There are many different types of spiders, some more harmful than others. In this article, we will compare the wolf spider and the brown recluse spider to help you better understand their differences.
Wolf Spiders Vs Brown Recluse Spiders Main Differences
Both wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders are commonly found in the United States. They’re both quick, agile, and capable of biting humans. However, that’s where the similarities end. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between these two spider species.
Size
The first difference between these two spider species is size. Brown recluse spiders are much smaller than wolf spiders. An adult brown recluse spider only grows to be about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in length. In comparison, an adult wolf spider can grow to be 1 to 2 inches in length. This means that wolf spiders are about 8 times larger than brown recluse spiders.
Habitat
Another difference between these two spider species is habitat. Brown recluse spiders prefer to live in dark, secluded places like attics, crawl spaces, and basements. They build their webs in these places and wait for prey to come to them. Wolf spiders, on the other hand, don’t build webs at all. Instead, they actively hunt for prey. They can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, fields, and gardens.
Diet
The third difference between these two spider species is diet. Brown recluse spiders are known to be cannibalistic, meaning they will sometimes eat other brown recluse spiders. They also feed on a variety of small insects including ants, crickets, and beetles. Wolf spiders also feed on small insects including ants, crickets, and beetles. However, they rarely eat other wolf spiders.
Appearance
The fourth and final difference between these two spider species is appearance. Brown recluse spiders are brown or light tan in color with a dark violin-shaped mark on their backs. Wolf spiders are also brown or light tan in color but don’t have any markings on their backs.
Both wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders can be found in the United States and they’re both capable of biting humans; however, that’s where the similarities end.
These two spider species differ in size, habitat, diet, and appearance. Now that you know the key differences between them, you can more easily identify them if you come across them in your home or backyard!
What are Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word “λύκος” meaning “wolf”. They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight.
More than 110 described species occur in North America. Another 175 species occur in Europe. The Carolina wolf spider, Hogna carolinensis, is common in the southeastern United States. Fossils of ancient wolf spiders have been found in Late Cretaceous amber from Myanmar.
Wolf spiders hunt and capture prey—mostly insects and other spiders—by stealth and speed. Although some wolf spiders can be found Kneeling among vegetation or running across open ground actively hunting for food, most of them prefer to lie in wait until an unsuspecting insect wanders by within range of their attack. Some species will excavate burrows in the ground where they wait for prey while others build webs to snare them.
A mother wolf spider carries her egg sac by attaching it to her spinnerets (silk-producing organs located at the base of the abdomen). When the time is right, she carefully cuts open the sac, and hundreds of spiderlings emerge.
The young climb up onto their mother’s back where they stay for several days until their first molt (shedding their skin). After that, they disperse to fend for themselves. Although most wolf spiders live less than two years, some species can live for up to six years in captivity.
Wolf spiders do not build webs to capture prey but some will spin a dragline (a safety line) as they walk along so they can quickly find their way back home if they get lost. Wolf spiders are fast runners and many will try to escape when threatened but some will defend themselves aggressively if necessary.
If you must handle one of these spiders, wear gloves and use extreme care since their bites can cause localized pain, swelling, and itching similar to a bee sting.
On rare occasions, their venom can cause more serious reactions including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness but these symptoms usually go away on their own within a day or two without requiring medical treatment.
Given their interesting biology and wide geographical distribution, it’s no wonder that wolf spiders have been studied extensively by scientists over the years.
Although most people consider them to be pests, these unique creatures actually play an important role in nature by helping to keep insect populations under control.
If you come across one in your home or yard, there’s no need to panic; just give it a wide berth and it will probably go on its merry way.
However, if you have small children or pets that could be harmed by a bite from one of these spiders, it’s best to contact a pest control professional for help removal.
What are Brown Recluse Spiders
Here in the United States, there are several species of spiders that are commonly found in homes and other buildings. While most of these spiders pose no threat to humans, there are a few that can be dangerous, including the brown recluse spider. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at brown recluse spiders, including their appearance, habitat, and behavior. We’ll also touch on the potential dangers they pose to humans.
Appearance and Habitat
Brown recluse spiders are small spiders that typically measure between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch in length. They are light brown in color and have a dark brown “fiddle” shape on their backs.
These spiders are typically found in the Midwest and Southern United States, although they have been known to turn up in other parts of the country as well.
Brown recluse spiders prefer to live in dark, dry places like attics, basements, crawl spaces, and storage sheds. They are often found hiding behind furniture or inside boxes.
Behavior and Danger to Humans
Brown recluse spiders are shy by nature and will usually only bite humans if they feel threatened.
That being said, their bites can be dangerous, especially to young children and the elderly.
Brown recluse spider bites often result in necrosis (death of tissue) at the site of the bite. In severe cases, brown recluse spider bites can lead to serious health complications like kidney failure or even death.
