Pest Guide · Lake of the Ozarks
Dock Spiders (Fishing Spiders): how they live, why they invade & how to get rid of them
If you own a dock at the Lake, you know these - the big spiders webbing the boat lift and running the seawall. Most folks call them wolf spiders, but the dock dweller is actually the dock spider (fishing spider) - true wolf spiders hunt on the ground, not the water. Dock spiders aren't dangerous, but they're large, they're constant, and we're here to help keep your dock pest and bug free. This is the pest we're known for.
How dock spiders live
Dock spiders are hunters that thrive at the water's edge because that's where the insects are. They shelter in dock framing, under decking, in seawall cracks, and around lights that draw their prey. Webs on the lift and rails are constant because the food supply - mayflies, midges, mosquitoes - never stops at the shoreline.
Why they come into your home
They follow the bugs. Dock lights, moisture, and the endless insect activity over the water concentrate their food right where you dock and swim. Treat the whole waterfront footprint - dock, lift, seawall, boat house - or they simply move a few feet and rebuild.
Signs of a dock spiders problem
- Webs across the boat lift, rails, and door frames each morning
- Large spiders running the seawall and dock at night
- Egg sacs tucked in dock framing and under decking
- Clouds of small insects around dock lights (their food)
How to get rid of dock spiders
Knock the webs down and they're back by morning, because the food source is right there. Lasting control means treating the whole waterfront on a seasonal schedule - dock, lift, seawall, and boat house - timed to summer spider pressure, plus reducing the insects that draw them. This is our specialty; see our dock & marina service.
How to keep them out
- Knock down webs regularly to keep numbers down
- Switch dock lights to yellow "bug" bulbs to attract fewer insects
- Keep dock framing and boat house clear of clutter
- Treat the full waterfront on a seasonal schedule
- Address moisture and debris where spiders shelter
Dealing with dock spiders at the Lake? All American has treated them since 1971 - local, licensed, and using no-odor products that are safe around kids and pets. We'll identify what you have and put together a plan that actually solves it.
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Family-owned since 1971 · Serving the Lake of the Ozarks