Like the hobo spider, they additionally have a difficult time climbing surfaceswalls and are oftentimes discovered stuck in bathtubs and sinks. From august through october, hobo spider mating season happens and they are driven indoors. What are the most common spiders in the pacific northwest. Because of its common features and color, they can easily be confused with other spiders. Information about the hobo spider, including geographic region, habitat and behavior. Although the bite of a hobo spider may be rare, it can be very serious and anyone suspecting a hobo spider bite should seek medical care immediately. Jan 29, 2019 the black widow spider has long enjoyed its reign as the only dangerous spider in oregon and the object of many residents nightmares. They first showed up in seattle in the early 1900s and have since spread to most of washington, as well as parts of oregon, idaho and montana. Hobo spider versus giant house spider theres a similar looking spider specimen you might find in your house here in portland, oregon. The common house spider, the western black widow, the hobo spider, and the yellow sac spider. The most common spiders submitted for identification at the oregon department of agriculture oda are the hobo spider eratigena.
From august through october, hobo spider mating season happens and they. A specific kind of spider was noted for 246 of these bites, including 66 27% that were classified as brown recluse bites there is no coding category for hobo spiders. Thankfully, therere rare up in portland and live mainly in eastern and southwestern oregon. The hobo spider eratigena agrestis, formerly tegenaria agrestis is a member of the genus of spiders known colloquially as funnel web spiders, but not to be confused with the australian funnelweb spider. Apr 17, 2014 whether the bites of the hobo spider are toxic to people has been a matter of scientific debate, but a new study suggests the spider s venom may be less harmful than many people think.
The bite of a hobo spider can be dangerous and serious, leading to health issues and a lesion around the bite area. The black widow and the hobo spider are of interest in oregon because they occasionally enter homes. Rob hendrickson, a physician and director of the oregon poison control center, said the hobo is a nonaggressive spider. Nov 15, 2017 what is lurking in your dreams, oregonians. It is a male of the closely related giant house spider, which formerly had the scientific name of tegenaria gigantea, but which is now properly called eratigena atrica. One 2014 study in oregon was able to verify a hobo spider bite. The hobo spider is one of the most dangerous spiders found in utah. If its creepycrawly spiders, you dont really have much to fear. And like knapweed, the population here in missoula continues. According to case reports from the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, the following real incidents of hobo bites occurred in the pacific northwest. Both spiders were accidentally introduced from europe. Black widow brown recluse hobo pioneer pest management. Hobo spiders are found in the states of washington, oregon, and idaho in the united states. Dont give the hobo spider a home this season beeline pest.
Yes, oregon is full of them, but with a few exceptions, none pose a threat to humans. Indentification of pacific northwest spiders sciencing. The oregon department of agriculture notes that hobo spider bites are rare in oregon. The hobo spider female measures between 11 to 14 mm in body length. Venomous hobo spider may be not so toxic after all live science. Hobo spiders build funnel webs that are open at both ends. Individuals construct a funnelshaped structure of silk sheeting and lie in wait at the small end of the funnel for prey insects to blunder onto their webs. While not nearly as venomous as black widows, their bites may cause moderate epidermal damage and flulike symptoms. Such webs are usually found in basements, crawl spaces, garages and outdoors in vegetation. Spiders found in oregon include 30 unique species from confirmed sightings by contributing members of spider id. Rob hendrickson, a physician and director of the oregon poison control center, said the hobo is a nonaggressive spider that bites only when cornered. Unfortunately, the widely held belief that a bite from the hobo spider causes a necrotizing wound is a gross exaggeration of facts. I will not post a photo here because it is disgusting and nightmareinducing. Because we had such an early and warmer summer we can expect to see more spiders and bigger spiders come fall here in oregon.
Too hard to tell the difference between them unless youve been bitten or have a microscope. Spiders in oregon spiders found in oregon include 30 unique species from confirmed sightings by contributing members of spider id. Even though i now work in michigan, i lived in oregon for many years and identified many of these spiders. Its hobo spider season across the northwestern part of the united states. Large hairy spiders and lets not forget the shiny, skeletal looking spiders strike fear in the hearts of people all over the world. Whether the bites of the hobo spider are toxic to people has been a matter of scientific debate, but a new study suggests the spiders venom may be less harmful than many people think. Jan 31, 2020 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. Sep 21, 2006 looks like hobo season is almost here. This area includes the states of washington, oregon. The black widow spider has long enjoyed its reign as the only dangerous spider in oregon and the object of many residents nightmares.
Although the toxicity and aggression of the hobo spider have long been debated, there is little evidence that the hobo spider is a dangerously venomous species. The hobo spider is one of the most dangerous spiders living in the united states, after the black widow spider, and the brown recluse spider. Female hobo spiders are typically larger than their male counterparts and can range in size between 12. Its brown legs are solidly colored and exhibit no markings. They are most active and commonly found from august through october when they are mating and preparing for winter. They are on the larger side, brown, with a vshape on its abdomen. Hobo spiders exhibit varying hues of brown and resemble many other common spiders such as wolf spiders and brown recluse spider. Hobo spider exterminator pest control portland oregon. Oct 22, 2019 a hobo spider bite is not usually a cause for concern, although some people say it is dangerous.
