Spiders That Make Funnel Webs in Washington

Funnel web spiders or funnel weavers make webs in the shape of a funnel. Several types of funnel web spiders are found in the Pacific Northwestern state of Washington and in Canada. The relatively harmless funnel web spiders in Washington bite only when threatened, unlike the poisonous funnel web spiders found in Australia.

  1. Tegenaria Agrestis

    • This spider, commonly known as the hobo spider, spins funnel webs in damp and dark places such as basements, waiting for their prey at the mouth of the funnel. When an insect gets entangled in the web the spider feels the vibration and attacks and kills the prey. The web looks like a curved, broad funnel open at both ends. The hobo spider does not normally harm humans but may bite humans out of fright.

    Tegenaria Domestica

    • The domestic house spider, also known as the barn funnel weaver, builds funnel webs in houses around Washington state. The spider does not harm humans unless the funnel web is disturbed. The spider spins the funnel web over flat surfaces like window sills. If the web remains undisturbed, the spider can continue to make a very large web.

    Tegenaria Gigantia

    • The giant house spider found in Washington State and Canada does not harm humans and their bite does not cause serious wounds. They have long legs and reach up to 18 millimeters in length. These spiders build funnel-shaped webs in flowerbeds, woodpiles and in shaded areas near homes. They also build webs in damp parts of homes, such as basements.

    Agelenopsis

    • Known as the grass spider, this spider makes funnel webs on grass surfaces from summer to the beginning of fall. They are found in Washington State and Canada and have vertically striped brown bodies.