More on Hobo Spiders
Sept. 11, 2000
If you're seeing lots of spiders, that's probably because there are more of them this year.
Utah State University's entomologist says he's getting two to three calls per day from people reporting the potent Hobo spider inside their houses!
The story from Science Specialist Ed Yeates.
Rich or poor. It doesn't matter where or how you live. Hobo spiders could take up residence in your house.
Utah State University entomologist Dr. Jay Karren says more bugs this year means more spiders, and the Hobo-- sometimes called the agressive house spider-- is now moving indoors where it's warmer.
It's bite can be nasty!
DR. JAY KARREN, USU ENTOMOLOGIST: "ONCE THEY BITE YOU, THE SKIN SORT OF DECAYS AND ROTS AWAY AND CAUSES A VERY BAD SORE THAT SOMETIMES TAKES SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR TO HEAL UP. SO IT CAN BE SERIOUS."
News editor Sarah Roberts was bitten twice, and believes it might have happened while working here at KSL. She was treated at a University of Utah Medical Center clinic.
The appearance of the wounds - one on each leg - are classic hobo spider bites.
SARAH ROBERTS, SPIDER VICTIM: "IT WAS A DEEP KIND OF RED CIRCLE. IT WAS FAIRLY LARGE AND RIGHT IN THE CENTER WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A WHITE, ALMOST PUSSY-LOOKING DOT."
SARAH ROBERTS, SPIDER BITE VICTIM: "MOSTLY YESTERDAY, IF I HAD MY PANTS BRUSH UP AGAINST IT, IT ITCHED QUITE A BIT. AND EVERYTIME I TOOK A STEP IT FELT LIKE I HAD A BIT OF PAIN JUST SHOOT UP MY LEG."
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "DON'T CONFUSE THE HOBO WITH ITS COUSIN THE HARMLESS HOUSE SPIDER. THE HOBO SPIDER ALSO BUILDS A FUNNEL WEB, BUT ITS SLIGHTLY BIGGER."
The Hobo has subtle chevron markings on its back and prefers to stay on floors near corners and baseboards. And it runs very fast.
Sticky traps on the floor will trap and kill Hobos, but will not harm pets or small children.
More on Hobo Spiders
According to Hobospiders.Org:
- In Europe, human contact with Hobo spiders is uncommon because many houses contain Giant House Spiders, which are competitors to the Hobo.
- The single most effective deterrent against the Hobo spider is the presence of competing spider species.
- Reports of Hobo spider bites in Utah began in the late 1980's. The bites are/were often mistaken for bites of the brown recluse spider.
- The Hobo spider is now the leading cause of serious envenomation in the northwestern United States.
- Hobo spiders are not good climbers, and are usually found at ground or basement level.
- They are commonly found around the foundations of houses, and beneath rocks, wood, and ornaments in yards.
- Hobos move very quickly, and sometimes run toward people. Controversy has surrounded whether they are "agressive" or simply cannot see object beyond a foot or two away.
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