Hobo Spider

Facts About Hobo Spiders

Not a native of the United States, the hobo spider was brought to this country through international trade from Europe. The name “hobo spider ” has been adopted because of the way it spread to various cities on railways. It has also been called the aggressive house spider, even though it has been found to be no more aggressive than any other species.

This spider is commonly found in many states in the Pacific Northwest.

The hobo spider was identified as a potentially harmful species in the 1980s because of its ability to leave a very deep flesh wound, similar to the ones inflicted by brown recluse spiders. However, this has since been disproven.

Hobo Spider Bites

The hobo spider will not attack humans unless it is disturbed or provoked. Whether or not these bites are really toxic is hotly debated among scientists.

The hobo spider looks like several other varieties of spiders, so being sure of their identity is difficult. Some believe their venom can cause blisters and tissue scarring similar to the brown recluse, others contribute these bites to other spiders mistaken for the hobo spider.

Hobo Spider Infestation

When mating in the late summer, female hobo spiders will lay in their funnel-shaped webs and wait for males to approach. Males tap at the entrance of the web to signify interest. If the female does not respond, she may kill him.

However, if she is receptive to the male, the male will add silk to the web and approach her. The female will lay one to four cases that contain anywhere between 50 and 100 eggs that will hatch in the late spring and early summer.

Once the spiders are fully grown, they can live up to three years.

Hobo spiders will often be found in dark places like under rocks or other organic material. In the home, they are found under foundations, or in other secluded areas where they will not be disturbed.

Their webs are large, sticky funnels used to trap their prey. The spider then exits to attack and ingest whatever has been trapped. This activity often occurs at night.

Types of Hobo Spiders

Hobo Spider Identification

Female hobo spiders measure 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long, whereas males measure between 9/32 and 9/16 of an inch long.

These spiders have brown bodies and brown legs. Their abdomens have yellow markings on a gray background. Usually, this is most prominent on younger spiders.

The hobo spider is hard to distinguish without the aid of a microscope, so it is possible to confuse this species with another that is closely related.

Hobo Spiders in the House & the Garden

These spiders are generally beneficial because they feed on other insects that may be considered pests. However, you still might not want them greeting you on a daily basis.

To prevent hobo spiders from entering your home, seal all cracks and other openings in the structure. Putting screens around doors and windows will also help keep out these unwanted visitors.

It will help to vacuum your home on a regular basis. Not only will their food sources be minimized, but your vacuum may also suck up the spiders themselves, their eggs, and their webs.

Try to keep your house clutter-free. By reducing their hiding spaces in garages, basements, and other storage facilities, you’ll reduce the places the spiders can lay eggs.

Laying sticky traps will also help you identify areas in the home where the spiders may often hang out. Not only will you kill whatever spider gets trapped, but you’ll be able to clean up these areas to discourage the spiders from returning.

You shouldn’t need chemicals to get rid of these spiders, however, it is possible that you may need to contact a pest control company if your problem persists. They will have access to a wider variety of materials that can work.