Hobo spiders or Tegenaria agrestis are aggressive house spiders. You can easily confuse them with normal spiders because of the similar appearance. However, unlike others, hobo or funnel spiders do attack unprovoked. Keep on reading to find out how to get rid of Hobo spiders.
Are Hobo Spiders Dangerous to Humans?
As per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), a hobo spider bite is not considered toxic to humans. Previously, people believed that a hobo’s bite could cause tissue damage and skin disease (necrosis). The myth was dispelled after CDCP injected animals with hobo venom, and they didn’t show any signs of skin disease.
Hobo spiders are, however, considered aggressive. While most do not show signs of aggression unless otherwise provoked, hobos are particularly protective of their egg sacks and will attack if they deem you a threat. You don’t even have to do anything to provoke them, which is why you mustn’t let them breed in your house.
Getting Rid of Hobo Spiders
Fully grown hobo or funnel spiders are around 1.75 inches long. They are brown and gray, like most other spiders, which makes identifying them harder. However, you can locate them via their distinct web shapes. They weave funnel or tube-shaped webs, and they like to lurk around in damp, dark corners of the house. When you start the extermination process, we suggest that you start with the dark, moist spaces in the home.
Eliminate the Food Source
Funnel spiders feed primarily on other insects. If your house is swamped with bees, gnats or mosquitoes, then that’s an invitation for these spiders to take refuge under your roof. Try using an electric insect killer to get rid of tiny insects that could serve as a food source.
You can use multiple DIY techniques to eliminate tiny flying creatures from the house. However, those aren’t very effective, especially if you can’t target the root of the problem. Make sure your home is free from food crumbs and stagnant water at all times. Insects tend to thrive in such unhygienic conditions, which eventually invites spiders inside as well.
De-Clutter the House
Spiders like to weave their webs in corners. They prefer crowded, dark places where they will be left untouched. Make sure you do not harbor such a spider-friendly environment. Remove excessive furniture and dust all the corners of the house regularly.
If you have furniture backed up against the wall, make it a habit to clean behind it at least once a week.
Remove all Webs
With their food source, you should also remove their funnel-like homes. Removing the webs is like taking away their homes, and they will be forced to relocate. You can do this in two ways:
Suck up the web with a vacuum and then empty the contents in a trash can outside the house. Seal the bag and place it as far away from the vicinity of your home as possible. If you leave the trash can open, they may crawl out and back into the house.
You can also use a long stick to wrap the web around it and then place it into trash tightly, seal the bag and throw them out. Kill whatever spiders may fall to the ground in your attempts
When removing this creepy crawlies from outside your house, you should use a stick that’s at least 4 feet long. It is a lot easier than carrying the vacuum around the entire perimeter of the house.
Store-Bought Traps
You can also place hobo spider traps in corners of the house wherever you notice or witness a spider web. These traps attract most spiders and kill them, providing the most effortless solution. You can use any of the following recommendations:
- TERRO Hobo Trap
- Victor Poison Free Hobo Pre-Baited Traps
- Poison Free M293 Hobo Trap
- Rescue Spider Trap
Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkling a fine layer of diatomaceous earth in the corners of the house and all around the perimeter can rid you of the unwanted guests in the home. Diatomaceous earth is a fine white powder that kills almost all creepy crawlies. It damages the exoskeleton of the insect or spider as soon as it comes in contact with diatomaceous earth.
With a damaged exoskeleton, insects dehydrate and die, solving your infestation problem. It is a smart solution as it targets both the problem and the food source at the same time. Spread a fine layer of diatomaceous earth on window sills, door frames, and in all corners of the house and your yard.
Seal off Entry Points
Sealing off all cracks and unnecessary openings is essential in keeping the house bug-free. You should caulk all doors and windows and weather strip all doors and windows. Doing so closes off all tiny openings so that not even the smallest bug can enter the house.
For added safety, you can also install a bug screen. It allows for ventilation into the house while ensuring that no unwanted creepy crawly make their way into your home.
Clean the Yard
They are found under debris, piles of rocks or brick, excessive material placed next to bordering walls. They even reside in crevices in the soil or concrete and in areas where the grass meets a building’s foundation.
The first step to eliminating them from outside involves cleaning the outdoor area. Remove all debris and trim your lawn, especially around the corners. Make sure you remove all that is excessive, especially decorative rock or log pieces. They provide the shade that these spiders need and prove an ideal nesting place for them.
Funnel spiders always go where the food source is. If your yard is swarming with bees and insects, it is probable that the yard is housing arachnids too. To avoid that, make sure you never overwater your plants. Allow the land to dry off before you water it again.
Pesticides
To target shrubs and crevices, you must use a pesticide. There is no other treatment that proves more effective in the extermination process. You can use the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape Ready-To-Spray. The spray targets all insects, killing the spider’s food source for over three months. With nothing to feed on, it is unlikely that hobo spiders will take refuge in your yard.
For long-lasting protection, you can use the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor and Perimeter 2. The spray will protect your home for up to 12 months, leaving you tension free for a year.
How to Treat a Hobo Spider Bite
These spiders aren’t common all over the world. They are located mostly in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, and a few other areas. Their bite is painless and almost feels like a pinprick.
In case you get bit by one, you need not worry. Just follow the following steps as soon as you notice signs of swelling.
- First, clean the affected area with mild soap and water.
- Then apply a cold compress over the bite. You will notice swelling in the affected area, and the cold compress helps take that down.
- If the spider bites you on your arm or leg, then elevate it. Doing so helps with the swelling as well.
- Go to a doctor. Even though the bite is not toxic, you must get a tetanus shot for added safety.
Initially, the bite mark will look like a small red blister. If the area around the bite mark starts getting itchy or is continuously getting agitated and turning blue-black, you need immediate medical attention.
Related Questions
Where do hobo spiders live in the house?
Inside the house, hobo spiders may reside in basements, attics, or storerooms. They seek out cold, dimly lit, damp places to thrive in. You can find them by scouting for spider webs in the corners of the house. Outdoors, you can search under flower beds, bushes, and piles of debris. They may even be living behind trash cans and cabinets under the sink.
Are hobo spiders fast?
Hobo spiders are speedy runners. Owing to their long legs, on average, they can run at 0.45 meters per second. In case you encounter a particularly fast spider, you may find them running at 1.1 meters per second. If you want to catch them, you need to be well prepared in advance. Placing spider traps near their webs is the most effective way to catch them.
How do I get rid of spiders in my house?
To get rid of them, you can follow a few simple steps:
- Remove their food source
- Close entry points
- Clean breeding grounds
- Use spider traps in combination with diatomaceous earth
- Use pesticides
The solution is as simple as keeping an organized, clean, and hygienic house. Since hobo spiders usually reside outdoors, they will not enter your home if they don’t find ideal nesting situations.