Have you ever heard someone say that you are never more than three feet away from a spider? This myth has been tossed around for decades and is still believed by many. The good news is, it is not true. Although spiders are common, they are not so common that they surround us every moment. The distance between you and the nearest spider depends on where you are currently standing. The question is, how close are you to these pests when standing inside your Austin home? We are here today to answer this question.

What Are Wolf Spiders?

The wolf spider is a medium to large species of arachnid that lives in our area and is known for its invasive behavior. Identify this pest by its dark to light brown coloration and the pale markings that cover its body. During the day wolf spiders shelter in secluded areas such as beneath rocks, inside tree hollows, and around storage boxes. Unlike other area spiders that build intricate webs to catch their prey, wolf spiders hunt from the ground. They do this at night when human activity is at a minimum.

How Do Wolf Spiders Get Into Homes?

Wolf spiders invade homes in the same way most other pests do, by crawling in through a gap, crack, or crevice. They find these entry points within the foundation of structures, around window/door frames, and through damaged door sweeps, weatherstripping, and screening. These pests will also crawl inside through unscreened open doors and windows when given the opportunity.

Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?

There are two species of spiders in our area that pose a serious threat to human health. Thankfully, the wolf spider is not one of them. Although capable of biting, the wolf spider rarely does. Even when this pest does bite, its venom is only powerful enough to cause a minor reaction and some pain. No more than a bee sting. If you have an allergy to spider venom, your reaction to this spider’s bite is likely to be more severe.

Things That Attract Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are drawn to dark, secluded, wet areas such as basements and crawlspaces. One thing that draws these pests indoors quicker than anything else is an increased amount of pest activity. Often, spiders come inside while hunting for prey like beetles, centipedes, etc. Once inside, they look for comfortable places to live and decide if things are nice enough for them to justify settling down.

Some Strategies To Prevent Wolf Spiders

The good news with wolf spiders is that you do not have to tolerate these pests inside your home. There are ways to keep them out. To do this around your Austin home, try these prevention tips.

Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
Make sure your door and window screens are in good working order.
Address moisture problems in and around your home such as leaky pipes, water build-up, and improper roof sealants.
Keep your living and storage areas clean and tidy.
Use a dehumidifier indoors to keep humidity to a minimum.
Enlist the help of pest professionals.

The Benefits Of Professional Spider Control

DIY pest prevention is helpful, but it is not a guaranteed solution to pest problems. If you are looking for a reliable way to keep pests like spiders out of your home year-round, you need professional help. At White Knight Pest Control, we offer a range of services to deter pests from properties and would be happy to help you keep spiders out of your living areas.

Call us now to learn more about our general pest control plans and schedule your Austin property for a pest inspection.