Hobo spiders made their debut in Utah in the 1990s and are among 621 species of spiders in Utah. Hobo spiders are famous as sprinters and for their finesse at dodging predators. Though hobo spiders aren't dangerous, they've made Davis County their home and are a nuisance. Below are just a few things you'll want to keep in mind as you encounter these unwelcome house guests.
Hobo Spiders
Hobo spiders can be difficult to spot right away as they don't look very distinctive from other spiders and are masters at camouflage. These spiders have a chevron (V-shaped) pattern down the middle of the abdomen with the V-shape pointing at the head. These spiders also bear a faint stripe running along the middle of the chest. They are generally light brown to light tan but can be dark brown as well.
August through October are prime times for hobo spider sightings as they will be looking for mates and places to weaves webs. Though hobo spiders make accidental entries into homes, they prefer the outdoors. Hobo spiders prefer to be around rock piles, holes, log piles, and tall grass against structures and pavement.
If you see many spiders in your home, you may be seeing hobo spiders. Because of how hobo spider feet are designed, however, they have trouble climbing slick surfaces, such as walls. They often get stuck at the bottom of sinks and tubs for this reason. Grooved, textured surfaces, such as carpet, pavement, and curtains, allow them to travel much more easily.
Hobo Spider Webs
Hobo spiders are best identified by their webs. Hobo spiders, being poor climbers, prefer to build webs near the ground. They like to dwell in small crevices and holes to weave their funnel-shaped webs to catch prey. Their funnel-shaped webs contain a small hole at the bottom where their prey tends to contact their webs.
Are Hobo Spiders Dangerous?
Though hobo spiders were once thought to cause necrosis (tissue damage and skin death), this has since been debunked. Hobo spiders are incredibly fast, however, so it's likely that you may not see a hobo spider after being bitten. The severity of bites depends on the amount of venom transferred and the age and sex of the spider. These bites tend to be fairly painless (comparable to a pinprick). Hobo spiders only bite if they feel threatened and are not considered dangerous.
Hobo Spider Prevention
Here are a few ways you can minimize the chances that hobo spiders will find your home and property attractive:
- Eliminate nesting opportunities (rock piles, logs, etc.).
- Seal up cracks and crevices around the exterior of your home.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
- Eliminate visible spiders and webs.
- Use sodium vapor bulbs for exterior lighting.
Eliminating Hobo Spiders
Though hobo spiders aren't considered dangerous, they are a nuisance. It's best to allow the experts at Pest Pro Pest Control in Davis County to remove hobo spiders from both your home and lawn. Not only can our experts identify hobo spiders, but they can rid you of the infestation. And we guarantee our residential services! Contact us today to find out how we can help.