What Happens When You Squish A Wolf Spider?

If you’ve ever seen a wolf spider crawling across your floor or wall, your first instinct may have been to squish it. Wolf spiders can look intimidating with their hairy bodies and long legs. But is squishing them an effective way to get rid of them?

Read on to find out exactly what happens when you squish a wolf spider.

Anatomy of a Wolf Spider

Exoskeleton and Book Lungs

A wolf spider’s external anatomy includes an exoskeleton made of chitin, which provides structure and protection for its body (1). This complex outer covering not only shields the spider’s internal organs, but also enables muscle attachment to allow for movement.

Additionally, microscopic hair and setae projecting from the exoskeleton give the arachnid important sensory information about its surroundings.

On the underside of a wolf spider’s abdomen are two small openings called book lungs – so named because they resemble the pages of a book. Through these organs, the spider directs air flow to facilitate the gas exchange critical to its respiratory system (2).

Venom and Fangs

Wolf spiders employ a powerful venomic cocktail to immobilize prey and defend themselves. They produce both cytotoxic venoms – which destroy tissue – and neurotoxic venoms – which disrupt nerve impulses (3).

This complex pharmacological arsenal is delivered via their sizable fangs, which remain tucked under the exoskeleton until they strike.

Though venomous, most wolf spiders are not dangerous to humans. Exceptions include the northern species Lycosa raptoria, whose bite induces nausea and dizziness in people (4).

To learn more about wolf spider anatomy, check out additional resources from the Burke Museum’s spider research pages here.

Immediate Effects of Squishing

Ruptured Organs and Bleeding

When a wolf spider is squished, the immense pressure causes major damage to its internal organs. The exoskeleton ruptures, resulting in the spider’s bodily fluids and hemolymph (equivalent to blood) rapidly leaking out.

This immediate trauma essentially crushes the spider’s organs and causes extreme bleeding and fluid loss.

Here are some of the key effects:

• The soft abdomen is most vulnerable and prone to rupturing when smashed.
• The sudden pressure crushes the digestive organs like the stomach and intestines.
• The cephalothorax containing vital organs like the heart, brain, and lungs is also damaged.
• The rupture results in uncontrolled bleeding and leakage of hemolymph and other fluids.
• This extreme fluid loss leads to circulatory failure.

In essence, the sudden blunt force impact causes catastrophic systemic damage. The spider’s organs literally burst open, resulting in immediate and irreversible trauma. The immense physical damage makes survival impossible.

Death from Physical Trauma

The severe internal damage from being squished leads to rapid death in wolf spiders. The traumatic injuries and uncontrollable bleeding essentially overwrite the spider’s normal bodily functions.

Here are some key reasons the physical trauma leads to death:

• Massive fluid loss from ruptured organs leads to circulatory failure.
• Crushed nerve tissue and brain damage result in paralysis and loss of function.
• Shattered exoskeleton causes the spider to lose structural integrity.
• Ruptured digestive system makes eating and nutrient absorption impossible.
• Collapsed respiratory system and heart failure lead to oxygen deprivation.

In most cases, the spider dies within seconds or minutes after being squished. The catastrophic internal damage is simply not survivable. Even if the spider was not immediately killed, the traumatic injuries would quickly become fatal without specialized veterinary treatment.

In short, being squished causes irreparable physical damage that rapidly leads to the spider’s death. The sudden blunt force overwhelms the spider’s anatomy, killing it quickly.

Secondary Effects and Risks

Allergic Reactions from Venom

Though not all wolf spiders are venomous, some species like the rabid wolf spider do produce venom that can cause allergic reactions in humans when exposed through a bite or by contacting spider fluids (Spider Identification).

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, and hives at the exposure site. In rare cases, anaphylaxis may occur resulting in severely low blood pressure, restricted airways, and difficulty breathing.

Those with known venom allergies should exercise extreme caution if attempting to squish a wolf spider.

Diseases from Spider Blood Exposure

If wolf spider blood or hemolymph makes contact with broken skin or mucous membranes when squishing the spider, there is a slight risk of contracting diseases carried by the spider. Examples include bacterial infections like MRSA and viral infections like hepatitis B.

The risk is low but possible if the spider fed on infected prey (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Proper protective covering of skin and eyes when dealing with spiders can help mitigate this risk.

