In theory, spiders only attack humans when they feel in danger. However, if you are arachnophobic, certain species like the wolf spider can instill fear and loathing in you. In addition, they can invade your home and their bites are painful. This article proposes to inform you in detail about this species of spider.
Their origins
Wolf spiders, along with tarantulas (a family of hunting spiders), belong to the Araneomorph suborder and the Lycosidae family. Science does not attribute them to a fixed origin because its spiders are present throughout Europe. They can be in the city or in the countryside, in the forest or in the gardens.
How to recognize a wolf spider?
Brown in color, it is distinguished by its impressive bag of eggs that it carries on its back. Like all spiders, it has a body divided into two parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen which have a similar dimension. It is small, between 5 and 8 mm, and has eight legs and a dorsal band on the forebody. Some can be larger and reach up to 1.5 cm. It has eight eyes spread over three levels: two large eyes located above a row of four small ones and two others on its head. Then it should be added that the majority of spiders seen moving on the ground are wolf spiders. Because these spiders do not generally weave webs, but they capture their prey (which can reach the size of a small bird or a mole for the larger ones) on the ground. It is called "wolf" because sharing the same hunting territory with its congeners, its number at one time reminds scientists that it hunted in packs, like wolves. This is ultimately not the case, the wolf spider being a solitary animal.
What to fear in the event of an attack?
Bites from larger specimens can be painful, but rarely dangerous to humans, although they do cause itching, swelling, and skin irritation that can sometimes last for days. The itching and swelling can be soothed by applying St. John's wort oil or lavender essential oil diluted to 3% in olive oil. If the lesion is very inflamed, it must also be disinfected with an antiseptic. Here are remedies that are recommended for their effectiveness, the application of a fresh onion, or friction with a compress of vinegar (this acts on the venom by the acetic acid it contains). Finally, if the wolf spider is not dangerous for humans, on the other hand its bites can be quite painful and cause local necrosis, unlike the venomous black widow spiders of the Theridiidae family.
How to get rid of it ?
Eventually It is necessary to clear yards of all debris such as grass clippings, leaves, firewood and mulch, because when it comes to shelters, wolf spiders abhor dark places. But for safer prevention measures, call professional spider exterminators. In this sense, Metroplex Pest Services can help eradicate your wolf spider issues so that you can maintain a safe and healthy place.