Pest control for hobo spiders

If you have noticed flat, dense, webbing around your property, with a funnel-like area near the back, you might be looking at an invasion of hobo spiders. There is a lot of debate about the hobo spider and whether or not they are a risk to people. What is known is that they are fairly large, create an unsightly mess with their webs and often come into close contact with people during the summer months.

Although the debate continues as to whether or not the hobo spider bite is dangerous, the fact is that, like most spiders, they will bite if their webs are disturbed. Avoid hobo spider bites by calling the Rentokil spider experts to take care of any spider problems you might have on your property.

Hobo spider identification

Hobo spiders are often confused with the brown recluse spider. However, they are different in many aspects. They tend to build webs in very different locations and their appearance is notably different from the brown recluse.

Although there are many species of hobo spider and their appearances vary widely, some of the most common characteristics to look for are:

• One or more chevron or v-shaped markings on its abdomen, with the points facing the head of the spider
• Solid-colored legs with no colored bands at the leg joints
• Light stripe that runs down the very middle of their sternum (spots in this location indicate a different species)
• Light-colored patterns on their body that are diffused and not ordered in stripes

Hobo spider web

The hobo spider is part of a species known as "funnel weavers." They are not to be confused with funnel web spiders, which are an entirely different species. However, they share a common trait in that their webs usually contain a kind of funnel area where the spider itself rests and spends most of its time.

In North America, hobo spiders create very visible, milky-colored webs in corners, cracks, bushes and even in the grass. They can grow quite large, sometimes covered in debris from falling leaves and other vegetation. Hidden within the large flat part are trip lines that let the spider know that potential prey has entered the web.

The hobo spider is notorious for its speed. Once prey hits the trip lines, the hobo spider will move quickly to grab the prey, bite and envenom it, then eat it.

Hobo spider bites

In the past, there has been great confusion surrounding the severity of the hobo spider’s bite. However, recent research suggests that there is very little evidence that hobo spider bites can cause any serious medical complications. Hobo spiders do not commonly bite humans and will only do so out of defense. Their bite can cause mild pain and redness on the skin but they are not known to be fatal.

Anyone who is sensitive to insect stings and bites, or who are unsure of what kind of spider bit them, should seek immediate medical attention. If possible, capture the spider that did the biting so medical staff can determine the correct course of treatment.

Rentokil spider experts

No matter what kind of spiders you might have around your property, call in the experts who will remove the arachnids and the webs. Rentokil specialists can determine what kind of spiders are on your property, recommend a course of treatment, help remove the webs and offer advice on preventing them from returning.

Call us today at 1-855-633-6260 or use our online contact form to talk to us about spider control.