How to Get Rid of Wolf Spiders for a Harmonious Home

Wolf spiders prefer quiet and secluded places to build their nests, often seeking refuge in cluttered areas. Cardboard boxes and piles of clothing are common cluttered places for spiders. Prevent their nesting by removing the clutter regularly.

Regularly vacuum and clean your home to remove spiders, their webs, eggs, and potential prey. Pay close attention to corners, baseboards, and other hiding spots. 

Wolf spiders will enter homes wherever they can. Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and openings in walls, doors, windows, and foundations. Using caulk, seal these entry points to prevent wolf spiders from getting inside. Check your home regularly for any new entry points that may require sealing to continue preventing entry.

While sealing entry points can help deter wolf spiders, you can also tidy up your space outdoors to further evict them. If your outdoor space is rife with dense foliage, tall grass, or bushes, wolf spiders are more likely to find shelter in it. Reducing these areas with ample hiding spots can make your property less alluring to these arachnids.

Regularly mow your lawn to keep the grass short, focusing on areas close to your home's foundation. Trim bushes, shrubs, and other landscaping plants reduce their density and create a more open, well-ventilated environment, focusing on areas near doors and windows. Trim tree branches that touch or hang over your home's roof, as wolf spiders can use these as bridges to enter your home.

Remove fallen leaves, mulch, and other organic debris from your property and clutter, such as firewood or bricks. Leaf litter provides ideal hiding spots for wolf spiders.

There are several types of traps you can use to capture wolf spiders and reduce their presence in your home, which are typically designed to be safe and non-toxic.

Sticky traps, sometimes called glue boards, are a simple and effective way to catch wolf spiders. They consist of a flat piece of cardboard or plastic coated with a sticky adhesive. Place these traps in areas where you've spotted wolf spiders or webs or along walls and corners.

You can create your own DIY spider traps using materials similar to a sticky trap: cardboard and sticky tape or adhesive. Lay out a piece of cardboard, then apply a sticky substance such as double-sided tape and place it in areas frequented by wolf spiders.

Creating natural repellents for wolf spiders involves using scents that these spiders find unpleasant, deterring them from areas you want to protect. Common scents wolf spiders dislike include citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. Choose one of these natural spider repellents and add a few drops to a spray bottle of water. Spray known and potential entry points for wolf spiders to deter them from your home. 

Choose an insecticide labeled for spider control, preferably one that targets wolf spiders specifically if it is an option. Seek out products that are suitable for your intended application location, whether it be indoors or outdoors.

Thoroughly read and adhere to the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the product label. This includes noting safety precautions, dilution rates, and application methods. To safeguard against any potential hazards, wear protective gear such as gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and safety goggles.

Focus your application on areas where wolf spiders are most likely to be found, such as entry points, cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots, but avoid indiscriminate spraying. Ensure proper ventilation when using indoor insecticides to disperse fumes, reduce exposure by opening windows and doors, and use fans if available. During and after the application, keep pets and children away from treated areas until it's safe to re-enter. Reapplication may be required to continue prevention.