A wolf spider bite produces a dangerous and painful experience. The wolf spider is a vicious predator and at times, it is mistaken for tarantula. Although wolf spider bites should be taken seriously, on the other hand, they are not always that fearful as their reputation. One needs to know the basic facts about the spider and how to identify its bites and the treatment that is needed. Wolf spiders are a large family of spider which are large, dark colored, and athletic.
Unlike most spiders that use their web to catch pretty, the wolf spiders do a violent hunting using their sturdy bodies and sharp eyesight. They also display unique parenting habits that have caught the attention of scientists. All spiders can come inside a home but wolf spiders mostly scurry under the gaps located below the doors.
Sighting wolf spiders is the main sign of their activity. When you find wolf spiders invading a structure, consider seeking a pest control service to eliminate them. Pennsylvania State University Entomology Department hints that wolf spider mostly bite when they are threatened however, their venom isn’t that much harmful to humans.
Victims who have a wolf spider bites often experience some redness and swelling but no severe medical problems have been cited.
Appearance of wolf spider
Wolf spiders are brown, grey, tan, or black and they have dark markings mostly stripes, according to Missouri Department of Conservation. The coloring of their body is an effective camouflage that helps them catch their prey and stay safe from their predators. The males are typically smaller than the females and the spiders range in size about 6.4 milli-centimeters to 3 centimeters long or a quarter of an inch to just over an inch.
The identification and symptoms of a wolf spider bite
The best way of identifying a wolf spider bite is getting a good look at the spider, which has caused by bite, and if that is not possible, or if it happens in a dark place, you may want to know how to identify it. The appearance of a wolf spider bites is characterized by fang marks and tears of skin, which may occur after the bite. This is especially so with large wolf spiders.
Another appearance is that the bitten areas red and tend to swells. The symptoms of a wolf spider bite presents in form of a pain that comes with the bite. After you have been bitten by this kind of spider, you will have pain that may last up to about 10 days and it is accompanied by swelling around the area and swelling of lymph glands. In some cases, your skin may become dark especially the parts around the bitten area.
Although a bite from wolf spider bite is considered venomous, meaning it is poisonous, it is not as fatal as it may be thought. The wolf spider bites are not as deadly and fatal as those from the dangerous species of spiders such as the hobo, back widow, and brown recluse spider in regard to the damage and the harm they are likely to cause.
In severe cases, a bite may become infected thereby leading to complications. In order to prevent this, you need to ensure proper care and treatment whenever you have a wolf spider bite.
How to avoid the wolf spider bites
Wolf spider bites are not usually seen in homes although the spiders can inhibit homes in times of autumn and winter when they seek for warmer places for have shelter. These are active hunters and they do not create the spin web to catch their prey. They usually stalk and pounce their prey using their agility and fast reflexes.
Many people believe that these spiders deliberately try to bite people. However, many wolf spider bites occur because of ignorance of people and the fear of the spiders. Therefore, a wolf spider does not set out with intend of biting someone. It is only when it is threatened or startled and afraid that it can do the biting.
A wolf spider mostly looks more scarier that it is it— this is the same with the spider itself, it looks so scaring than it is. Therefore, if you see a wolf spider, refrain from disturbing it.
Wolf spider bite treatment
A bite from wolf spider should ensure proper care and treatment to prevent complications. Like all wounds, the bite needs to be washed and cleaned. An antibiotic ointment may be applied in body so that it kills bacteria. These are animals and they tend to carry with them bacteria, so at the time of biting or soon after the bite, bacteria could enter the body.
A cold towel may be placed over the painful and swollen area to relieve the pain and reduce the spread of venom. You should monitor the progress of the symptoms and if you have high fever or some other symptoms, you can see a doctor. A lesion developing on the bitten part or a tissue death might have been due to a misidentified spider and therefore, a medical attention should be sought immediately.
Wolf Spider Bite – Pictures
