Hobo Spiders In Katy Texas: Don't Let Them Live In Your Yard!
One of the strangest and misunderstood arachnid species in Katy, TX, is the humble hobo spider.
At less than 50 millimeters in size, these spiders are sometimes referred to as “funnel-web spiders” due to their unique method of building webs. These spiders are relatively shy and prefer to stay away from humans as often as possible.
Here is a list of the most identifiable hobo spider characteristics to watch out for:
Hobo spiders are a light tan to brown in color. They are covered in small bristles that extend down their body from top to bottom.
Hobo spiders are mottled in color but not necessarily striped. In fact, a spider with cephalothorax stripes or dark leg bands is not a hobo spider at all.
Hobo spiders do not have spots on their sternums. This is almost impossible to see without handling the spider, which is not recommended.
It is difficult to identify a hobo spider by sight alone. Because of their similar patterns and markings, these spiders could be confused with any number of other native Texas arachnids. The best method of identifying a hobo spider lies in its unique web. Hobo spiders construct horizontal webs that are circular or trampoline-like in build. They prefer to build their homes near warm brick walls or large woodpiles, which attract insects at all hours of the day. The web's unique funnel shape allows the hobo spider to pounce without being detected.
Hobo spiders are much more active and social during September, where mating season brings many spiders together. Most hobo spider species around the home and yard will be female, as male spiders die immediately after mating. Baby hobo spiders hatch within a few months, usually during the late spring. These spiders are particularly independent and quickly begin finding their own place to hunt around lawns and gardens.
Hobo spiders were long associated with deadly bites, hospital visits, and pesticide sprays. For many years, the CDC listed case studies referring to the hobo spider as a deadly animal capable of causing necrosis in victims. However, the scientific literature has changed significantly in recent years, even to a complete 360-degree change in 2017.
Where And Why Hobo Spiders Infest Human Yards
Like many other spider species in Texas, hobo spiders choose to infest human yards based on opportunity. If there is plenty of food, water, and hiding spaces present, the chances are that a hobo spider will want to enjoy it.
Interestingly, most hobo spiders aren't found inside homes. If you do catch sight of a hobo spider in a kitchen or bathroom, it was likely an accidental entry. In fact, these pests are not big fans of enclosed spaces. If they can remain outside the home and find their prey free of humans, they will be pleased to do so.
If there is a high volume of hobo spiders inside your house, there could be another reason for the intrusion.
There could be a large entry point near the home, leading hobo spiders straight into the house. If this entry point happens to be near lush growth or thick vegetation, the spider may not be able to distinguish the difference between indoor or outdoor environments.
There may be attractant factors near the home that could be drawing hungry hobo spiders inside. Pools of stagnant water, large green growth or vegetation, and a humid environment are just a few of the most common.
There might be extreme weather conditions or temperatures causing hobo spiders to take shelter indoors. For example, hurricanes, downpours, droughts, or freezing temperatures could force spiders to find other means of survival (such as your home).
There is a chance that a secondary pest infestation may have taken root inside your home. If a pest prey species happens to be crawling around the inside, hobo spiders could be taking advantage of the opportunity by infesting your home.
If you think or know that a hobo spider has entered your home, do not attempt to engage, crush, or remove it alone. Instead, contact a professional spider treatment team such as Modern Pest Control to assess the situation.
The Great Debate: Are Hobo Spiders Actually Dangerous To People?
For many years, hobo spiders were considered one of three deadly spider species in North America, including the black widow and the brown recluse. Scientists believed that these spiders could create necrotic lesions with their bites or areas of tissue damage that cause internal muscle or tissue death.
The bite of a hobo spider is excruciating and often results in many adverse symptoms. A few of these include:
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Extreme Fatigue
Scientists once believed that hobo spiders could damage or even destroy human tissue, a trait that would rank them with some of the most dangerous arachnids in the world. However, a recent 15-year study performed by etymologists discovered that hobo spiders rarely, if ever, are aggressive toward humans. Even when pressed against human skin and forced to bite, these arachnids did not cause extensive tissue death or severe medical symptoms in any test subjects.
Hobo spiders still cause adverse reactions for people, pets, and loved ones. Extreme symptoms should still be treated by medical professionals and may require hospitalization in the cause of dehydration or allergic reactions. However, keep in mind that hobo spider bites are scarce. Their ability to affect humans is much less poignant than previously thought, leading them to be declassified as ‘deadly’ spiders in America.
