Many purported, but not verified bites from many people who claim a hobo bit them. Change exterior lighting. Hobo spider bites are often confused with those of the brown recluse spider; however, the brown recluse does not live in Utah. The hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis) was accidentally introduced to the United States (through the Port of Seattle) sometime before the 1930's.It almost certainly arrived via commercial shipping vessels carrying cargo originating from agricultural areas of Europe. and Isbister G.K. 2004. Suspected Tegenaria agrestis envenomation. Sticky traps. Males also have two large elongated appendages that look like boxing gloves or fangs, but are actually genitalia. Varying in size but never more than two inches long, they have a brown cephalothorax (the body part above the abdomen that the legs are connected to) with darker brown markings. I live in Utah where hobo spiders are commonly found in households. Vetter R.S., Roe A.H., Bennett R.G., et al. Sadler MA, Force RW, Solbrig RM, et al. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 35:1490-1491. Its … Originally native to Europe, hobo spiders (Eratigena agrestis) arrived in the Pacific Northwest in the 1930s and eventually made their way to other western states, including Utah. Hobo Spiders build funnel-shaped webs in holes and crevices near the ground. If you have questions regarding the other arachnids frequently encountered in Utah, please visit our Top 20 Arachnids page. 2001. Most spider bites heal on their own without treatment and only need basic first aid measures such as keeping the wound clean, bandaging, and watching for signs of infection. Hobo Spiders. The juvenile hobo spiders grow and develop over the summer (or several summers) and will overwinter again before reaching maturity the following year. Russell and Gertsch (1983) examined 600 suspected spider bite with the finding that 80% were caused by arthropods other than spiders or by other diseased states. 2001. Call 911 immediately if the person bitten shows signs of shock or is having trouble breathing. Russell F.E. Many bites have occurred when people put on clothes that had been lying around and unknowingly pressed the spider against their skin. Consequently, when they enter homes they are usually found at ground level in the basement because they cannot climb walls or slick surfaces to escape. Since the late 70's the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab has kept track of all submitted samples. The most frequently encountered group is the funnel-web spiders, which includes the hobo spider. 1983. By vacuuming regularly and implementing the exclusion techniques mentioned in points 1-3, you can minimize insects (spider food) in the house and keep spider populations down naturally. A focus stacked image of a hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis) found in casa Jones. However, people have accidentally introduced this species to British Columbia and the northwest United States. In order to have a confirmed bite, the following must happen: Considering that almost everyone in Northern Utah has hobos in their home from August to October, seeing one in the bedroom does not implicate the spider. hobo spider apparently is being com-petitively displaced by another Euro-pean Tegenaria (TEJ-in-Er-ee-uh) species so that it is now difficult (but not im-possible) to find hobo spiders in Seattle. The table below was adapted from the University of California Riverside's "Causes of Necrotic Wounds other than the brown recluse spider" website (Vetter 2004). Juveniles may be found in the home throughout the remainder of the year, but are infrequent. Toxicon, 21:337-339. Hobo spiders are often misidentified as brown recluse spiders (a poisonous spider with a bite that can cause skin lesions). Distribution of the Hobo Spider. It is important to remember that spiders seen in Utah are not bound by the territorial lines decided on by humans, therefore their distribution is subject to change. Toxicon, 25:221-224. Appearance What Do They Look Like? The webs are funnel shaped, sort of like a tornado but really wide at the top. 1987. The spiderlings will molt (shed their skin) once before breaking free from the egg sac around early June. For those who treat spider or suspected spider bites (letter). During "hobo season" consider placing one or two traps in every room, and on either side of the bed against the baseboards to increase trapping/control. Utah is home to three species of dangerous spiders. Finally, the bite area must be followed by the doctor to determine if a necrotic lesion develops. Below are the major reasons spiders enter the home: Combining all or some of the techniques listed above to minimize the number of hobos coming into your home. For more information on black widow spiders visit this page. By 1968, it had become established as far east as Spokane, Washington and Moscow, Idaho, and as far south as Corvallis, Oregon. If you see it happen or suspect that you were bitten, the recommended treatment is to use RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Hobo spiders are relatively common in Utah, but they can be hard to distinguish between other spiders. Reports of "spider bites" are greatly influenced by the fact that most people fear spiders, and because of this fear most unknown bites are blamed on spiders (Anderson 1982). and Catts E.P. al 2003). Hobo spiders are fairly common in Utah. Additionally, you cannot identify a hobo based on the "chevron" markings on the abdomen; many spiders have a very similar appearance to a hobo. Journal of Medical Entomology, 40:159-164. When