The Truth About Wolf Spiders: Are They Poisonous

With that said, if you or your pets experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a wolf spider, then it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

All About Wolf Spiders

Lisa Jo Lupo is a pest control expert with over 25 years of experience in the pest control industry, writing about pest identification and management.

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Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist.

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Wolf spiders are a very common sight in the United States. In fact, scientists have identified more than 125 species of wolf spiders in the U.S. alone. The arachnid can be exceedingly large in size (measuring up to 2 inches long in some instances) and cause fear in many people. Because the wolf spider has a harmful bite, it’s best to avoid the wolf spider and its habitats as much as you can. Keep these facts about the creature in mind as you spend time outdoors.

9 Things You Need to Know About Wolf Spiders

Wolf Spider Appearance

The average wolf spider can range from 1/2 to 2 inches long. Wolf spiders are identifiable thanks to their hairy body, which ranges in color from orangish-brown to gray or black and features splotches or stripes that give it a camouflaged look. The eight eyes of the wolf spider are set in three rows of three different sizes, with two medium-sized eyes on top of its head, two large eyes front and center, and four small eyes below those. Like all spiders, the wolf spider has eight legs, but it also has an additional two tiny leg-like appendages (pedipalps) extending out the front of its face.

The young of the wolf spider look much the same as the adults, although their coloring may vary or change as they grow. Mother spiders may sometimes be seen with the young riding on their backs or bellies until they are independent enough to go off on their own.

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Wolf Spider Habitat

Wolf spiders can live just about anywhere they can find a consistent supply of insects to feed on. Typically, they’re found on the ground in open areas, such as farm fields and grassy areas; harboring in firewood or ground tunnels; or under leaf piles or other ground clutter.

In some areas, wolf spiders can be a very common pest in the fall when they’re seeking shelter from the cooling temperatures, a practice that often drives them indoors. In the home, they can be found around door or window frames, in houseplants, and in basements and garages. They do not like people and will likely scurry away when they hear your footsteps.

Wolf Spider Behavior

Like their namesake animal, wolf spiders chase and leap on their prey instead of weaving a web to entrap them in. Typically, their diet consists of insects like other small spiders, ants, grasshoppers, and more—though they have been known to also hunt small frogs and other reptiles. They are nocturnal creatures and will do the majority of their hunting and wandering at night.

This solitary spider hunts on the ground, which is how it has earned two more common names: ground spider and hunting spider. It can run, climb, and swim but rarely does so unless hunting prey. Unlike the orb-weaver spider, which operates primarily by feel, the wolf spider uses its vision to communicate. For example, when a spider waves its front legs to another wolf spider, the second spider knows exactly what is meant.

Wolf spiders are not aggressive and will not bite unless frightened or provoked. Although the wolf spider’s bite is not deadly, it can be very painful.

Wolf Spider Control

It is fairly difficult to eradicate wolf spiders entirely from your property, especially considering they must come in direct physical contact with any pesticide to die. Because these spiders are solitary creatures, they generally are spotted alone, and killing off individual spiders can be a tedious and daunting task.

To help dissuade wolf spiders from entering your home, seal up any cracks, crevices, gaps, and other openings in your home, concentrating around the exterior structure, foundation, doors, and windows. Discarding piles of old paper and boxes and keeping your home clean can also help to reduce potential spots where the spider may seek out shelter.

When using any pesticide to control insects, it’s always best to enlist a professional, who can recommend the best course of action for your specific home and problem. If you choose to go about spraying on your own, be sure to read and follow all label directions closely. Make sure that the site (indoors, along the foundation, outside, etc.) is listed on the label, and use only products labeled for spiders or nuisance pests. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep any pets or young children away from the application site for the recommended period of time after spraying or applying pesticides.

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The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. “Wolf Spiders.” Home & Garden Information Center, Clemson University, South Carolina.

The Truth About Wolf Spiders: Are They Poisonous?

If you’ve ever seen a wolf spider, you know they can be pretty intimidating. With their large size and furry legs, they definitely don’t look like your average house spider. But, what about their venom? Are wolf spiders poisonous?

As it turns out, wolf spiders are not poisonous to humans. While their bite can be painful, it’s not deadly. In fact, most people who are bitten by a wolf spider will only experience minor symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching.

