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Domestic
House Spider
Characteristics –
Size: May measure up to one inch in length with a leg span up to two
inches.
Color: Brownish gray with a number of various markings.
The domestic house spider is closely related to the hobo spider and is difficult
to distinguish from that species.
Behavior –
Domestic house spiders are funnel-web spiders, meaning they construct flat webs
which have a funnel shaped retreat at one end. The females spend most of their
lives in the webs, while the males and immature spiders may wander about in
search of females or better nesting sites. It is usually these males or young
spiders that are seen by homeowners. Unlike the hobo spider, which resembles
this spider, the domestic house spider does not have a dangerous bite.
Habitat – The domestic house spider is found from central
and northern California up through the Pacific Northwest in Washington, Idaho
and Oregon. This species prefers to build its webs where a hole or crack exists
in which it can locate its funnel retreat. Such webs are usually found in
basements, crawl spaces, garages and outdoors in vegetation.
Tips for Control – The key for controlling the domestic
house spider is to look for webs and remove them, making sure a treatment is
applied into any crack associated with a web to be sure the spider has been
killed.
Steps that should be taken to prevent new spiders from entering include:
 | Removing or limiting heavy, ground-covering vegetation near the building.
| Sealing cracks and holes in the building s exterior.
| Installing tight-fitting screens on all attic and foundation vents.
| Sealing holes around pipes indoors to prevent spiders from entering the
living spaces of the home by following plumbing lines in basements and crawl
spaces. |
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