Characteristics. The bite of a hobo spider can be dangerous and serious, leading to health issues and a lesion around the bite area. the hobo spider and many of the medium-sized Washington spiders. Thank you very much!". There is no dimorphism (difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species) in colour or markings. The hobo spider is 7–14 mm in body length, and brownish in color. Brown recluse spiders have violin shapes on their heads, and hobo spiders do not. Hobo spiders are generally smaller and have shorter legs than giant house spiders, Eratigena atrica. These are all indications the spider is not a hobo spider. Identification relies on an examination of the spider’s anatomy. The spiders have diffused and indistinct patterns on the top portion of the cephalothorax, and two dark and unique longitudinal stripes. “In general, spiders will bite only if they can’t get … You will need to use a strong hand lens on a microscope to see these hairs. They do not even bite unless they feel threatened or if they feel their egg sac is under attack. Even if it does, a large area of redness usually occurs around the bite that may cause pain, a feeling of fatigue, nausea, or weakness. Why you sleep poorly and what to do about it. Do not mix the two up cause they’re different. This guide is geared toward the interested reader who has a magnifying lens or hand lens, similar to what Master Gardeners or entomologists would use. These are nocturnal creatures and they’d run for cover if you put on the lights. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If there are two long, distinct stripes, the spider is likely not a hobo spider. Brown recluse spiders also do not have any markings on their abdomen, while hobo spiders do. "I got bitten by a hobo spider recently and am currently treating the wound myself. They are believed to have been transported to the United States via shipping lanes and ended up in Seattle, Washington. That said, this isn't the only way to tell that a spider isn't a hobo spider. Hobo spiders are brown in color and have no distinct rings on their legs, and they are covered in short hairs. References Hobo Spider Bites. ", "We have a lot of spiders around here, good to be able to identify some. Look for any legs that appear shiny, hairless, and dark-orange in color. For more tips, like how to identify a hobo spider’s bite and prevent an infection, read on! The average size of a mature Hobo Spider is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, with a leg span of 1.5 inches. Unlike hobo spiders, brown recluse spiders do not build webs. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, you should go to the nearest doctor if you suspect a Hobo spider bite. Pick another answer! Where their leg joints meet, Hobo Spiders do not have colored bands that are usually found on spiders belonging to the Agelenidae family. Adult giant house spiders are larger than hobo spiders, especially the males. Like many species of spider the positive identification of Eratigena agrestis requires microscopic examination of the epigynum and palpal bulb (the female and male sex organs respectively) and is best done by an arachnologist. 6 Hobo spider Tas3 Getty Images What they look like: Hobo spiders are tannish-brown and the top of the spider may look mottled, with darker and lighter spots, Potzler says. The mother produces about four sacs in her lifetime containing 100 eggs each, which she attaches to the bottom of an object or the surface nearby. The Hobo Spiders colouration is rather subdued, being a mixture of brown and rust earth shades. Size. has helped me better understand hobo spiders and their bites. I have severe neck pain and my left arm is weak. Any of the markings or features listed in the other answers means that a spider isn't a hobo spider. By using our site, you agree to our. They have shorter legs than other types of spiders. So if you notice a funnel shaped web in the spider’s environment, you can rule out classifying the spider as a brown recluse. The hobo spider was identified as a potentially harmful species in the 1980s because of its ability to leave a very deep flesh wound, similar to the ones inflicted by brown recluse spiders. The spider species Eratigena agrestis, commonly known as Hobo Spider, belongs to the genus Eratigena, in the family Agelenidae.Eratigena agrestis spiders have been sighted 25 times by contributing members. What should I do? A female hobo spider. Tegenaria agrestis, also called the Hobo Spider as well as the Aggressive House Spider (AHS), has been suspected of presiding in the United States as early as the 1920's and 1930's.Originally from Europe, the Hobo Spider is a species foreign to the United States. To identify a hobo spider, start by looking at its size and coloring since hobo spiders average less than 1 inch long with a brown body and legs, and yellow markings on the abdomen. The main purpose of the key is to identify the hobo spider as compared to other Tegenaria species and members of the wolf spider family (Lycosidae). Does a hobo spider have the same three rows of eyes as a wolf spider? Arachnologists believe that the Hobo Spiders that live on the west coast finish their life cycle in about a year, while the inland Hobos appear to live up to 2 to 3 years. