All You Need To Know About Wolf Spiders

All You Need To Know About Wolf Spiders

Perhaps the first word that comes to mind when discussing a wolf spider is that they are very intimidating. The wolf spider is quite large in comparison to other spiders, ranging upwards of an inch or more not counting the legs. The wolf spider will bite when feeling threatened; however, their venom is rather weak and not harmful to humans. The most you can expect to experience is usually no more than some redness and swelling, but nothing more serious than that has been reported.

The coloring of the wolf spider results in a rather camouflaged appearance of brown, grey, tan, and black with some darker markings. This helps them when hunting their prey as well as protecting them against predators. The wolf spider can be found in almost any corner of the world as long as there is a good supply of insects available for food.

Wolf spiders have incredible night vision and do most of their hunting in the dark. They do not spin webs for which to catch their prey but rather depend on their size and strength to overpower insects. The wolf spider burrows into the ground rather than nesting in a web. Even then, the female will carry her egg sac with her rather than leaving it unprotected.

Mating time is quite risky for the male as they are sometimes killed by the female after the mating has taken place. Those males who do survive will often mate again. The mated female will lay approximately 100 eggs which she will encase in a sac that she carries with her. When the eggs are developed and ready to hatch, the female wolf spider will rip the egg sac open and release her baby spiders. The spiderlings will then climb onto the female’s body and stay with her for a couple weeks until mature enough to be on their own.

With their reproductive ability, wolf spiders can populate a home rather quickly. Even though they have a tendency to burrow into the ground, they will come inside from time to time. Although their bite is not dangerous, it is recommended that professional help is called on for eradication. While there are prevention tips that will help prevent an invasion of wolf spiders, contacting Russell’s Pest Control is advisable for control of a wolf spider infestation. Our Power Programs, designed to prevent and protect, will protect you from wolf spiders plus 30 or more other household pests with guaranteed year round pest free protection.

Cold Winter Weather Makes Home More Vulnerable To Termite Infestations

Cold Winter Weather Makes Home More Vulnerable To Termite Infestations

Oh, the weather outside may be frightful, but what is going on inside the walls of unprotected homes can be even more frightful. Snow, ice, and wind are notorious for leaving properties damaged come springtime, and this can leave homes vulnerable to the most destructive pests. Namely, termites. This article will alert you to the property threats that are posed by these wood-eating insects, and will give several do-it-yourself tips on how to detect and prevent an infestation.

Termites, which cost property owners more than $5 billion annually, are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability of chew through many parts of your home completely undetected. Things like wood, flooring, and even wallpaper can be destroyed silently without anyone even noticing, until it is too late. And most homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage.

In springtime, termites will come out of hiding in search of mates and to find new structures in which to establish new colonies which, if we are unlucky, may be our homes. Unfortunately, these insects can be hard to spot, so it is important for homeowners to know the signs of termite activity. The following is a list of the three top things to look out for:

  1. Discarded wings. These are usually found near closed windows, doors, and other access points. When termites swarm to start a new colony, they twist off their wings upon landing, because they will never use those wings again. These wings will be white in color and uniform in size.

  2. Mud Tubes. Where the ground meets your home, these pencil-sized mud tubes will be found if you have termites. To find out if these tubes are actively being used, break off a piece and then check it a few days later. If it has been repaired, you are looking at an active termite infestation.

  3. Wood damage. Termites chew through wood, leaving behind long grooves. Over time, these grooves weaken the wood and cause costly structural damage.

Some valuable tips to prevent a termite infestation:

  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home, and up off the ground.

  • Create an 18-inch gap around your home between soil and wood by using crushed rock or some other material.

  • Make sure there is no standing water near your home.

  • Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around your foundation.

  • Repair soffits and rotted roof shingles

  • Repair any water leaks inside and outside your home.

  • Keep your home, especially the basement, attic, and crawl spaces, dry and well ventilated.

If you have done all you can to keep these home-destroying pests out, but you are seeing the signs of an infestation, consider having a termite inspection done. The sooner you get these creatures out of your home, the less cash you will have to shell out for repairs. Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we’ve been helping folks keep their homes pest free since 1971 and our pest control technicians have a Category 7 certification, which is classified as Industrial, Institutional, Structural Pest Control and Health-Related Pest Control. If you have a problem with termites, you can trust Russell’s Pest Control to give you industry-leading service and guaranteed protection.