The giant house spider, also known as the eratigena atrica. Eratigena agrestis spiders have been sighted 25 times by contributing members. Based on collected data, the geographic range for eratigena agrestis includes 3 countries and 5 states in the united states. In fact, misinformation on hobo spiders is so prevalent that it was previously thought that they are capable of producing a necrotic lesion similar to that caused by brown recluse. They lie down in the web and wait for their prey, like cockroaches, flies and silverfish. Hobo spiders build a horizontal, trampolinelike web near brick walls or wood piles where the spider has shelter and awaits prey. Spiders help people by eating the insects that eat our food, invade our homes, and are vectors for disease. Oregon is home to at least 500 species of spiders, according to the department of agriculture. A hobo spider is a common type of spider found in the pacific northwestern united states.
However, its no longer believed that hobo spider bites cause tissue damage or skin death necrosis. Oct 14, 2015 dangerous oregon spiders brown recluse, hobo, and black widow 14 october, 2015 3 comments. Hobo spider bite pictures, symptoms, stages and treatment. The hobo spider is a member of the genus of spiders known colloquially as funnel web spiders, but not to be confused with the australian funnelweb spider. Hobo spider the hobo, or funnelweb spider is a common one found in houses of the pacific northwest region. A hobo spider bite is not usually a cause for concern, although some people say it is dangerous. They are much less so in northwestern oregon, although they are present, most often on south facing slopes that are rocky and bare of dense trees. The hobo spider is found only in the pacific northwest in washington, idaho and oregon. How to get rid of hobo spiders and aggressive house spiders. The cases of many brown recluse spider bites in these areas are now being understood to be bites from tegenaria agrestis or the hobo spider. Common spiders of the pacific northwest eastside exterminators. Hobo spiders are most noticeable and active in late summerearly fall. They have eight eyes clustered together, but the best characteristics to identify a hobo spider are difficult to see with the naked eye. Hobo spiders are often found in log piles, rock pilesbordersretaining walls, crevices in soil or concrete, or locations where grass meets a building foundation.
Because we had such a warmer and earlier summer we might expect to witness more arachnids and larger spiders. This area includes the states of washington, oregon, idaho, and utah. Jun 28, 2017 a hobo spider is a common type of spider found in the pacific northwestern united states. Oregon poison center wants your spiders, dead or alive. The spider species eratigena agrestis, commonly known as hobo spider, belongs to the genus eratigena, in the family agelenidae. The individual reported pain, redness, and leg twitching that lasted 12 hours.
The hobo spider was initially thought to inflict necrotic lesions similar to those of the brown recluse, however after several studies, including one in oregon in 2014, this has been proven wrong. In europe, where they originate, the hobo spider and all other related species are considered harmless. There are 24 confirmed types of spiders that reside in the pacific northwest. Western black widow spiders latrodectus hesperus are most common in southwestern and eastern oregon. Venomous hobo spider may be not so toxic after all live. This one is a jumping spider, but if you arent sure what that creepy crawly thing in your yard or. The most common spiders submitted for identification at oda are hobo eratigena agrestis and giant house eratigena atrica spiders. For the most part, all sources do report the hobo spider as being highly.
Seeing spiders in your home can be very alarming and terrifying for some people. In europe, the hobo spider and all other related species are considered harmless. A hobo bite in its first place resembles a lot to a bite made by the brown colored recluse spider but, remember these bites are venomous, and thus, any spider bite should be taken seriously unless a doctor confirms it to be nontoxic. The hobo spider is a funnelweaving spider, which means the web that it produces is not sticky, but rather it is meant to be a trip web. The hobo spider will trap insects that cannot maneuver the funnel surface. With cooling weather experts say these predator spiders may be migrating into your home. Black widow spiders may be the only potentially harmful spider in oregon. The most common spiders submitted for identification at the oregon department of agriculture oda are the hobo spider eratigena agrestis and giant house spider eratigena atrica. The hobo spider is the most common poisonous spider that we have in the nw mainly the portland or and vancouver wa areas.
But it might have to make room for a cousin, the brown. This species prefers to build its webs where a hole or crack exists in which it can locate its funnel retreat. Learn how to recognize a hobo spider and what to do if one bites. Apr 06, 2011 im moving there from florida next month for a job, and i was so excited to finally escape the horrific mutant bugs in florida i have a crippling fear of all bugs, but now im hearing of this hellish spider season in portland. Unlike other spiders that have been shown to cause this condition. It is important to remember that spiders seen in oregon are not bound by the territorial lines decided on by humans, therefore their distribution is subject to change. Eratigena agrestis hobo spider spider identification. Portland is known for its rain, clouds, food carts, hipster smash and all, but a lesserknown fact is that portland has hobo spiders aka tegenaria as an amazon associate i earn from qualifying purchases. Tegenaria agrestis are known as hobo spiders and aggressive house spiders. The hobo spider hides in the back of the funnel waiting for something to get caught in the web. Hobo spiders eratigena agrestis have been in the northwest for a.
178 763 215 890 436 94 346 941 872 741 1003 1249 914 1174 1149 40 837 750 202 1027 495 654 127 588 30 1273 1312 429 1223 526 1313 1260