Hogarth's Pest Control specializes in all types of industries, residential and commercial.
The wolf spider, or Lycosa, is a reasonably common predator that feeds on other spiders and large insects. They are not known to be aggressive but will bite in self-defense if handled roughly. Their venom is not particularly dangerous to humans.
Wolf spiders are large and hairy. They range between 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length. These spiders are typically gray with brown to dark gray markings with outlandish-looking eyes; four small on the bottom row, two bigger straight above, and still two bigger on top of their head!
Most lycosids do not construct webs but rather hunt their prey on the move like wolves (hence their common name). Some burrow in the ground and ambush unsuspecting prey as it crawls past the opening. Wolf spiders are usually a shock to those that see them because of their large size; some have mistaken them for an escaped pet tarantula. Others are concerned that they might be brown recluse spiders, which are unknown to Michigan.
The wolf spider hunts at night but is occasionally out and about during the day. Female wolf spiders carry their young on their backs for a considerable time after they hatch, and their life spans can last upwards of 2 years.
Just like stink bugs, wolf spiders are accidental intruders in homes. As summer transitions to autumn, cooling temperatures prompt them to seek cover and find mates, leading them to discover cracks and holes in houses. A typical entry point for the spider is under doors.
Wolf spiders typically enter homes near ground level and encounter basements, crawlspaces, and breezeways. These spiders occur in low numbers, and usually, homeowners face only one or two of them.
