Wolf Spiders in Tennessee | Pest ID Guide
Quick Facts About Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are large, hairy spiders that hunt on the ground instead of building webs. Their size startles people, especially when they come indoors in fall, but they’re not dangerous to people.- Size: Body from about 1/4 inch to over 1 inch, depending on species
- Color: Brown, gray, or tan, usually with darker stripes or patterns
- Eyes: Eight eyes, including two large ones facing forward
- Webs: Don’t build webs to catch prey; they run it down
- Where found: Lawns, gardens, leaf litter, woodpiles, and along foundations; indoors on floors and in basements
- Bite: Rare and similar to a bee sting
How to Identify Wolf Spiders
Size, hairiness, and striping are the first clues. They also move fast and stay on the ground.Egg Sacs and Spiderlings
Female wolf spiders carry a round egg sac attached to the back of the abdomen, and after hatching, the spiderlings ride on her back for a while.
Eyeshine at Night
Shine a flashlight across your lawn at night and you may see tiny green sparkles. That’s light reflecting off wolf spiders’ eyes.
Wolf Spider vs. Brown Recluse
Brown recluses are smaller, smooth, and evenly colored, with a violin mark and no stripes. Wolf spiders are bigger, hairier, and patterned. See our Brown recluse spider guide.
Why Wolf Spiders Come Inside
Wolf spiders mostly live outdoors, but they wander in through gaps under doors and around foundations, especially in late summer and fall, when males search for mates and temperatures drop. Indoors, they’re usually found on floors, in basements, garages, and bathrooms.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
No. Wolf spiders avoid people and bite only if handled or trapped. A bite may cause pain, redness, and swelling similar to a bee sting. Wash it and use a cold compress, and see a doctor if symptoms worsen or signs of infection appear.
How to Keep Wolf Spiders Out
- Seal gaps: Add door sweeps and seal cracks around foundations, windows, and pipes.
- Clear the perimeter: Remove leaf litter, mulch buildup, woodpiles, and debris near the house.
- Reduce insects: Yellow outdoor bulbs attract fewer of the insects wolf spiders hunt.
- Declutter basements and garages: Fewer hiding places means fewer spiders.
When to Call a Professional
If you’re seeing wolf spiders often, a perimeter treatment reduces both the spiders and the insects drawing them in. See our spider control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wolf spiders dangerous?
No. They bite only if handled or trapped, and a bite is usually similar to a bee sting.
Why are wolf spiders coming in my house?
In late summer and fall, males search for mates and cooling weather pushes spiders to seek shelter, so they wander in through gaps under doors and around foundations.
How can I tell a wolf spider from a brown recluse?
Wolf spiders are larger, hairy, and striped. Brown recluses are smaller, smooth, evenly colored, and have a violin mark.
Why is a spider carrying a white ball?
That’s a female wolf spider carrying her egg sac.
Do wolf spiders build webs?
No. They hunt by running down prey on the ground.
