You Won't Find Funnel-Web Spiders In The US, But There Is A Similar Arachnid

Certain types of funnel-web spiders (Hadronyche spp., Atrax spp. and Illawarra spp.) are notorious for their strong venom that has resulted in human fatalities. The most dangerous species, Sydney funnel-web spiders, are largely confined to eastern Australia with other species living in Europe, Chile, and New Zealand. Thankfully, due to improvements in anti-venom there have not been any recent deaths. While North America is free from the dangerous varieties of funnel-web spiders, it does have funnel weaver spiders which are in a different family than the Australian funnel-web spiders. There have been no reported cases of bites from these shy arachnids though, and other than their funnel shaped webs, these spiders have little in common with the dangerous funnel-web spiders of Australia. 

Of course it is always best to err on the side of caution when dealing with an animal you can't identify. If you are concerned about a spider in or around your home, you can check with a pest control company to ensure it is not dangerous. 

The spiders you'll find weaving funnels throughout North America, from the hobo spider to the grass spider and barn funnel weaver aren't a threat to you, but they can certainly do a number on pesky insects, making them beneficial to have in yards and gardens. Unlike the dangerous funnel-web spiders of Australia which are largely big black spiders, the funnel weavers in North America are often tan or light brown. In fact, you may not even be able to tell they are funnel weavers at all other than by their large spinnerets. 

The distinctive funnels of funnel weaver spiders are created to help the spiders trap prey with little effort, simply waiting for insects to wander in and then quickly capturing them. Spiders generally lay their eggs within the web as well. The back of the funnel generally has a narrow exit the spider can escape through if necessary.

As beneficial as spiders can be, if you want to rid your home of hobo spiders or their other funnel weaving relatives then the first step is to ensure your house is clean and clutter free. Regularly dusting is sure to help keep spiders away and even something as simple as vacuuming goes a long way toward controlling the populations of both spiders and the insects they hunt. You can also opt to use humane traps to gather them up and then release them back outdoors.

The best way to handle spiders is to avoid giving them opportunities to get inside your house in the first place. Don't plant ivy or other spider-attracting plants near your home and be sure your window screens are free of holes or tears. Don't forget to seal any cracks in your foundation as well, and check the weather proofing around your doors and windows as well.