​Throughout the world there are over 42,000 identified species of spiders, and scientists estimate that there may be 40,000-100,000 more species that are not identified. That may be terrifying for people with a fear of spiders (arachnophobia), but spiders are actually great for the ecosystem. In Toronto alone, spiders eat nearly 12 million kg of insects every year. The following are some of the common spider species in Toronto.

Wolf Spiders (hogna helluo or tigrosa helluo)
Wolf spiders are hunters. They do not make webs, but instead run down or wait for their prey. They are strong and agile with very good eyesight. Wolf spiders are brown in color with a well defined stripe that runs from the middle of their eyes to their abdomen. The underside of the cephalothorax is black, while the underside of their abdomen may have lighter patches. Wolf spiders are great for eating garden pests, like aphids. 

Sealing your home is an excellent way to prevent spiders and many other pests from entering. Spiders can get through very tiny openings, so even small cracks and gaps should be sealed. Use caulk on these small crevices, and expandable spray foam can be used to fill larger holes. It is also important to check that all your doors and windows have a tight seal with intact weather stripping. If the screens have holes or tears, they should be replaced or repaired.