HOBO SPIDERS

HOBO SPIDERS

While spiders are commonly found outside, there are some species that can also be found inside your home. In Utah, hobo spiders are frequently seen in peoples’ homes and because they can be quite big, they’re often regarded as an unwanted guest. The Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab states that the hobo is the most common spider it receives in submissions from the public, most likely because it’s large and scary-looking.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A HOBO SPIDER

Hobo spiders seem to be difficult to definitively identify without the use of a microscope. They do have general characteristics but these are not necessarily exclusive to hobo spiders:

• Chevron or herringbone pattern on the abdomen:
  While plenty of hobo spiders have this marking, it’s also common on many other species of spider. Plus, not all hobo spiders have this pattern.
• No dark bands:
  If the spider you’re looking at has dark banding on its legs, it’s not a hobo spider.
• A funnel shaped web:
  Hobo spiders do build tube or funnel shaped webs as they are members of the funnel-web spider family. There are, however, over a thousand other species of spider that also make funnel webs without being hobo spiders.

OTHER HOBO SPIDER CHARACTERISTICS

• Female hobo spiders can have a body length of up to 16.5mm or 0.65 inches, with males being a little smaller.
• Hobo spiders have brown bodies with darker or lighter brown legs.
• While they generally have hairy-looking legs, some hobo spiders have smoother legs.

ARE HOBO SPIDERS DANGEROUS?

While it has long been thought that hobo spiders can inflict a venomous bite that can damage human tissue, more recent research has shown little to no evidence that this is the case. It has not been totally ruled out, but being bitten by a hobo spider and then developing a necrotic lesion is highly unlikely. If you think you have been bitten by a spider and the site becomes inflamed or painful, seek out professional medical advice.

HELP, I HAVE HOBO SPIDERS IN MY HOUSE!

You may see an increase in these long legged arachnids between August and October as this is prime mating season. Hobo spiders can climb textured materials but have a hard time with smooth surfaces which is why you might see them in a bath or basin. If you’re getting sick of webs and spiders inside your home, it’s time to contact a pest control company, like H2.

HOW TO GET RID OF HOBO SPIDERS IN UTAH AND SALT LAKE COUNTIES

Hobo spiders prefer to live outdoors but will come inside looking for food or following scents during mating season. There are a few things you can do to help spider-proof your home which include:

• Sealing cracks in your exterior walls.
• Ensuring there’s no gap around doors or windows.
• Keeping your exterior space tidy, especially near the house.
• Regularly vacuuming or sweeping inside.

Other treatments such as traps, web removal and sprays can also be carried out. If you need spider removal services anywhere across Utah County or Salt Lake County, H2 Pest Control would be happy to hear from you.