Q&A for How to Identify a Wolf Spider

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Should I leave wolf spiders alone?

Shweta Sharma
Biologist
Shweta Sharma is a Biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With nearly ten years of experience, she specializes in insect management, integrated pest management, insect behavior, resistance management, ecology, and biological control. She earned her PhD in Urban Entomology and her MS in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. She also holds a BS in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Nepal.

Shweta Sharma

Biologist

Expert Answer

Yeah, you should. They are not dangerous, so there's no need to handle them.

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Can a wolf spider kill you?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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While a person with a strong allergy to wolf spider venom might have a strong reaction, being bitten usually results in minor pain and itchiness that does not require any treatment. It does not appear that there are records of a person ever dying from a wolf spider bite.

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Question

Are wolf spiders dangerous to humans?

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Wolf spiders can give a bite that can be painful and itchy, but almost never very dangerous unless the person has an allergy to the venom or a weak immune system. See a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms like dizziness, nausea or a rapid heartbeat. However, wolf spiders are not aggressive at all and only bite when provoked.

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Question

Where do you find wolf spiders?

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Wolf spider species can be found all across the world in nearly every kind of habitat. More specifically, you can find wolf spiders roaming around outdoors, in woods and grassland often near sources of water.

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What do wolf spiders like to eat?

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Wolf spiders usually prey on ants, crickets, grasshoppers, other spiders and a wide number of other small invertebrates. Large species of wolf spiders may eat small frogs or lizards on rare occasions..

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Question

Do brown recluse spiders get as big as a wolf spider?

Community Answer

Very rarely do any of the recluses (Loxosceles spp.) get to the size of wolf and fishing spiders. They may have a similar legspan, but recluses are much thinner and have tiny fangs, while wolf spiders are bulky and have large fangs.

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Question

Can a wolf spider bite be fatal?

Community Answer

No. The bite will hurt, but the venom is not potent enough to kill a person.

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Can a wolf spider make a web across a front porch above bushes?

Community Answer

This article says a wolf spider does not build a web. It lives in crevices and holes.

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Question

Do wolf spiders bite? Are they venomous?

Community Answer

They would rather run the other way. Although painful, their bites are never lethal and do not cause serious damage.

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What do wolf spiders eat?

Community Answer

Wolf spiders eat small insects, such as grasshoppers, flies, crickets, and ants.

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Question

Can wolf spiders harm a cat?

Community Answer

No, a wolf spider cannot harm a cat.

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Question

How does a wolf spider jump?

Community Answer

Males can use their long legs to jump high distances. They use this as a resort to escape.

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Question

What part of the country do these spiders live in?

Community Answer

Through all their sub-genres and different species, they live everywhere. There really is no way to avoid them, but don't worry they aren't exceptionally dangerous.

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Are wolf spiders native to the UK?

Community Answer

Wolf spiders do reside within the United Kingdom. It is easier to name where you cannot find a wolf spider, which includes far northern Canada and Russia, as well as in-land Greenland.

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Are spiders likely to run away from or towards me?

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Most spiders will run away from you and hide, although the rare, aggressive spider might come towards you in an attempt to attack you.

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How do I get rid of these spiders in my house?

Community Answer

You can check out this article for some tips that might help you: How to Get Rid of Wolf Spiders .

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Is there more than one kind of wolf spider?

Community Answer

Yes. Wolf spiders are a large group of ground spiders. There are more than 100 genera and about 2,300 species worldwide.

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Question

Will a wolf spider hide under a carpet?

Community Answer

It depends. If there is a decent amount of space under the carpet (about half an inch), then, yes, maybe.

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Question

Can I keep wolf spiders as a pet?

Community Answer

Sure, if you're into that sort of thing. Just be careful to keep it securely enclosed.

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Question

How do I kill a wolf spider?

Aimee Dobbins Cardillo

Community Answer

Put a cup over it and throw it outside. They're harmless. A good pest control to prevent spiders from coming in can spray any kind of mint.

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Question

How do I keep my wolf spider safely?

Community Answer

Keep it in a medium sized tank. Keep the temperature comfortable. Make sure the spider has lots to eat. Don't forget to lock cage\tank. Wolf spiders are good at escaping thanks to their hunting instincts.

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Question

Do wolf spiders eat wood lice?

Community Answer

Seldom. They don't usually bother eating them due to their hard shells.

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Question

If I have roaches in my house, will they attract wolf spiders?

Community Answer

No. Wolf spiders eat small insects such as grasshoppers, flies, crickets, and ants. Roaches are too big for them.

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Do wolf spiders have distinct white strips on their main body?

Community Answer

No, wolf spiders don't have white stripes.

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Question

Why would I have wolf spiders in my house if they are mostly an outdoor predator?

Community Answer

If they get in your house, they will not live longer than two days. Like any spider, occasionally one might get in. If she is carrying babies, it's best to just guide her back out, you don't want hundreds of babies running in different directions.

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Do wolf spiders eat other types of spiders?

Community Answer

Yes, they do. All spiders eat other spiders, and if you plan on keeping one as a pet, do not feed it anything bigger than half the size of your spider.

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Question

Can a wolf spider's head have a light brown stripe on top?

Community Answer

Yes, that is possible.

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Why are wolf spiders called wolf spiders?

Community Answer

A wolf spider is part of the group Lycosidae, which means "wolf" in Latin. The name came from the similarities between these spiders and wolves in their hunting tactics, which involve ambush, although wolves hunt in packs and wolf spiders are solitary.

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Question

Do Wolf Spiders' eyes glow green in a light path?

Community Answer

Yes, they do.

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Question

Is a wolf spider stationary for long periods of time (up to several hours)?

Community Answer

Yes, that's possible.

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