you store things in the garage, basement or attic, put them in sealable plastic bags. The spider is larger than a fifty-cent piece (including the legs). Washington State Univ. Like brown recluses, hobos tend to hide during the day and roam nocturnally. In many cases, the bite of the black widow may cause nothing more than pain and swelling, and you may be able to see two small holes where the spider's fangs have pierced the skin. Spiders prefer to live under and between items. Here are a few of my favorite fact sheets on spiders in the home: Akre R.D. Houses with old or broken door sweeps, windows/screens, no weather stripping around exterior doors, foundation cracks, etc., are at greater risk for hobo invasion. Akre R.D. The bite of a hobo spider will often resemble a mosquito bite without the itching. Originally, the hobo spider was named "the aggressive house spider," which originated from an incorrect interpretation of its species name-agrestis-which means "of the field or land." Binford and Gomez attempt to replicate Vest's 1987 study, but without success. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Eratigena agrestis includes 3 countries and 5 states in the United States. Do not use this product as a broadcast treatment over floors, etc., where people may contact it. Immature male and female resemble each other and are brown with banding on the legs and white stripes on the top of the abdomen. Spiders often come inside to find mates, but they stay inside because they can find food (other insects). Most females will die in late autumn, but some may overwinter and live into the following summer. To find a mate during mating season (August-October for hobos). The Hobo Spider is one of the most dangerous spiders found in Utah. A hobo was found on the wall the next day and determined to be the cause (Sadler et al. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the spider. The Hobo Spider is an extremely fast runner, with the ability to dodge many of its predators. It has the body of a hobo, but it s as small as a grass, and it s fangs are not as protruded as the hobo. Almost every home in northern UT likely has at least one hobo spider at some point during the year. This area includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. This will depend largely on temperature, but you can expect eggs to hatch from mid May to Mid June in UT. Move the woodpile as far from the house as possible, stack it off the ground, and cover it with a tarp. Binford G.J. The Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis) is largely one of the most feared spiders found in Utah. Necrotic arachnidism. Vacuum regularly. Categories Small Life Tags focus stack, focus stacking, hobo spider, insect, macro, small life, spider… The standard sticky traps you purchase at the lawn and garden shop placed around the baseboards of the home will tell you what type of spiders are present (if they are ground dwelling spiders), and can capture hobos. If the door sweeps aren't in tact and the entry ways sealed, you will still have an occasional hobo entering the home. Tegenaria agrestis are known as hobo spiders and aggressive house spiders.Because of its common features and color, they can easily be confused with other spiders.. Cold temperatures eventually terminate the production of eggs by the females. Use sticky traps to catch spiders. A microscope or strong hand lens is needed to see these hairs. The Entomology Department at the University of California Riverside offers these tips for avoiding spider bites: Black widow spiders are found throughout North America, especially in the southern and western United States. 2003). Eratigena agrestis, commonly know as the hobo spider, is a funnel web spider that can be found in the Pacific Northwest. A related species, the desert recluse, can be found in the southwest United States, including the extreme southwest corner of Utah. Hobo Spiders Hobo spiders are common in the Pacific Northwest but have been known to live in Utah since the 1990s. I have observed hobo spiders running right up the concrete steps into my home on many occasions. If the victim exhibits any of these signs of allergic reaction or anaphylaxis shortly after a bug bite, call 911. Traps can also tell you where spider or insect "hot-spots" may be in the home, or give you information as to where the spiders may be entering the home. 1994. The pattern is generally more distinctive in immature specimens. This will help keep wandering hobos out of your bed and minimize the chance of rolling over on one during the night. Spiders love secluded places to hide and lay egg sacs. Hobo Spider Characteristics The female Hobo Spider reaches sizes of 11 – […] The hobo spider is concentrated in the Northwest, while the yellow-sac spiders are found nearly throughout the U.S. This isn't typically 911 worthy, but you'll want to get a physician to take a look. Hobos live in small holes or crevices where they will strategically build funnel-shaped webs. If you have a lesion on your body and you see a small brown spider in your home a few days later, hobo or not, you cannot blame that spider. Hobo Spider. Eratigena agrestis is most often sighted … American Family Physician, 26:198-203. However, people have accidentally introduced this species to British Columbia and the northwest United States. The desert recluse and other recluse spiders are difficult for non-experts to identify. Last accessed August 19, 2011. Spiders hiding in these clothes can be mistakenly grabbed resulting in a bite. In North America, the hobo spider lives in the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia east