Wolf spiders “Lycosidae” will pretty much nest anywhere, and your home is no exception! Once they are inside your house they will start building a nest and before you know it you could have an infestation on your hands.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that you can take to get rid of wolf spiders in your house. So, below are seven tips for getting rid of wolf spiders in your house.
7 ways to get rid of wolf spiders in a house
1. Natural Repellent
One method to get rid of wolf spiders in your house is by using natural repellents. These repellents work by emitting certain scents that are unpleasant for wolf spiders.
They are known for their aversion to peppermint, lavender, and citrus oils. So all you have to do is add some drops around your house, in places like basements, and the attic where these spiders like to nest.
Natural Repellents You Can Use:
- Peppermint Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Citrus Oils
You can also soak up some cotton balls with these oils if you don’t like the idea of adding drops directly on your floorboards or carpet.
The best part about using these methods is that not only will they get rid of wolf spiders “or any other spider for that matter”, but, your house will smell great too!
Related Articles:
2. Granular Insecticide
Granular insecticides are available in most stores and can be used to get rid of wolf spiders in the house. They can be used both indoors and outdoors and will usually kill spiders within 24 hours.
Just remember insecticides are very potent so it’s important to use them with caution. For example, if you have children, or small pets in the house it’s a good idea to restrict them from these areas while using insecticides.
One product we do recommend is the “Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer” this one can be used indoors and it works on cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, and more! and the best thing is it won’t stain your furniture.
You should spray the insecticide all over their nest and around the areas where you’ve seen the wolf spiders. Also, don’t forget any cracks or crevices where these spiders tend to hide.
3. Sticky Spider Traps
If you don’t want to use chemicals or natural repellents, then the next option would be to use sticky spider traps. These are non-toxic and completely safe to use around children or small pets,
These traps work best because all the wolf spiders has to do is walk over the trap. Once they do the spider will literally get its legs stuck in the glue with no way to escape. This same method is used on rats and mice and is very successful.
You can get these traps at most online stores like amazon. Just place them anywhere where you think the wolf spiders like nesting and wait 24 hours then check the traps! If you haven’t caught anything simply leave them there until you do!
4. Use A Vacuum
One of the easiest ways to get rid of wolf spiders is to vacuum them up. You can do this with a handheld vacuum or an attachment on your regular vacuum cleaner.
Be sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately after so that the spider cannot escape. You can also use a dustbuster to get rid of these spiders.
Just remember to be alert when you empty the bag! As the spider may suddenly jump out and it could end up back in the house! Your best bet is to release the spider at the end of your property in a bush or on some grass so it doesn’t go back into the house.
5. Seal Cracks And Holes
Wolf Spiders can fit through extremely small spaces and they love nesting inside cracks or holes which are perfect for them to hide. So, you should start off by sealing the obvious areas.
The next thing is to walk around and fill in any holes outside your house to prevent them from getting in.
Once their entryways are sealed up this will also stop their prey from entering. Wolf spiders typically nest in areas where the food source is high and if there’s no food they won’t nest! It’s as simple as that!
6. Cup And Paper Trick
Everyone has heard of the cup and paper trick! The way it works is simple. First, place the cup upside down over the spider. Then, slide the piece of paper under the cup so that the spider is trapped inside.
Then, lift the cup and paper together go to the window or back door, and release the spider outside. That’s it! It’s that simple!
The problem with this method is it involves getting close to the wolf spider! So if your are someone who is afraid of spiders then this method is probably not for you!
7. Use A Broom Or Stick
Wolf spiders are known for building giant tunnel webs which you want to remove ASAP since it will only attract more wolf spiders into your house.
You can use a broom or a thin stick if the web is in a hard-to-reach place! Just wiggle the stick around and you will notice the web starts to build on the stick once you’ve collated all the web pull the stick out. You may need to repeat this if necessary.
It’s best to wear gloves when removing their webs as you don’t want it sticking to your hands. If there are any eggs inside the web then make sure to put them in an air-tight bag to throw them out otherwise, they will hatch and you’ll be back to square one.
Alternatively, Call A Professional
If you’ve tried all of these methods and still can’t get rid of your spider problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. A qualified exterminator will be able to identify the source of your spider infestation and develop a plan to eliminate it quickly and effectively.
They may also use pesticides or other chemicals that are more potent than those available over the counter, so be sure to ask about their methods before hiring them.
What Attracts Wolf Spiders In The House?
What attracts wolf spiders in the house? Well, there are a number of reasons why they may choose to make your home their new habitat.
For example, you might notice them more often during autumn and winter as this is when these creatures become most active.
Wolf spiders also like dark areas such as basements, under stairs, and tiny cracks in the walls. Another reason is prey!
If you have a lot of insects in your house or basement this will attach wolf spiders! As they tend to nest where the food is. Cleaning your house regularly and removing these problems will stop these spiders from entering your home.
What Attracts Wolf Spiders In Your House:
- Other Insects (Prey)
- Hiding Spot (Cracks And Crevices)
- Dark Areas (Basements Or Understairs)
Is It Common To Have These Spiders Nest In Your House?
It’s not uncommon for wolf spiders to be found nesting inside your house as they can enter through almost any small crack or vent looking for prey. As before, wolf spiders prefer to live in dark areas such as basements or crawl spaces in the loft.
If you are finding large numbers of wolf spiders then it could be a sign that you have an infestation of insects in your house that these spiders are feeding on! The reason for their large numbers.
If this is the case then you should call a qualified exterminator who can deal with this problem effectively!
Should You Kill Them?
You want to avoid killing the wolf spiders if you can! Although these spiders are big and look scary they are just as scared of you. If you find one in your house then it would be best to use a method that doesn’t involve killing them.
Should You Leave Them Be?
Leaving wolf spiders to run around in your house can be a problem and if you want to keep a clean house then you should remove them asap! For starters, wolf spiders can build huge webs which can be annoying.
Their webs can also contain a very strong smell over time that may not be too pleasant for you or any visitors! If you leave the spiders in your house you may find yourself cleaning up their webs and removing them on a daily basis.
However, if you don’t mind the extra work then these spiders can be beneficial in your house as they will eat other insects that could be harmful, for example, cockroaches or flies.
But, with that said, can you sleep at night knowing you have wild spiders in your house? it’s really your decision!
Conclusion
So there are some tips on how to get rid of wolf spiders in the house. All these methods should work “but” if there are too many for you to deal with then you should contact a spider removal expert.
Don’t forget to fill in any cracks or gaps where they can get inside like under doors, or around windows so they don’t return!
