If you’re scared of spiders the last thing you want is to be surprised by one. Hobo Spiders are also known as Aggressive House Spiders (AHS). They are native to Europe and were accidentally introduced into the United States in the 1980s. They have slowly expanded throughout the Northwestern United States and even though they have an increasing range and population, the awareness of this spider is pretty low. Because of this, the Brown Recluse Spider has been inaccurately blamed for the bites of hobo spiders in many instances.

What Do Hobo Spiders Look Like, What Do They Eat & Where Do They Live?

Hobo spiders are brown and are 3/8 – 9/16 inches in length with the females being the larger of the sexes. They have distinct yellow chevron-shaped markings on their abdomens. The males and females look different. The males have two large palps that resemble boxing gloves. These palps can be mistaken for venom sacs of fangs but they aren’t. Rather, these are the males’ genitalia. The palps on the females aren’t as swollen and they have larger abdomens. They have poor eyesight too, which makes them more aggressive than other spiders because the only way they can survive is to attack. Hobo spiders belong to a group of spiders known for their funnel-like web construction. These webs are funnel-shaped and are attached to an object to keep it stationary and close to the ground. These webs are made up of horizontal layers of entangled threads of silk that are used as nests and ways to detect and trap prey. It’s a non-sticky trip web that won’t stick to the insects. Instead, the prey will trip the web and the spider will attack before it can getaway.

Does a Hobo Spider Bite?

The hobo spider generally won’t bite unless it’s provoked. These spiders look after an egg sac which makes them aggressive, especially if they feel it’s being threatened. The bite can leave lesions that can lead to necrosis in humans. The bite may feel warm for a few hours up to the first 24 hours and can have the same effect as a mosquito bite. To determine if it’s a hobo spider you’ll need to look for the signs. The blister will break open in about a day or two after the bite and will turn into an open oozing ulcer. They are usually pretty minor but can develop into an open flesh hole that is caused by dead tissue. The lesion can be the size of a pea up to the size of a half-dollar or even bigger and the sunken wound from the bite can take weeks or even months to heal. A hobo spider bite can result in a noticeable scar.

Hobo Spider Control

Keeping Hobo spiders out of your home is done by picking up clutter they use to hide in. This needs to be done inside and out. Seal any openings that they might be using to get inside. Look at the foundation, around windows and doors as well as reduce moisture and humidity levels in your home. If you don’t like the idea of hobo spiders or other pests getting too close to your loved ones, give Rentokil a call to take care of pest problems for you!