How To Get Rid Of Hobo Spiders
Hobo spiders can be unsettling to find indoors, especially because they resemble more dangerous species. While they are not considered medically significant in most recent studies, they’re still an unwanted nuisance and a sign that your property may have other pest or moisture issues. If you’re a home or business owner dealing with these spiders on your own, the key is eliminating their hiding spots, reducing food sources, and sealing entry points:
Identify the Spiders Correctly
Before taking action, confirm that you’re actually dealing with hobo spiders (Eratigena agrestis). They’re typically brown with faint chevron patterns on the abdomen and lack the distinct “violin” marking of brown recluses. Hobo spiders build horizontal funnel-shaped webs near ground level—such as along foundation cracks, window wells, or cluttered basements.
Eliminate Clutter and Hiding Areas
Hobo spiders thrive in dark, undisturbed areas. Clean up:
Basements, crawl spaces, and garages by removing boxes, paper piles, and debris.
Outdoor areas by trimming grass near foundations and clearing leaves, woodpiles, and rocks where spiders hide and hunt.
This deprives them of nesting sites and forces them out into the open where you can remove them.
Vacuum Regularly and Remove Webs
Frequent vacuuming physically removes spiders, webs, egg sacs, and insect prey. Focus on:
Corners, window wells, baseboards, and along walls
Under furniture and storage shelves
Dispose of vacuum bags or canisters outside immediately to prevent escape or re-infestation.
Reduce Insect Prey
Hobo spiders feed on ground-dwelling insects. If your property attracts crickets, ants, or other pests, spiders will follow. Use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies:
Keep food sealed and crumbs cleaned up.
Fix leaks and reduce indoor humidity (dehumidifiers help).
Repair torn window screens and weather stripping.
Seal Entry Points
Hobo spiders often enter through cracks and gaps near the foundation, door thresholds, or basement windows.
Use silicone caulk to seal cracks in walls, around pipes, and along windows.
Install door sweeps and tight-fitting screens.
Replace worn weatherstripping to eliminate easy entry routes.
Apply Targeted Insecticides (If Necessary)
For severe infestations, you can use residual insecticides labeled for spiders:
Focus on baseboards, foundation perimeters, corners, and behind storage areas.
Use dust formulations (like silica or diatomaceous earth) in wall voids and cracks.
Avoid overapplication; these are deterrents, not stand-alone solutions.
Maintain Exterior Barriers
To keep spiders from re-entering, create an exterior “no-spider zone”:
Move mulch, firewood, and vegetation several feet away from the foundation.
Keep outdoor lighting minimal or switch to yellow bulbs that attract fewer insects (and thus fewer spiders).
Continue Monitoring
Use sticky traps along baseboards, corners, and entry points to track activity. This helps confirm whether your measures are working and identifies recurring hot spots that may need sealing or treatment.
The best DIY way to get rid of hobo spiders is through environmental modification and exclusion—not just sprays. Clean thoroughly, seal openings, reduce prey, and maintain dry, clutter-free conditions. This approach removes their reasons for staying and prevents new spiders from settling in.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Hobo Spiders
Our professional spider control is the best way to eliminate an infestation of hobo spiders because we combine precise identification, advanced treatment methods, and long-term prevention that homeowners simply can’t achieve with over-the-counter solutions. Hobo spiders are ground-dwelling funnel web spiders that often hide in deep cracks, cluttered areas, or behind structural voids, making them extremely difficult to locate and remove without specialized training and tools. Our licensed pest control experts know how to identify true hobo spider activity versus lookalike species, determine the full extent of the infestation, and apply targeted treatments that reach where spiders nest and breed.
Our professionals use residual insecticides, dust applications, and exclusion techniques specifically designed to control hobo spiders while minimizing risk to people, pets, and property. We can also treat the underlying insect populations that attract hobo spiders in the first place—something most DIY efforts overlook. In addition, our technicians inspect for moisture issues, foundation cracks, and other structural vulnerabilities that allow spiders inside, then seal or recommend repairs to prevent re-entry.
Unlike short-term DIY sprays that only kill visible spiders, our professional control focuses on breaking the entire cycle—eliminating egg sacs, hidden adults, and future generations. Our professional team also provides ongoing maintenance plans to ensure your property remains spider-free year-round. Our professional spider control provides the thorough inspection, expert identification, targeted treatment, and proactive prevention necessary to completely eradicate hobo spiders and stop them from returning.