However, while wolf spiders may not be poisonous to humans, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless to animals including pets!

So in this article, we are going to talk about what you should do if you or your pet is bitten by one of these spiders. We will also discuss what effects a bite can have on your pets and more.

Table of Contents

Are Wolf Spiders Poisonous To Your Pets?

Although wolf spiders may be harmless to humans to pets it’s a different story. There have been some reports of dogs and cats becoming sick after being bitten by wolf spiders.

Typically symptoms will be the same as if one of us was bitten which includes swelling, and redness around the bite. However, in severe cases, your pet can show other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

Important: If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a wolf spider, and they are showing severe symptoms, it’s important to contact your local veterinarian immediately!

Signs And Symptoms Of A Bite

Knowing what a wolf spider bite looks like can help you make the right decision especially when it comes to your pets! The good news is there are a few signs that may indicate pets have received a bite from a wolf spider.

Signs And Symptoms Of A Wolf Spider Bite Include:

• Redness and swelling around the bite
• Bump that increases in size
• The bite looks like hives
• Swelling in the face and mouth
• Breathing difficulties
• Muscle cramps
• Slight fever

In rare cases, some pets can have an allergic reaction to a wolf spider bite. However, most bites will not be serious and will clear up within a few days with no lasting effects.

With that said, if you or your pets experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a wolf spider, then it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

How To Treat A Bite Mark Yourself?

If you’ve been bitten by a wolf spider, the first thing you need to do is clean the wound with soap and water as soon as possible. This will help prevent infection. If you’re experiencing any swelling, you can apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes.

To help with pain relief, take ibuprofen or pain reliever like acetaminophen according to package directions. However, If you start having trouble breathing or swallowing or develop new symptoms like dizziness or confusion this is where you need to get medical attention asap.

Treatment For A Wolf Spider Bite Includes:

1. Cleaning the wound with soap and water
2. Applying a cool compress to the area
3. Take pain medication such as ibuprofen
4. Seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen

Most people will recover from a wolf spider bite without incident, but it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms mentioned above in case you need medical treatment.

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Are They Poisonous To Eat?

Depending on where you live in the world some spiders are in fact a delicacy to eat. However what about wolf spiders? are they poisonous if you eat one? the short answer is no they are not poisonous if you eat one.

Spiders are usually dead when they are eaten! and with all spiders even the poisonous ones the venom in the spider’s body becomes inert once the spider dies, making it safe to eat.

With that said, it’s up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to risk eating a wolf spider. If you do choose to eat one, it’s unlikely to cause any serious illness.

What Should You Do If You See A Wolf Spider?

Well, this depends! if you are someone who is naturally afraid of spiders then it’s probably best to stay away. However, if you can handle being around them then there is no need to be afraid.

In general, wolf spiders are not aggressive and will only bite humans if they feel threatened. So, as long as you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some individual wolf spiders may be more aggressive than others. Still, the chances of being bitten by one are slim!

Overall, wolf spiders are not something that you need to be worried about. Unless you have a severe phobia of spiders, there is no reason to avoid them or be afraid of them. Just remember to be cautious around them and never try to handle them yourself.

How To Safely Remove A Wolf Spider?

If you’re someone who doesn’t like spiders then the sight of a wolf spider will instantly send shivers down your spine, and you may be tempted to call an exterminator. However, before you do, there are a few things you should know and can do to get rid of them safely.

• The first step is to identify and seal any cracks or openings in your home that could be used to get inside. This includes gaps around doors and windows, as well as holes in screens.

• The next step is to remove any food that could be attracting them to your home. This includes things like pet food, garbage, and spilled food on the floor.

• You can also try using traps or insecticides to get rid of them. However, it’s important to use these products safely and follow the instructions carefully to avoid harming yourself or your family.

If all fails it’s time to call a professional. A pest control company will be able to identify the source of the problem and get rid of the spiders for you. They may also be able to offer advice on how to prevent them from coming back in the future.

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Conclusion

So Wolf spiders are not poisonous and can even be beneficial because they help to control insect populations in your house if you don’t mind them. If you see one in your home, there is no need to be afraid. Just leave it alone and it will eventually go away on its own.

If you enjoyed this article and you want to know more about wolf spiders feel free to check out some more of our articles on this site.