If you think that a hobo spider has bitten you, it will be imperative to keep a close eye on the signs and symptoms of serious problems. Please report to a medical professional if you begin to notice:
Unusual swelling patterns around the face
A swollen tongue or difficulty speaking
Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or making noise.
Pain or tightness across the chest cavity
Dry nausea or uncontrolled vomiting
Hobo spiders have maybe been declassified as dangerous pest species, but they can still certainly impact humans and pets in a major way. You won't want to let these spiders live near your Katy, TX lawn!
What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Prevent Hobo Spider Activity?
No matter how they have found their way to your home or business, hobo spiders will take their time infesting your personal space. Even if they are not considered dangerous, these arachnids still can bite humans and otherwise cause extreme pain and discomfort. Keeping hobo spiders far away from home should be your first and foremost priority as a homeowner.
Thankfully, anyone could take a few prevention steps to help reduce the strain of hobo spider activity inside and outside their homes. Put these ideas into action as soon as possible to reduce your risks year-round.
Start by removing any potential entry points around the home or business. Caulk, seal or otherwise fill up cracks that arachnids could escape into. Pay special attention to larger entry points such as doors and windows. What does the sealant look like around critical areas? Is the weatherproofing still intact? What about the door kick or rain guard? Each of these things should be updated to reduce hobo spider migration patterns.
Hobo spiders found in the home could be an indication of another problem: a secondary pest infestation. Hobo spiders are nomadic and prefer to travel along with their prey. A recent uprising in the home could be attributed to secondary infesting creatures. Ants, beetles, and occasional invaders are some of the most common secondary pests. Have your home inspected for pest prey as regularly as possible. In the meantime, practice all the best general pest control steps. Manage all access to food and water, reduce indoor humidity, and otherwise remove garbage from home at least once per week.
Declutter the home as often as possible. Hobo spiders love to hide in cardboard boxes, around forgotten glassware, and near dark corners of the home that receive little to no cleaning attention. Dust, mop, vacuum, and organize the house frequently to eliminate potential spider hiding places.
Wipe down the inside and outside of the home regularly. This includes the corners, eaves, windows, and light fixtures. If you see a spider web forming, brush it away as soon as possible. The more established a web becomes, the more confident the spiders will be.
Like many other species of pest here in Texas, prevention is always the best method of protection.
Hobo spiders are unsettling arachnids that are almost ubiquitous around home and business lawns. Even the best possible prevention methods will not necessarily be enough to get rid of them for good. If you are interested in finding ways to get and keep hobo spiders out of your lawn for the long term, don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals at Modern Pest Control.
Hobo Spiders Are No Match For The Team At Modern Pest Control
Disquieting pests like hobo spiders are an enormous concern for home and business owners in Texas. Although these spiders are no longer associated with deadly bites or necrotic tissue damage, they are still upset for many residents. In addition, these pests could be pointing toward a serious secondary infestation that is only just beginning in the home. No matter what your point of view may be, the presence of just one hobo spider is worth looking into.
Here at Modern Pest Control, looking into serious spider infestations is one of our specialties. Not only do we handle year-round spider prevention in our traditional pest control plans, but we can provide specialized pest management services to homeowners with specific needs. Hobo spiders are carefully evaluated and treated by our award-winning professionals, all of whom must complete continuing education courses to prove their salt and skill in the field.
Here are just a few of the ways that we manage household spider problems here in Texas:
Every spider infestation begins with a thorough inspection from one of our skilled technicians. Our pros will be able to identify any entry points or underlying issues within minutes, carefully explaining all best practices and approaches used by our team.
We will evaluate and determine the species of spider that has infested your home or lawn. We will also spend time looking for any secondary pest infestations that might become problematic for your home, hazardous ones that could attract even more pests.
Both spiders and their pest prey species will be properly treated with a suitable mix of approaches. Traditional, organic, and manual services are all provided by local technicians. Best of all, our services are always completed at a time convenient to you. No waiting for workers, red tape, or unnecessary contracts!
Once the deed is done, Modern Pest Control helps you stay spider-free for good by offering a pest-free guarantee. If you are still experiencing problems with a pest we treated, we’ll come back to make things right – on our own dime!
The hobo spiders around your home and lawn are no match for the professional pest services of Modern Pest Control. Armed with the best and brightest in the business, there's almost no pest we can't address. A commitment to innovation in our field has provided a strong bond between ourselves and the clients we serve. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact on your peace of mind this fall, look no further than Modern Pest Control’s premiere spider protection services.
Call your local Texas office for more advice or assistance, or contact the pros for a free estimate at Modern Pest Control. Let's start working on a spider-free future together!