to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, and south through Oregon and northern Utah. Call your doctor, hospital, or poison control center. A common place to find hobos is in the bath tub or sink because the porcelain or plastic is too slick for them to climb. The number for Utah Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222. The bite victim must submit the specimen for an official identification by a qualified arachnologist. If you live in or around Utah, there are four potentially dangerous varieties of spiders that may be living in and around your home. Their introduced populations have since spread inland to Montana, and south to Nevada and Utah. In addition to the above characters, a hobo can be separated from other spiders by the combination of the following characteristics: The sternum of a hobo spider will have darker outer edges and a lighter inside. If you do, shake them out. Jones D. 1983. One case study of a women developing a nodule with pustules, inflammation, and 2 areas of ecchymosis after feeling a "bite" in bed. Most bites heal just fine without any medical intervention or first aid. If you see it happen or suspect that you were bitten, the recommended treatment is to use RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). They can easily climb carpeted stairs, curtains, towels, bed skirts, highly textured walls, cement walls, brick, etc. Necrotizing spider bites. December, 44:6. Keep childrens' toys off of the floor where spiders can hide under them. They like to habitate log piles, rock piles, holes, and anywhere where tall grass meets the foundation of your home or concrete. The adult female black widow spider is solid black in color and has a red hourglass shape on the underside of the abdomen. When you pick up wood, wear gloves. 2. Bang out shoes first to see if a spider crawled in during the night. While the hobo spider greatly resembles certain other members of the funnel-web spider family, which are harmless, it has important distinguishing characteristics.The hobo spider has a brown cephalothorax (the front body region where the legs are attached) with darker brown markings and brown legs. Like the hobo spider, the desert recluse and other recluse spider species are frequently blamed for necrotic lesions and skin infections that actually have other causes. Mature females are black and shiny, with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. If you have found a spider in Utah that is not on our list, make sure to send us a picture via email to [email protected] and we will include it. Sample size for both the male and female portions of the study are too small to draw definitive conclusions from. Hobo Spider The Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) is a member of the genus of spiders known as funnel web spiders. 1990. Tape up the edges of cardboard boxes. Roberts M.J. 1985. The CDC removed the hobo spider from its list of venomous spiders in 2017. Males and females will mature from June to September. Look for: In cases where the victim is feeling extremely tired or weak, call 911. Hobo spider geography: In North America, the hobo spider lives in the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia east to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, and south through Oregon and northern Utah. Victims should seek medical treatment if symptoms appear in parts of the body away from the location of the bite. The hobo spider runs at an average speed of about 0.45 meters (17 inches) per second, with a maximum speed of about 1.1 meters (40 inches) per second. Genitalia can be used by arachnologists to identify spiders to species. Hobo spiders are probably the most common arachnid to see coming indoors during the fall, according to Davis. Brown in color and ¼ to 1 inch in size the hobo spider can be mistaken for a common house spider. There are many cases, however, of common related spiders being misidentified as hobo spiders by the general public and even by pest control operators. Remain calm. The hobo spider, also known as the “aggressive house spider”, was accidentally introduced to the Northwestern United States in the 1980s and can now be found in the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada. Facts on File: NY, 191p. The spider has expanded its range south and east, and can be found extensively throughout northern Utah (Vetter et al. The bite of the hobo spider is often misattributed to the brown recluse, which does not live in Utah. The male "boxing gloves" or palps are part of the spiders reproductive system. The females search for a warm place to lay their eggs which is why they are found in homes during fall and typically more aggressive. Hobo spider bites were initially reported in Spokane, WA and Moscow, ID around 1970. Personal communication via email. But biologists recently discovered that most of the bites attributed to the hobo actually came from other spiders. Hobo Spiders Facts, Identification & Control. A focus stacked image of a hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis) found in casa Jones. Hobo Spider Characteristics The female Hobo Spider reaches sizes of 11 – […] To control spiders it is necessary to understand why and how they enter the home and use that knowledge against them. Tegenaria agrestis are known as hobo spiders and aggressive house spiders.Because of its common features and color, they can easily be confused with other spiders.. Non-residual aerosol sprays can be used to directly spray spiders; spiders not directly contacted with this treatment will not die. This inward migration is driven by their mating season. Within a day or