it is named for. Like many mammalian predators, the wolf spider goes out at night and hunts down prey, usually smaller bugs and insects. When it spots its meal, it chases it. When on the hunt, the wolf spider can perform impressive feats, including climbing and swimming. Because it is a hunter, the wolf spider relies on its vision rather than its other senses, as most other arachnids do.
 
Controlling the Wolf Spider
 
Because it is not a stationary spider and is quicker and agile than most other bug species, the wolf spider is surprisingly difficult to control. Moreover, these arachnids are generally loners, making it difficult for pest control experts to identify infestations. For this reason, it’s important to work with a pest control expert who has experience in controlling the wolf spider.
 
Many house pests can be killed by setting out poison that can be passed from one bug to the next. However, because the wolf spider does not eat bait or socialize with other bugs, it can be difficult to get that poison into its system. Instead, wolf spiders are eradicated via direct contact. This can be either physical or chemical, but if you suspect that you have a wolf spider infestation, chemical is likely the best way to go.
 
Before spider control measures can be implemented, your pest control team will need to block off any entrances to your home. It is counterproductive to kill off one spider only to leave an opening for others to enter. The pest control team you hire may seal off any gaps, crevices, cracks or other openings in your home’s structure through which a wolf spider can crawl. They may recommend that you seal your windows as well. You may be asked to get rid of debris piles in or around your home, as wolf spiders tend to seek shelter in chaos.
 
Once structural modifications are made and debris piles cleaned up, your pest control team may proceed to bomb your house with either chemicals or a fogger. This serves to eliminate existing spiders and unhatched eggs. It is important to note that a fogger will not prevent new spiders from entering the home, which is why the aforementioned modifications are necessary.
 
If your goal is to eliminate wolf spiders from your property entirely, talk to your Baton Rouge pest control team about spraying beneath your windows, around the foundation of your home and outside of entrances. If necessary, a member of the team may need to spray directly into cracks and crevices. Such measures are best handled by professionals who know where and how to apply them, as pesticides used incorrectly can be bad for your health and the health of other residents. 
 
Investing in Spider Control in Baton Rouge
 
Though the wolf spider is not necessarily dangerous to the average person, dealing with a bug infestation is never fun — especially when that bug can grow to be two inches in diameter. If you don’t want to want to deal with the fearsome wolf spider on your property, work with a Baton Rouge pest control team year-round. The right team can easily identify this arachnid and take measures to keep your home spider-free year-round.