The relationship between humans and spiders is one of mutual horror. Wolf spiders don’t hunt their prey in packs as the name suggests; they’re lone hunters. It’s helpful to be able to identify their bodily features once you spot them. A wolf spider is neither big nor small and they can grow up to 35 mm in length. Their bodies are a mix of black, gray, and brown hues. While their main habitat isn’t inside homes, but rather outdoors on grassy environment, they can sometimes sneak into homes, especially in winter.
Wolf spiders aren’t poisonous, but they can bite you if you threaten them or get too close. We’ll be providing you with the best course of action for when you find a wolf spider in your attic.
Remove the Spider
Some people can panic once they see a spider and try to squish it as soon as possible. Squishing a wolf spider is quite problematic as females carry their offspring around on their back, which is a unique feature that most arachnids don’t have since wolf spiders enjoy moving unrestricted. A female spider can carry on her back hundreds of eggs that can hatch once you squish them. This is not a sight that you’d like to see if you were already afraid of a single spider. It’s always better to read more about these pests to be better prepared in knowing how to deal with them. It’s best to trap the wolf spider using a glue trap or a paper and cup and then release it outside. If you happen to find yourself stumbling upon wolf spiders frequently, then you may be facing an infestation, which will now require the assistance of professionals.
Reducing Hiding Spots
The first step towards fighting and potentially protecting your home from wolf spiders is by denying them hiding spots in the first place. When you leave your belongings unprotected, you’re not only inviting wolf spiders, but also other pests to consider them their hiding place. Use plastic storage units to provide them with protection from pests and dust. If you’re using drapes in your attic, replace them with blinds as drapes attract wolf spiders looking for warmth.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming your house often, once or twice a week, should help you get rid of little eggs that you may not usually see. It doesn’t take long to vacuum your attic to ensure that it’s as clean as possible. Make sure you go over the places that spiders like to hide in, like nooks and crannies. This doesn’t only rid you from wolf spiders, but also reduce the number of insects that wolf spiders feed on.
Using Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is one of the most effective and natural ways of combating wolf spiders and other spiders in general. You can wipe your attic with lemon juice every now and then to deter wolf spiders from entering the area since they use their feet to taste. Using harsh chemicals can cause more harm than good, so it’s always better to use a solution that doesn’t involve toxic or poisonous chemicals to humans.
Outdoor Area
The main population of wolf spiders lives in grassy areas which makes it the perfect spot for an infestation. The probability of a spider entering your house increases if there’s already a lot in your garden. You need to routinely clean your garden or yard from debris like grass piles, firewood, leaves, and mulch. This ensures that the sun finds its way to your garden which makes it a bad hiding spot for the wolf spiders. You need to also do a scan of the walls of your house to ensure that there are no cracks or gaps that could get spiders and other insects inside. Use caulk to seal the gaps and patch any broken window screens.
Bite Treatment
If you happen to get bitten by a wolf spider, there is no need to panic. While their looks could seem malicious, their bites can be easily treated. The area surrounding the bite can get inflamed due to the venom injected by the spider. You may feel dizzy and nauseous as venom affects people differently. It’s always recommended to have a doctor look at the bite and determine the best course of action to reduce any potential complications.
Finding a wolf spider in your attic is not the end of the world, and you can easily find a solution that helps you end the problem safely. Always make sure to prevent an infestation from happening, and if it does happen, do your best to get rid of it as soon as possible. If the problem is bigger than you thought, you may need to use the services of experts.