so, blisters may develop at the site of the bite and eventually rupture. Get medical help immediately. This includes the garage door. The Black Widow, Hobo, Wolf, Banded Orb Weaver and a large variety of ground spiders are some of the more common spiders our technicians deal with here in Utah. The hobo palp has two prongs as indicated by the red arrows. But biologists recently discovered that most of the bites attributed to the hobo actually came from other spiders. Replace doorsweeps on all outside doors (probably the most important thing you can do). Biology and Medical Importance of the Aggressive House Spider, Tegenaria agrestis, in the Pacific Northwest (Arachinida: Araneae: Agelenidae). Hobo spiders are more common further east and are easily found around Salt Lake City, Utah. Vest D.K. Antibiotic treatments will only be effective if there is a bacterial infection. The Hobo Spider falls within the Genus Eratigena, which are considered Funnel Web Spiders. The main purpose of the key is to identify the hobo spider as compared to other Tegenaria species and members of the wolf spider family (Lycosidae). Hobo spiders are brown with several distinct chevron-shaped markings on their abdomens. Vetter R.S. Learn to Identify the Venomous Snakes of Utah, New Zealand’s Dangerous Plants, Animals, and Insects, 50 States, 50 Staycations: The Best Staycation in Every State, Here's Everything You Need to Get Ready for Trekking in Nepal, Dangerous Animals You Might Find in Ireland, Use These 10 Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites While You travel, Africa Travel: Everything You Need to Know About Bilharzia, What to Know About Killer Bees in Arizona, Beware of These Venomous Snakes in Tennessee, Top 7 Common Health Issues for Travel to India, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Hobo spiders frequent areas such as log or timber piles, rock piles/borders/retaining walls, holes, or where tall grass meets the foundation or crevices in soil or concrete where they can make their characteristic funnel webs. The Hobo Spider falls within the Genus Eratigena, which are considered Funnel Web Spiders. Hobo spider control is difficult because of their adaptable nature. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that either side is correct without a doubt; however, you will notice that the "evidence for" is highly circumstantial, while "evidence against" is scientific. 2003). The most important spider to keep an eye out for in Utah is the black widow, which has been known to kill young children and seniors with its bite. Because hobos aren’t great climbers people often find them in the basement or in a porcelain tub/sink in the morning. The sweep must come in complete contact with the ground surface and both sides of the doorway. The presence of a brown spider in your home does not mean that it is a hobo--there are many brown spiders that look similar to hobos. • For more detailed information about the hobo spider… Fisher R.G., Kelly P., Krober M.S., et al. The bite of the hobo spider is often misattributed to the brown recluse, which does not live in Utah. Hobo spider (Ryan Davis, Utah State University Extension) Domestic house spider (Sanchom, Wikimedia Commons) Adult grass spider (Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org) Identification. Unfortunately, there is a lack of verified hobo spider bites. In the 90ies, the hobo spider has been listed as a medically important species. Many spiders are nearing the end of their life, searching for mates and laying eggs, habits that usually increase the chance of human-spider interactions. Wolf spider. One case study where hobo spiders were found in a home of someone who developed a necrotic lesion (Fisher et al. The spider has expanded its range south and east, and can be found extensively throughout northern Utah (Vetter et al. Recommended Citation Davis, Ryan S., "Hobo Spider" (2015). The abdomen (the second body region) has a distinctive pattern of yellow markings on a grey background, although this pattern can be difficult to discern without the aid of a microscope or hand lens. Fix these structural issues and the number of hobos capable of coming into the home will decrease. Categories Small Life Tags focus stack, focus stacking, hobo spider, insect, macro, small life, spider, Tegenaria agrestis. Insects are attracted to "normal" exterior lights at night. Below is a different angle/lighting conditions of the same animal. The first hobo sample was submitted in 1990. There are many medical conditions which can manifest as necrotic lesions or skin ulcers, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections, drug reactions, diseases such as diabetes, other arthropod bites, and more (Vetter 2004). First Aid expert, Rod Brouhard, offers this information about treating spider bites: Anaphylaxis is always the biggest concern with any type of bug bite. Since then, hobo spiders have continued to move and spread throughout the inter-mountain region, with incidences and appearances reported as far south as Utah and as far east as Wyoming. These spiders are not the same as the Australian Funnel Web Spiders who are from a different Genus. Spiders can be readily killed by a direct spray of insecticides however, an insecticidal "barrier" around the home is unlikely to provide perfect control of hobos as insecticides used for killing insects are generally not as effective against spiders. We feel that it is likely that there are Hobos in Northern California. People living in states where hobo spiders have not been documented have been misdiagnosed by physicians as having bites from hobo spiders (Vetter et.