Crying Wolf!

There is a wolf in my garden!!! Actually, at any given time, there are most likely many, many in my garden and yard. This fact does not bother me in the least..or so I say. To be truthful, the first time I saw this wolf it gave me the heebie-jeebies! I saw one several weeks ago as I was picking the few remaining green peas and yes, it startled me. It was so huge and had scary eyes! I must admit that I tried to shoo it from the peapatch and wound up killing the rascal in the process. I was upset as I do not like to kill any of the varmints in the yard unless absolutely necessary. Then today, there was another. It looked so much like the first one only a mite larger. Had the wolf''s friend come back to harm me? Was there a pack of them nearby? I have seen their eyes shining in the beam of my flashlight many, many times as I would be outside at night. I was not nearly as frightened this time..once you see one wolf..you pretty much lose any fear. That is one thing about living on a Bayou..there are plenty of critters! This wolf was just one of many and this one meant no harm I am sure. It was just there to catch some unsuspecting prey. The wolf in this case being a Wolf Spider.

The one today, was a nice size specimen..every bit of an inch across not counting the legs! It sat and looked at me as I weeded the green beans. I stared at it.."Don't come any closer now, Mr. Wolf!" I did not want to chase this one from the bean rows for the simple reason that it might protect the young plants from any caterpillars or stinkbugs. (At least, I hope it eats stinkbugs!) The earlier spider had refused to budge when I tried to shoo it from the peapatch. It tried to intimidate me with a show of defiance..it stood its ground. There was a small jar sitting on the gatepost. Aha! I thought perhaps I could trap the spider in the jar and then move it out of my way. I grabbed the jar and slammed it down atop the arachnid! Got him! Now to move it to the other side of the garden. oooops! Uhhh..well, I had him alright. When I slammed the jar down, I sort of missed and smacked poor Mr. Wolf Spider right in two. Sorry! No more spider. I really did feel bad..for a few minutes. But now there is another. I shooed the spider..yay!..this one ran for cover! Perhaps it had witnessed the massacre of a few weeks earlier and decided that it was no match for my super strength! Or perhaps it just had a little sense and took its leave to be on the safe side. Whatever, I was happy to be arachnid-free as I finished weeding the green beans!

Wolf Spiders are quite the fierce-looking arachnids. They can grow to be a sizely creature but are generally mild-natured. By this, I mean, that they usually will not bite unless provoked. If you accidentally smish one..you will receive a nasty bite. The bite is venomous and is dangerous but not lethal. Swelling, severe pain and itching can occur. So be careful! One unique feature of this spider is its eyes. The Wolf Spider has eight eyes arranged in three rows..four small eyes on the bottom row, two large eyes in the middle and two medium size eyes on top. It is these eyes that reflect the beam of a flashlight. Go out after dark, hold a flashlight about level with your eyes and shine it around the yard. The "eyes" looking back at you are most likely those of a spider and even more likely to be those of a Wolf Spider! Egads! They are everywhere! Wolves are in our yards and gardens..they are on our decks and patios..wait..they are even on the sides of the house? Maybe..just maybe they are inside as well? They very well can be..especially during the winter months. They will seek shelter and can be brought inside with houseplants, firewood and stored lawn decorations. Fun stuff there, eh?