ScientificName: Tegenaria agrestis
Description: Up to 1 3/4-inch, brown bodies with specific markings. They have long legs and a very poisonous bite.
Habitat/Food: The hobo spider is one of the most commonly found funnel-web or funnel weaver spiders in the Northwestern United States. The hobo spider builds its funnel-shaped web in dark, moist areas, often in basements, and waits at the mouth of the funnel for prey to become entangled in the web. The vibrations from the struggling prey alert the spider, which dashes out to bite the prey.
Life Cycle: The life cycle of the hobo spider in the United States has not been conclusively established, as controlled laboratory studies on this topic have not been reported. Some arachnologists believe that west coast populations are annuals, completing the entire life cycle in one year. Inland populations were originally reported in the literature to undergo a two year life cycle; however, three distinct stages (small juveniles, medium sized immatures, and adults) can be found during the late summer and early fall in inland areas, suggesting that inland populations may actually have a life cycle of three years. The eggs of the hobo are deposited in one to four egg cases in late September and October. These egg cases are composed of several layers of silk, intermingled with layers of soil and debris. The egg cases are usually attached to the undersides of rocks, wood, or other items found in yards, gardens and vacant lots; each egg case may contain 100 or more eggs.
Organic Control: Citrus or other plant oil based products can be used as effective control against these spiders. A very effective way to control these spiders is to use baited glue traps in areas of infestation.
Interesting Fact: Hobo spiders can have a bite similar to that of the brown recluse, causing local tissue necrosis.