House Spider Information

The term "house spider" really refers to three common species of spider, all in the Tegeneria genus. These three spiders are the common house spider, the hobo spider, and the giant house spider. All three are native to parts of the United States and can be found inside the home.

Hobo Spider

Hobo spiders are usually found in the northwestern United States. The hobo spider is a light brown color. It measures about 1/4 of an inch in length. Hobo spiders make a web, called a "funnel web," that stretches across a hole in the ground or a crack in a wall. When an insect walks across the web, the spider emerges from the hole or crack to grab it and eat it. The hobo spider got its name because it was originally thought to have spread to distant towns on trains. The hobo spider, unlike the common house spider and the giant house spider, can be dangerous to humans. Though its bite is not deadly to humans, the hobo spider's venom can cause severe pain, inflammation, and death of the tissue surrounding the bite area. In severe hobo spider bite cases, surgery is needed in order to remove dead tissue from the body and repair the damaged skin.

Common House Spider
The common house spider, also known as the domestic house spider, is found throughout much of the United States, particularly in the southeastern states such as Florida. Common house spiders are yellow/brown in color with darker colored rings on their legs. They often have a light-colored spot on the highest portion of their abdomen. Common house spiders construct webs in small areas such as the corners of walls on the floor or ceiling. Common house spiders often build the familiar-looking "cobwebs" in the home.

Giant House Spider
Like the hobo spider, the giant house spider is native to the northwestern United States. As its name implies, the giant house spider is large. Giant house spiders are often mistaken for hobo spiders because they are similar in coloring. Giant house spiders, though larger than hobo spiders, are far less dangerous to humans. In fact, the giant house spider is known to eat the hobo spider and so can be beneficial in keeping hobo spiders out of the same house.

In the Home

Common house spiders and giant house spiders are found in households much more frequently than hobo spiders. These spiders generally come indoors in search of prey such as moths, flies, and other insects. Spiders can be beneficial to the home by keeping the insect population down.

Keeping Spiders Out
The easiest way to avoid spiders entering the household is by keeping insects out of the home. If spiders do not have insects to eat, they will not invade a house. By keeping trash at a minimum, the insect population will remain low and, because of this, the spider population will remain low. Spraying the corners and entryways of a house with spider repellent is also a good way of ensuring that spiders will not enter the home. Covering cracks and crevices in the floors and walls will also keep spiders from having a way into the house.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6565510_house-spider-information.html