Yellow Sac Spider
Cheiracanthium inclusum
Pest Stats
Color
Pale yellow to tan, with dark brown tips on the legs and jaws
Size
Body ¼ to ⅜ inch. Leg span up to about 1 inch
Shape
Slim body and long legs. The front legs are the longest
Region
Throughout Florida, in gardens, shrubs, and inside homes
What is a yellow sac spider?
The yellow sac spider is a small, pale hunting spider found throughout Florida. It does not build a web to catch food. Instead, it hunts at night and spends the day resting inside a tiny silk sac, which is how it got its name. It is one of the spiders homeowners most often find crawling on walls and ceilings.
What do yellow sac spiders look like?
Yellow sac spiders are easy to miss because of their small size and pale color.
- Color: pale yellow, beige, or light tan, often with a faint orange-brown stripe down the top of the abdomen.
- Dark tips: the ends of the legs, the jaws, and the palps (small arms near the mouth) are dark brown. That is why some people call it the black-footed yellow sac spider.
- Legs: long and thin, with the front pair longer than the rest.
- Eyes: eight small eyes in two rows. Unlike jumping spiders, they rely more on touch than on sight.
Is it a brown recluse? Probably not. A brown recluse is darker brown with a violin-shaped mark on its back. A yellow sac spider is pale yellow with dark-tipped legs and no violin mark. You can also learn how to tell recluses apart from the southern house spider.
Where do wolf spiders live?
Wolf spiders live on the ground. According to UF/IFAS, some dig burrows, while others hide under debris during the day and come out to hunt at night. Around South Florida homes, look for them here:
- Lawns and garden beds, especially in thick grass and mulch
- Under pavers, boards, and firewood stacked near the house
- Along foundations and siding, where they hide in gaps
- In garages and sheds, where clutter gives them cover
- Indoors along baseboards and under furniture, after slipping in under doors
What do wolf spiders eat?
Wolf spiders eat insects, other spiders, and small arthropods. Around Florida homes, that includes crickets, cockroaches, and grasshoppers.
They hunt by sight and by feeling vibrations through the ground. When prey gets close, they run it down and grab it, with no web needed.
Are wolf spiders dangerous?
For most people, no. Wolf spiders are not aggressive, and they would much rather run than bite.
- They bite only when handled or trapped against skin, for example inside a shoe or glove.
- According to Penn State Extension, a bite causes pain, redness, and some swelling that usually goes away within 24 hours.
- Their size and speed are what scare most people, not their venom.
- Shake out shoes, gloves, and gardening gear that have been sitting in the garage.
Management of wolf spiders
Spraying a wolf spider you see in the living room does not stop the next one. They come from outside, and they follow the insects they eat.
At Wise House Pest Control, we focus on the outside of your home, where the problem starts:
- Inspection of doors, garage seals, and the foundation to find how spiders get in
- Exterior perimeter treatment that is safe for families and pets
- Reducing the crickets, cockroaches, and other insects that draw wolf spiders close
- Advice on mulch, debris, and lighting changes that make your yard less inviting
For homes in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Port St. Lucie, our maintenance plans keep spiders and the insects they hunt under control all year.
Need Help Getting Rid of wolf spiders?
Contact Wise House Pest Control at (561) 727-8239 in Palm Beach County or (772) 783-4300 on the Treasure Coast for more information and a free quote on spider control services.
6 ways to keep wolf spiders out of your home
Wolf spiders walk in, so the goal is to close the doors they use. If they keep showing up, a professional can find the gaps you missed.
Install door sweeps
Most wolf spiders walk in under doors. Door sweeps and good garage door seals close that gap.
Seal cracks in the foundation
Caulk gaps around the foundation, windows, and where pipes and cables enter the house.
Pull mulch and debris away from the house
Keep mulch, leaf piles, boards, and firewood a few feet from your walls. These are favorite daytime hiding spots.
Cut down on outdoor lighting
Lights near doors attract insects, and wolf spiders follow their food. Use yellow bug lights or motion sensor lights.
Declutter the garage
Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes, and keep things off the floor where spiders hide.
Schedule routine pest control
Regular residential pest control keeps the insects that feed wolf spiders under control, inside and out.
Our Customers Love Us!
See What They Are Saying
- Michael C.
- John U
- Benjamin N.
- Bob G.
- Aaron C.
Dedicated To Being The Pest Control Company You Can Rely On
Request a professional estimate!
Wise House News Flash
Learn Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Family and Pets Safer
Have Questions? We've Got Answers
Spider Control Services FAQ