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. They have an abdomen which is grayish in color, with yellow-colored markings in chevron or V-shaped patterns pointing towards the head. Keep in mind that a spider only needs one of these markings or features for you to rule out that it's a hobo. If the bite develops in fatty tissue on your body, such as on the inside of your arms or legs, the bite may be very deep and not heal for two to three years. Even kittens are able to catch and kill hobo spiders. Wintergreen isn't even in the mint family. Both arachnids are similar in size and brownish, but that's where most of the similarities end. If you don't have peppermint on hand, try vinegar, as spiders find vinegar to be disagreeable as well. You may have been bitten by a brown recluse spider. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. From its common name aggressive house spider, the hobo spider that tends an egg sac becomes more aggressive because it sees its egg sac as being threatened.In a US laboratory study on rabbits which were induced with hobo spider bite, the bite is considered very dangerous because it left lesions on the rabbits. Thank you for the info. In between the sternum of these spiders, a light stripe runs down that may be missed because it may be faintly visible or too light in color. A spider bit my hand and though the eye of the bite has disappeared the pinkish red ring around is slowly expanding with half the ring disappearing and the other half still around. If you are bitten by a Hobo spider, sometimes you don’t even realize it as the spider doesn’t release its venom. ", http://www.orkin.com/other/spiders/hobo-spiders/, http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html#hobo, http://www.spiderbitetreatment.com/hobo-spiders/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Hobo spider bites may cause necrosis in human beings. What Do Hobo Spiders Eat? Hobo spiders grow no more than a body size of 15 millimetres (0.59 in) long whereas the larger female giant house spider can have a body size of 18 millimetres (0.71 in), … The hobo spider will … You can spray peppermint oil in your home, put peppermint tea bags or leaves in the corners of the room, etc. This bite may develop into a blister in 2-3 days and break open which may ultimately lead to a scab. The following are case studies noted by the CDC in cases where the T. agrestis or hobo spider was known to be near: Not exactly! Look at http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-and-Treat-Recluse-(Fiddleback)-Spider-Bites for more information. Hobo spiders are moderately large spiders. Next, use a magnifying glass to examine the spider’s palpi, which look like 2 large boxing gloves on its head, to see if the palpi are enlarged, as this is a common characteristic of male hobo spiders. Hobo spiders lack which of the following characteristics? Spiders do not like peppermint. What if the spider has bands on its legs? Hobo spiders also have shorter legs than other spiders, with a leg span of less than two to three inches. Then, check the spider’s web to see if it’s at ground or basement level, is shaped like a funnel, and is not sticky, which are all indications of a hobo spider’s web. This, however, fades in a few hours and leaves a mark like that of a mosquito bite. This article received 11 testimonials and 96% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Also, a poorly fed or “sickly” giant house spider may never grow to full size. The male hobo spider is about twelve to eighteen millimeters and the female is around the same size as the male. This makes them stick to the field or ground level mostly. These palpi are the male genitalia and may appear swollen. Hobo spiders are brown and oftentimes are confused with other spiders, including the brown recluse. However, this has since been disproven. Sometimes, hobo spiders will also create webs under the siding of homes, in basements, and between plants or weeds. You could use biopesticides and synthetics to get rid of them or get professional pest control done to prevent the spider infestation problem. There are many bites in back of my head and toward my neck. To put it in numbers, you’d be surprised to know there are 200 other spider species that look alike; brown recluse spiders and wolf spiders being two of them. The spider is likely not a hobo spider if it has bands or rings on its legs. Ensure to keep your houses especially the basements and garages neat, clean and tidy always. 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). But you can look at other parts of the spider for clues as well. Its brown legs are … Guess again! ", "Your pictures & info have confirmed that I do indeed have hobo spiders in my home. The body length of a hobo spider is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with a leg span of about 1-2 inches. Choose another answer! When you first get bitten, you'll have a raised bump like a mosquito bite. Its body ranges from 0.8 -1.4 cm in length. Unlikely, as the common house cat is the only known predator of the hobo spider. Picture Source : mddk.com. Interesting Facts About the Hobo Spider These creatures have a number of interesting traits and behaviors. Hobo spiders are known for making a funnel-like web with the ability to … We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. If you see longitudinal stripes on the main body part of the spider, then it is NOT a hobo spider. You should also look for fine, almost clear hairs called plumose setae on the spider’s body. Female hobo spiders also have palpi but they will not appear swollen. Check if the spider has spots on its sternum, which is the flat shield like section on the top of the spider, surrounded by its legs. X By 36 hours later, though, the bite will look different. Clean up areas where you have debris collected because that’s where they build their funnel webs. Spread the word with your peers and family members and mystify them with the knowledge of these creepy looking creatures as well.