WOLF SPIDER BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER – WHICH IS IT?
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A wolf spider and a brown recluse spider are two of the most feared spiders in North America. The biggest difference between these two is that the brown recluse’s venom can be deadly, while the wolf spider’s venom will cause mild symptoms like a headache or nausea. Homeowners and small business owners alike want to know how they can identify these spiders before they accidentally kill one on their property. If you see a fuzzy looking spider with thin legs, it could be a wolf spider. Brown recluses have dark markings on their head region and eight spindly legs, so if you believe you’ve found either type of arachnid please, contact an exterminator as soon as possible.
Are you afraid of spiders?
You’re not alone. Many people are very frightened by the idea of a spider crawling on them, or worse yet, biting them. Spiders can be scary and dangerous creatures that we all want to avoid if possible. But what do these eight-legged beasts look like? How do they act? What should you know about them before you go outside your home again? Let’s take a closer look at the wolf spider and brown recluse so that we can learn more about how to identify these creepy crawlers in our homes and yards.
Spiders are everywhere, and it’s important to know the difference between a wolf spider and a brown recluse. Wolf spiders are more prevalent in Middle Tennessee than brown recluses, but both can be dangerous if they bite you. If you get bitten by either type of spider, make sure to clean the wound with soap and water immediately. You should also see a doctor as soon as possible for treatment options.
Wolf spiders

The wolf spider is one of the most common species found throughout North America, but it does have some unique features which make it easy to distinguish from other types of spiders. First off, this particular species has long legs with dark bands on its joints; another way to tell whether or not a spider is a wolf spider is by looking at their eyes – they have six eyes arranged in three pairs (dyads) across their face instead of four pairs (tetrads). They range in size from about 1/2 inch to 2 inches long are hairy and can be gray or brown.
They also don’t spin webs for catching prey because they hunt using sight rather than scent; however, female wolf spiders will carry their eggs on their backs. The babies ride on her back until they are independent enough on their own. This makes the wolf spider an excellent mother who cares deeply for her young. Therefore, it is only natural that she will do whatever it takes to protect her young.
According to Oklahoma State University’s Etymology Department, you are much more likely to encounter a wolf spider in the fall; as they are trying to take shelter in a warm place for the winter. Wolf spiders usually avoid people. So, you may find them lurking in your basement, garage, attic, closets, or even your house plants.
If you have ever opened your front door to find an eight-legged intruder, then there’s a good chance that spider was a wolf spider. You may be wondering if this is good or bad news. On the one hand, these spiders are not known to carry any harmful diseases and they do eat other bugs in your home. However, on the other hand, their bites can cause pain for some people and they also tend to live indoors instead of outside where most people prefer them!
Brown recluse spiders

Many Middle Tennessee residents have discovered brown recluse spiders in their neighborhoods. This has caused them to become very concerned about what they can do to protect themselves, their homes, and their businesses. For many, it’s hard enough imaging being bitten by a brown recluse spider, but now many Tennesseans have noticed that brown recluse spiders are showing up inside of their houses.
It is estimated that there are over 2,000 species of spiders in the world. Of these, only about 50-60 have been found to be dangerous to humans. One of these is the brown recluse spider which lives in Middle Tennessee and throughout most of the US southeast region. The brown recluse has a dark violin pattern on its back with a lighter-colored stomach. It also has six eyes instead of eight like most spiders. What makes this critter so dangerous? Well for starters they don’t always inject venom when biting people but their bites can lead to necrosis or even death if left untreated! In recent years there have been more reported cases in Middle Tennessee than ever before with some experts estimating that one out of 100 homes will contain a colony of brown recluse spiders.
The most dangerous thing about this creepy crawler is that people often confuse it with other less harmful spiders, such as the hobo spider and the wolf spider. The result? Homeowners who think they have a harmless creature lurking on their property or small business owners whose customers are afraid to enter because of an imagined threat from a non-existent brown recluse! In order to prevent confusion, there are some things you need to know about the brown recluse. It’s likely that you will not see them during the day; as they prefer dark areas with lots of clutter. They often come out at night when it’s cooler outside.
It is likely that you will find them in a group – due to the rate at which they reproduce, but brown recluse spiders are typically loners. They prefer warm and dark areas and tend to locate themselves in dark, cluttered areas that are not often frequented by humans. That’s why locating their nesting grounds can be difficult.
Common storage areas like closets, attics, cellars, and basements are especially prone to housing brown recluse spiders. You may find a group of brown recluse spiders in the following areas:
- clothes and shoes
- bedding and other furniture
- boxes
- cabinets
- behind picture frames
Have you seen a brown recluse spider in your home?
Brown recluse spiders are poisonous and can be very deadly. Learn everything you need to know to keep your family safe. Brown recluse spiders prefer a very particular kind of environment to thrive and survive. They like dark, dry places that are undisturbed by humans or pets. If you see one, it’s likely there will be more than just the one! You should contact pest control immediately if you spot these dangerous creatures in your home so they can take care of them before they multiply and cause harm to your loved ones.
Don’t let this happen to anyone else – call us today for an inspection at (800) 998-2088! We will come out ASAP and remove all brown recluses from your property safely without harming any other insects or animals that may live within the area as well. Our team is highly trained with years of experience handling these types of situations so we know exactly how to get rid of them quickly while also protecting our customers from harmful bites or stings during treatment time! We even offer free inspections for new customers who want peace of mind about their homes being completely clear from any type of pests whatsoever! Call now before it’s too late!
Action: Click here right now for a free quote on getting rid of brown recluses once and for all!
How to identify them

