How To Keep Wolf Spiders Out of Pool

Were you enjoying a dip in your pool on a nice, sunny day, and suddenly, seeing an eight-legged wolf spider accompanying you in the water scared the devil out of you?

Well, seeing a wolf spider floating around the pool is not that much of a pleasing sight.

So, how can you keep these pesky wolf spiders out of the pool? Let’s find out.

Wolf spiders are known for chasing and hunting their prey, and while doing so, they might invade your pools. But don’t worry; we have got you all covered. In this blog, we will tell you about eight ways you can use to hush them out. So, keep scrolling!

8 Easy Ways To Get Rid of Wolf Spiders in Pool

Although wolf spiders are not harmful to humans, killing them with bare hands can be pretty dangerous.

But who wants to hold them with bare hands anyway!

So, to save you from all this trouble, we have listed some of the best methods to get rid of wolf spiders in your pool area.

1. Clean Your Pool

It might sound like a no-brainer, but you should clean your pool. As mentioned above, wolf spiders get into the pool for food. So, a swimming pool full of dirt, molds, bugs, spider webs, or leaves attracts the wolf spiders more.

So cleaning your pool every two weeks will ensure it’s free from all kinds of attractions for spiders.

You can also use a net to pick out the larger debris and a pool vacuum to remove dirt particles.

In addition, you can use a broom or scrubber to clean the mold or algae around the edges of your pool, if it has any.

However, if it doesn’t go away, you can use the following methods;

1. Take a stiff-bristled brush and wet it with water.
2. Now, using the brush, scrub the mold or algae stains in circular motions.
3. If you find yourself dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, try adding 1 tbsp baking soda to the brush before scrubbing. This should help to break up the stain more easily.

2. Remove Plants/ Clutter From Pool Area

Wolf spiders don’t make webs; instead, they live in dark, hidden spots in the things like plants, furniture, or debris. If you have such items near your swimming area, there is a high chance that a wolf spider might take a dip in your pool.

So to avoid this, make your space less attractive to them by eliminating places they like to hide, such as cluttered areas and piles of firewood. Plants are the primary living space for the wolf spiders to look for their hunt. So dig the plants out and replant them somewhere away from the pool.

The farthest the plants are, the better it is to keep the wolf spiders out of the pool. But while doing so, you need to be careful as a spider might be hiding there.

3. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth Around the Pool

Diatomaceous earth is a natural and effective way to eliminate spiders. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized algae that work as a natural pesticide. It produces small cuts on the spider’s body and breaks down its skeletal system upon coming in contact with it. This process can take a few hours to a few days.

The best way to use diatomaceous earth is to sprinkle it around the perimeter of your pool. However, diatomaceous earth does not work in wet environments. Thus, do not add it to the pool but only around it.

Sprinkle it on the sides of your swimming pool where the water does not reach. Plus, if it rains, you would need to reapply the diatomaceous earth.

There are a few precautions that you have to take while sprinkling DE around your pool or house.

1. Always wear a mask when handling the powder. The fine particles can easily get into your eyes or nose and cause irritation.
2. Try to avoid skin contact. The powder is absorbent and can quickly dry out your skin. If you get DE on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
3. Keep your pets away from the powder. Just as DE can cause irritation in humans, it can have the same effect on your furry friends.

4. Place Spider Repellent Plants

If you’re looking for a natural way to keep wolf spiders out of your pool, try using peppermint and eucalyptus plants!

Both plants have strong scents that spiders dislike. Place these plants near the perimeter of your pool to keep the wolf spiders away.

You can purchase peppermint plants at your local nursery or online. You may also be able to find eucalyptus plants at your local nursery, but if not, you can use eucalyptus essential oils on cotton balls instead.

Keep in mind that the eucalyptus plant needs a lot of sunlight, so make sure to place it in an area where it will get plenty of sunlight.

5. Use Essential Oils

You can also use chestnut, lavender, chestnut, tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils as spider repellents. Wolf spiders are not fans of the robust and citrusy smell of essential oils. Many spiders use their legs to sniff out potential mates.

They will also avoid areas that have strong smells, especially if those smells would require direct contact.

This is likely because strong smells can be overwhelming for spiders, and they can also be used to mask the scent of prey. As a result, spiders typically steer clear of heavily scented areas.

Just add a few drops of these in your pool, and you’ll say goodbye to wolf spiders for a while, at least. However, we would not suggest chestnut and peppermint oils if you or anyone else in your house has an allergy to any of these.

6. Place Spider Traps

Another foolproof method to keep wolf spiders out of the pool is a spider trap.

A spider trap is a piece of sticky glue cardboard with an adhesive side that catches and sticks anything that goes across it. Similarly, wolf spiders get stuck if they happen to cross it.

Place spider traps around your pool in the areas where the chances of wolf spiders being present are high, such as corners of your yard or edges of the pool.

Once the trap is full, put it in the bin and place a new one. However, make sure the traps are kept away from the reach of children and pets.

7. Switch Your Outdoor Lighting

Insects and bugs- a wolf spider’s usual prey- get attracted to bright outdoor lighting at night. That, in turn, brings wolf spiders into the vicinity to search for food.

It is best to keep the outdoor lights off at night so that no pests can be there, hence no spiders. If you need to keep the lights open, direct them away from the pool or change them to a sodium vapor bulb. It does not attract many insects, making it a good wolf spider repellent.

8. Repair Your Pool Cage

If you have a pool cage around your pool area and still get wolf spiders in your pool, your pool cage might need repair. Repair damaged screen panels to reduce the size of holes and access points around your pool.

The most common place for gaps in your screen doors is below the door itself. Many times, the bug sweep (or weather stripping) is not installed correctly, leaving a gap that bugs can easily slip through. To prevent this, make sure the sweep is properly installed and aligned with the door.

You can also consider installing a door bottom seal to create an additional barrier against wolf spiders. Also, the caulk seal of the pool cage can wear out over time, giving access to spiders. Check for any gaps and access points for the spiders to walk through.

Takeaway

Wolf spiders can be a real pain, especially in your pools. If an eight-legged creature is present in your swimming pool, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. You can use a net to take the spider out of the pool and use the above methods to ensure they don’t come back.

Diatomaceous earth, peppermint oil, and spider traps are particularly efficient options to get rid of wolf spiders from your pool.