Actual Size: 0.3-0.5 inchesCharacteristics: Coloration varies within a wide range of orange, gray-brown, and dark brown. Some have light stripes running down the thorax, but not all. Hobo spiders are notoriously difficult to identify.
Behavior:
The hobo spider spins messy, funnel-shaped webs.
They prefer to outdoors in fields. Hobo spiders generally avoid residential spaces because of the bigger, predatory giant house spider.
The toxicity of hobo spider venom is currently under debate. It was once believe to produce necrotic lesions, but many scientists do not consider this true any longer.
Hobo spiders will not bite unless provoked, or if they’re defending their egg sacs.
Spiders are arachnids, though they are sometimes confused for insects. Although they are often found on plants, they mainly consume insects and other spiders, not plant material. Most spiders kill their prey with a combination of binding and toxic venom. The only spiders considered “poisonous” are those which can bite and cause serious physical reactions in humans.
Preventing Problems Caused by Hobo Spiders
Despite the fact that they rarely bite humans, hobo spiders can still be unsettling. Their webs are more of an issue than their bite. In an ideal world, spiders would be beneficial outdoors, and non-existent indoors. Proper cleaning of the building environment can significantly reduce the chance of an unnoticed hobo spider issue. Reducing clutter and debris in parts of the building that go unused are all part of the basic prevention method. Outdoors, proper lawn maintenance should be observed. Any cracks, holes, or entry points in the building should be properly sealed as well.
Controlling and Eliminating Hobo Spiders
Spiders can become serious pests if allowed to infest a building or home. Our spider control serviceincludes three steps: Inspection, Treatment, and Follow-up. A thorough inspection should always be completed to determine sources of infestation, possible entry points, and the identification of the spider itself. There are various methods of treatment for spider infestations, including treatments of the baseboards, windows and doors, and foundation structures. Treatment will reduce populations outside, and eliminate populations inside. A good pest control professional will always provide follow-up after treatment, ensuring a successful elimination of the infestation. Continual treatments are also recommended to ensure a building is spider-free.