While brown recluse spiders are not aggressive by nature, their bites can be extremely dangerous—even life-threatening—to humans. If you suspect you have seen a brown recluse spider or have been bitten by one, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
To help prevent brown recluse spiders from making their way into your home or business, seal up any cracks or holes on the exterior of your building and make sure all screen doors and windows fit snugly in their frames.
Regular vacuuming and dusting will also help deter these pests. If you need assistance getting rid of brown recluses or preventing them from entering your property in the first place, contact your local pest control professionals today.
What does Wolf Spiders eat?
Wolf spiders are predators and will eat just about any type of insect or arachnid they can catch, including crickets, grasshoppers, moths, and even other spiders.
To hunt their prey, wolf spiders rely on their excellent eyesight and quick reflexes. Did you know that wolf spiders don’t build webs to catch their prey?
Instead, they hunt and pursue their prey on foot, using their excellent eyesight to track down anything from insects to small rodents. In fact, wolf spiders are unique in that they can see objects at different depths simultaneously, making them skilled and effective hunters.
Their diet consists of a variety of insects and other arthropods, although they can also occasionally eat small vertebrates like lizards and frogs. Luckily, wolf spiders won’t typically attack humans unless they feel threatened.
Instead, these solitary predators help to keep the insect population under control, serving an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. So next time you encounter a wolf spider in your yard, remember that it’s just out hunting for its next meal.
What do Brown Recluse Spiders eat?
If you’re afraid of spiders, the last thing you probably want to hear is that they eat living things. But what exactly do Brown Recluse Spiders feast on? These spiders, also known as fiddle back spiders or violin spiders, primarily feed on insects and other small arthropods. They hunt at night, using their webs to capture prey or roaming in search of food. They also can go months without eating, which is one of the reasons why they’re able to survive in such a wide range of habitats.
Brown Recluses will also occasionally eat other spiders, including their own species. While they are not aggressive towards humans, it’s important to exercise caution around these spiders as they are known to bite if disturbed or squeezed against the skin.
Fortunately, these bites are rarely serious and can typically be treated with antibiotic cream and a visit to the doctor. So next time you encounter a Brown Recluse Spider, remember that it is merely trying to survive by eating its usual diet of insects and smaller creatures.
Where can you find Wolf Spiders?
Wolf spiders can be found all over the world. In fact, there are over 2000 different species of wolf spiders! They inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and even urban areas.
These spiders are also very adaptable and can be found in both temperate and tropical climates. While most wolf spiders are brown or gray, some species can have brightly colored markings on their bodies.
Wolf spiders are also relatively large, with some species reaching over 2 inches in length. These spiders are mostly nocturnal, so you’re more likely to see them at night if you’re looking for them.
During the day, they usually hide in burrows or among vegetation. Wolf spiders are also skilled climbers and can often be found on walls or ceilings. So next time you’re looking for a wolf spider, keep an eye out in both dark and light places, both high and low to the ground.
Where can you find Brown Recluse spiders?
The Brown Recluse is a timid spider that would much rather run away from a human than confront one. These spiders are most commonly found in the southeastern and midwestern United States, although they can be found in other parts of the world as well.
They typically live in dark, secluded places like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. They also like to hide in closets, in shoes, and among piles of laundry. Basically, anywhere that’s dark and quiet is a potential home for a Brown Recluse.
While these spiders are not aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened. So it’s important to exercise caution if you think you’ve found a Brown Recluse in your home. If you do get bitten, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible as these bites can sometimes lead to serious health problems.
So next time you’re looking for a Brown Recluse, remember to check all of the dark, quiet places in your home. Chances are, if there’s a Brown Recluse around, that’s where it will be.
How to get rid of Wolf Spiders
If you’re tired of seeing wolf spiders around your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, make sure to seal any cracks or openings in your home that these spiders could be using to get inside.
You should also remove any potential hiding places from around your homes, such as piles of leaves, firewood, or debris. Keep your yard tidy and free of clutter to make it less attractive to these spiders.
If you have wolf spiders in your home, you can also try using a vacuum cleaner to remove them. Just be sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately afterward to prevent the spider from escaping back into your home.
How to get rid of Brown Recluse spiders
If you have a Brown Recluse infestation, the best thing to do is to call a professional exterminator. These spiders can be difficult to get rid of on your own, and a professional will have the tools and experience necessary to get rid of them for good.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to keep these spiders at bay. First, make sure to seal any cracks or openings in your home that they could be used to get inside. You should also remove any potential hiding places from around your homes, such as piles of leaves, firewood, or debris.
Keep your yard tidy and free of clutter to make it less attractive to these spiders. If you have Brown Recluse spiders in your home, you can also try using a vacuum cleaner to remove them. Just be sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately afterward to prevent the spider from escaping back into your home.
following these tips, you can hopefully get rid of any wolf or Brown Recluse spiders in your home and keep them from coming back in the future.
It’s important to be aware of the signs of a spider infestation in your home and know how to get rid of them. By following the tips we’ve provided, you can hopefully get rid of any wolf or Brown Recluse spiders in your home and keep them from coming back in the future.
