Two brown spiders, two stories
One is a big, fast hunter you’ll see on the floor, and the other is a small, shy spider you’ll rarely see at all.
Size and hair.
Wolf spiders are larger and hairy. Brown recluse are smaller and smooth.
Eyes and marks.
Recluses have six eyes and a violin mark. Wolf spiders have eight eyes and stripes.
Both are covered.
Every recurring Rock Pest plan covers spiders, including brown recluse.
The quickest wolf spider vs brown recluse test is size and markings. Wolf spiders are big, hairy and striped, while brown recluse are smaller, smooth and plain tan with a dark violin shape. Both live in Kansas City homes, and both are covered on our home pest control plans.
Here’s how to tell them apart and what to do next. For more local species, see the top spiders in Kansas City.
Wolf spider vs brown recluse: which is bigger?
Wolf spiders are usually bigger. Larger species can have a body up to about an inch long and span two inches or more with legs.
A brown recluse body is about 3/8 inch long. With legs, it’s roughly the size of a quarter. If the spider looks large and bulky, it’s more likely a wolf spider.
How do their eyes and markings differ?
A brown recluse has six eyes in three pairs and a dark violin shape on its back. A wolf spider has eight eyes, including two large ones facing forward, and mottled brown or gray stripes.
Check the legs too:
- Brown recluse: legs are one solid color, smooth, with no bands.
- Wolf spider: legs are hairy and often banded or spotted.
Shine a flashlight across the floor at night. Wolf spider eyes often reflect the light back as tiny glints.
How do they behave?
Wolf spiders hunt in the open and run fast across floors, while brown recluse hide in undisturbed spots and come out at night. Wolf spiders don’t build webs, and brown recluse spin only small, loose webs in their hiding spots.
You’ll often see wolf spiders in basements, garages and near doors in fall. Female wolf spiders carry an egg sac and later carry their young on their backs. Brown recluse stay out of sight in boxes, closets, attics and clothes left on the floor.
Which one is dangerous?
The brown recluse is the one to take seriously. Wolf spiders can bite if handled, but they aren’t considered dangerous to most people. See a doctor if you think a brown recluse bit you or if any bite gets worse.
What should I do if I find either one?
Still stuck on wolf spider vs brown recluse? Catch it in a jar or take a clear photo, then show your tech. We treat both the same way, with an inspection, an exterior barrier, interior treatment where needed and web knockdown. We also dust from the attic access, a common hiding spot for brown recluse.
Keep spiders from moving in by sealing gaps and cutting clutter. Our post on what attracts spiders explains why they show up.
Want the full picture? Read about brown recluse spiders in Kansas City, the long-legged cellar spiders you’ll see in basements, and whether you eat spiders in your sleep.
Not sure which spider you’re seeing? Call 913-735-5451, answered 24/7, or schedule online. Most services can be scheduled same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
A wolf spider is large, hairy and striped with eight eyes, while a brown recluse is smaller, smooth and tan with six eyes and a violin mark. Solid colored legs with no bands point to a recluse.
No, wolf spiders aren’t considered dangerous to most people. They can bite if handled, so use a jar or paper to move one rather than your hand.
Yes, wolf spiders are common in Kansas City and often wander into basements, garages and ground floors, especially in fall. They hunt on the floor rather than building webs.
Yes, Rock Pest covers spiders, including wolf spiders and brown recluse, on every recurring home pest control plan. Free re-service between scheduled visits is included.
