Scientific Name: Eratigena agrestis
Hobo spiders, also known as the aggressive house spider, is native to Europe but has been making its way through the Pacific Northwest, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and nearby states since its accidental introduction in the 1980’s. It has been a hot topic of debate whether or not this spider is lethal or not and the recent consensus is that while the bite of the hobo spider is dangerous, it is not a deadly spider. While the spider’s bite may cause a more severe reaction than other non-toxic spiders, researchers have found the hobo spider’s bite to be much less serious than the black widow or brown recluse.
General Information:
The hobo spider is a funnel web spider, meaning that it spins its web into a funnel shape where other bugs and insects can easily fall into its trap and be therefore consumed. This spider looks similar to quite a few others but here are a few ways you can identify a hobo spider:
About half an inch in size
Legs extend about 2 inches
Chevron, V-shaped pattern running along its abdomen pointing toward the head
A light stripe running down the middle of the sternum
No colored bands where the leg joints meet
They are black, brown, orange or tan
Hobo spiders have 8 eyes arranged in two rows, all the eyes round and about the same size
The tip of each leg has 3 tarsal claws
Signs of an Infestation
Although hobo spiders cannot climb, they can run very fast. Combining this speed with their aggressive behaviors is rather terrifying when they attack if they feel threatened. The wound may not be immediately painful, but eventually results in a painful, possibly slow healing wound that may scar. Frequent run ins with these spiders inside your home are a good indication you have a problem. Their funnel like webs in dark corners of your home are also a sign that you need professional spider control ASAP.
Treatment:
Keeping hobo spiders out of your home is especially tricky as they seek shelter in the fall months. If your doors and windows are not well sealed, they will find an opportunity to come inside and take refuge from the cold weather. These spiders can be seen year round as they have a lifespan of up to three years. To protect yourself and your family from hobo spider bites, you need the professional spider control from the experts at Pointe Pest Control. Our technicians are experienced in how to deal with these spiders specifically so contact us today.