Wolf spiders are typically larger than brown recluse spiders, are more than half an inch long, and have a brown or black color. They often have a striped pattern on their body.

Brown recluse spiders, on the other hand, are only about one-quarter of an inch long and have a dark violin shape on their back. What makes identification even more difficult is that wolf spider bites can produce the same symptoms as those caused by brown recluse bites – pain, redness, itching at the site of bite. Fortunately there is no need to panic because you can usually tell which spider bit you by looking for certain characteristics like size and markings on its body. All you need to do is match up your findings with this list below; if it’s not clear then take some pictures!
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wolf spider brown recluse bites
If a spider perceives you as a threat, its natural response is to bite you. How dangerous is the bite of a wolf spider vs. a brown recluse spider? And, what should you do if you or your family suffers from their bite?
Wolf Spider Bites
The wolf spider is more prevalent than the brown recluse. They are not dangerous, but they can bite if provoked. Very similar to most bug bites, a wolf spider bite looks like a red bump that may blister and itch for up to two weeks. Although they are not poisonous, bites from a wolf spider can result in facial swelling and breathing difficulty in some individuals. If you have any concerns or questions about spiders, please contact your doctor immediately!
Brown Recluse Bites
A brown recluse bite can be difficult to diagnose because they start off much like many other bug bites – often painless with a single pimple where the bite occurred. But as soon as 2 hours later, that pimple can blister, and the surrounding skin can die. A few hours later, victims often see a red ring surrounding the bite and sinking of the skin as it turns a blue or black color as the tissues are dying, according to WebMD. According to The Agriculture Extension Service at The University of Tennessee, brown recluse spider bites can even lead to death, kidney failure, and other blood abnormalities.
Have you seen a spider in your home?
Dangerous facts about the brown recluse spider
The brown recluse spider is a common spider in Middle Tennessee. The most dangerous thing about this creepy crawler is that people often confuse it with other less harmful spiders, such as the hobo spider and the wolf spider. The result? Homeowners who think they have a harmless creature lurking on their property or small business owners whose customers are afraid to enter because of an imagined threat from a non-existent brown recluse! In order to prevent confusion, there are some things you need to know about the brown recluse:
- Prefer dark areas with lots of clutter.
- Often come out at night when it’s cooler outside, so be sure you’re checking for them during daylight hours too.
- Occupy undisturbed areas outside and inside of the home.
- Outside brown recluse spiders hibernate, biting most often between March and October.
- Can live without food or water for months.
- Prefer to occupy cracks and other gaps.
Spiders are very prevalent in Tennessee. A trained professional is your best option to protect your family from pests. Our technicians have the knowledge and expertise needed to identify spider infestations, remove them safely, and help you take preventative steps against future problems–all without using harmful chemicals that could harm pets or children! If you think spiders may be an issue at home or work, contact Alpha Termite & Pest Control today for a free inspection. You can also call us if you need more information about how we’ve helped other Tennesseans with their residential and commercial pest control needs—we’re always happy to chat!