Wolf Spiders in Salina
Shining a flashlight at ground level will often allow one to see the green shining eyes of a wolf spider reflected from 10-30 feet away, depending on the spider’s size. Wolf spiders are rarely pests, but they sometimes wander into houses, where their large size often frightens homeowners. Wolf spiders are active hunters with excellent vision, allowing them to see humans approaching them, at which point they flee. Many wolf spiders are nocturnal and use a reflective structure to maximize vision at night.
Wolf Spider Habitat
Wolf spiders patrol the ground for insects, small spiders, and similar prey. They do not use webs to capture prey; they actively hunt in the open during the day and night, often living by the thousands in leaf litter and grassy areas. Some wolf spiders build small burrows and defend a territory, but most are free-roaming. Because they are such numerous and voracious predators, wolf spiders are a very important part of any ecosystem in which they occur. Female spiders may sometimes be seen with young riding on their backs until they are independent enough to go off on their own.
Wolf Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Wolf spiders can bite humans, but bites are extremely rare. While they may be fast and aggressive when hunting their insect prey, they don’t usually bite people unless they are provoked or mishandled. A wolf spider bite may be painful, but it is not generally dangerous to healthy adults. However, sensitive individuals such as children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems may have some form of negative reaction.
If you are dealing with wolf spiders in your Salina property, contact your local spider exterminators.
