Q&A for How to Identify a Hobo Spider

You can also identify hobo spiders by examining their eyes. Starting from the top and moving downwards, you'll notice a distinct pattern: a pair of large eyes followed by two smaller eyes flanking at an angle, and finally, two additional eyes in the middle below the larger pair. This staggered arrangement repeats symmetrically on both sides. In contrast, grass spiders have their eyes clustered differently, with the pair of eyes positioned above the larger pair. This eye arrangement serves as a reliable way to differentiate between hobo spiders and other similar species, such as domestic house spiders or grass spiders. Focusing on eye structure rather than solely on memorizing patterns or colors can aid in accurately identifying spider species.

Go to a doctor. Based on the bite, your doctor may be able to determine what bit you and what precautions to take.

The spider is likely not a hobo spider if it has bands or rings on its legs.

Unlikely, as the common house cat is the only known predator of the hobo spider. Many people will place the cat's litter box in the area where they notice the hobo spiders entering their house (pipes in bathroom, doorway, etc.). Even kittens are able to catch and kill hobo spiders.

No, they do not. But they are fairly quick runners like the giant house spider.

Hobo spider bites do not develop into a blister or an open wound until 24 hours after the bite. If the welt turns black and blue and feels painful right after you have been bitten, it is likely not a hobo spider bite. You may have been bitten by a brown recluse spider. Look at http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-and-Treat-Recluse-(Fiddleback)-Spider-Bites for more information.

No, they do not. They have two rows.

No. Wintergreen does not have the same terpenes as peppermint, and is not notably effective in repelling spiders. Wintergreen isn't even in the mint family. The closest relative to peppermint is probably spearmint, which also produces different terpenes that are not likely to work against spiders (though some of them may work against mosquitoes). If you don't have peppermint on hand, try vinegar, as spiders find vinegar to be disagreeable as well. Combining a few drops of peppermint oil in a base of vinegar, rather than plain water, makes an especially effective spray.

Spiders do not like peppermint. You can spray peppermint oil in your home, put peppermint tea bags or leaves in the corners of the room, etc.

Hobo spiders eat various insects and other arachnids.

Wolf spiders are slightly larger, and do not spin webs. Hobo spiders make funnel-like webs. The do not have the same patterns.

Hobo spiders spin funnel webs and look a lot like grass spiders. They have brown - dark brown legs and a brownish grey, fuzzy abdomen with a lot of tiny, paler brown spots and kind of a downwards, double zigzag pattern. The cephalothorax is more of a tan with a black inner outline that looks like 2 thin black stripes. The legs have bristly looking hairs and the cephalothorax is not fuzzy. Hobo spiders have large fangs.

No, but species of brown recluse spiders, which are similar in appearance, have been introduced to Florida.

At all cases it is best to seek medical attention however if you want to be more specific, check whether the bite is swelling, growing larger and oozing pus or a liquid. Also, consider whether you are having any negative symptoms, such as pain around the body as well as feeling nauseous or dizzy.

Hobo spider is a common term used to describe a spider found predominantly in the Pacific North-western United States, which includes the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Utah.