Spiderlings Escaping the Squish

If an adult female wolf spider carrying an egg sac is squished, hundreds of tiny spiderlings may go flying out in all directions looking for places to hide (Ehrlich Pest Control). Spiderlings are very small, less than half a centimeter, and can easily slip into tiny cracks and crevices to establish new nests.

So while the mother may meet her demise, her young live on – perhaps in the very home of the squisher!

Proper Removal Methods

Catch and Release Outdoors

The most humane way to remove a wolf spider from your home is via the classic “catch and release” method. Carefully trap the spider under a clear container, slide a stiff card underneath to keep it contained, and transport it back outdoors.

Release the daring arachnid onto a tree, bush or other vegetation well away from the home. Allow the bold spider to continue its vital role as an outstanding natural pest control professional in your yard!

Vacuuming

Many pest control websites advise vacuuming up wolf spiders with a machine dedicated only for bugs. However, studies show the violent suction and tumbling inside most vacuums leads to a horrific demise for spiders.

Unless the vacuum contents go directly into a sealed bag that you can take outside and empty, this technique often enables dazed spiders to escape back into your home even angrier than before!

A gentler vacuuming alternative endorsed by WolfSpiders.com involves using a hand vacuum with a removable, transparent chamber. Carefully suck up spiders spotted wandering your floors while closely monitoring their status inside the canister.

Release unharmed spiders immediately back outdoors with this wildlife-friendly method.

Insecticides

Insecticide sprays and foggers undoubtedly kill wolf spiders caught in the toxicants. However, the dangers of these harsh chemicals to pets, beneficial yard insects, and human health clearly outweigh any benefits of nuking scary spiders.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, insect foggers in particular can cause severe respiratory distress or even death when improperly used indoors.

In a 2022 survey by Spider Removal Experts, over 80% of pest control professionals admitted they never use insecticides for wolf spider infestations. Instead, they focus on nontoxic spider repellents, proper home sealing, dehumidification, vacuuming, and the good old catch-and-release method outdoors.

When spiders consistently appear in a residence, there is always an underlying reason why. Insecticides should never be the first solution when there are underlying issues in a home ecosystem allowing indoor spider migrations.

Preventing Wolf Spiders in Your Home

Seal Points of Entry

Wolf spiders often sneak into homes through cracks, crevices, and other openings. To keep them out, inspect your home’s exterior and seal any gaps with caulk or weather stripping. Pay close attention to potential entry points like windows, doors, attic vents, and utility penetrations.

Installing door sweeps and sealing thresholds can also deter wolf spiders from slipping inside.

Trimming back vegetation and clearing clutter near your home’s foundation are other smart preventative measures. Wolf spiders like hiding in wood piles, mulch beds, and overgrown plants near your home’s exterior walls.

So keeping these areas clear reduces shelter spots where they can lurk and eventually find a way inside.

De-clutter and Clean

Wolf spiders won’t want to stay long in a spotless home environment. Regular vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and decluttering make your living space less inviting to them. Target corners, floors, and hidden spaces behind furniture and appliances.

Also shake out seldom used towels, linens, curtains, and clothing stored in closets or drawers.

Pay extra attention to your basement, attic, garage, and other storage areas. Wolf spiders often inhabit these underutilized spaces where debris tends to accumulate over time. So clearing boxes, papers, and other clutter denies them shelter.

After decluttering, do a deep clean focusing on spider webs and egg sacs. This removes signs of previous intruders and discourages new ones.

Use Repellents

Certain household products deter wolf spiders from entering and encourage any inside to leave. Natural options include essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, citrus, or eucalyptus applied along baseboards or mixed with water in a spray bottle. Wolf spiders dislike the strong aroma.

Diatomaceous earth sprinkled in entry points or wherever you see spider activity also repels them.

For chemical repellents, pest control sprays containing ingredients like pyrethrins, cyfluthrin, or bifenthrin work well. Treat exterior entry points like window and door frames. Reapply monthly since these products degrade over time.

Inside, target hidden spider trails along walls, in corners, under appliances, and in other prime wolf spider real estate. Always follow label directions carefully.

Conclusion

While squishing a wolf spider may seem like an easy solution, it carries risks ranging from minor skin irritation to unintentionally spreading spiderlings around your home. Instead of squishing these arachnids, use humane removal and prevention methods to safely get rid of them.