There are many spider species throughout Washington state, but how can you tell these creepy crawlers apart?
You may need to look closely at the arachnids in your home to understand the differences between a hobo spider vs. a wolf spider. But donât worry! Zunex is here to help!Â
Wolf spiders and hobo spiders are two very common types of spiders found throughout many areas of the United States. At first glance they appear quite similar – both have hairy brown bodies and long legs. However, there are some key differences between wolf spiders and hobo spiders that can help you distinguish between them.
Appearance: Some Similarities but Also Key Differences
Coloration
Both wolf spiders and hobo spiders are various shades of brown, which helps them blend into nature environments. Wolf spiders tend to have banded legs and abdominal patterns. Hobo spiders usually have chevron markings on their abdomens.
Hair
Wolf spiders and hobo spiders are hairy spiders. However, the hairs on a hobo spider are very fine and difficult to see without magnification. Wolf spiders have much thicker, more visible hairs covering their bodies.
Eyes
All spiders have 8 eyes. The eye arrangements differ between wolf spiders and hobo spiders but this can be hard to discern without getting a very close look.
Body Size
Wolf spiders are larger than hobo spiders. A wolf spider’s body size ranges from 0.4 inches to over 1 inch long. Hobo spiders have bodies between 0.3-0.6 inches in length.
Habits and Behavior: Hunting vs Web-Building
One of the biggest differences between wolf spiders and hobo spiders is how they catch their prey.
Wolf Spiders – Hunters
As their name suggests, wolf spiders actively hunt for insects and other small invertebrates. During the day, they wait in shallow burrows in the ground. At night, they emerge and chase down prey. Some wolf spiders ambush passing insects while others actively pursue prey once detected. Unlike other spiders, wolf spiders do not spin webs to catch food. Their excellent eyesight helps them succeed in hunting.
Hobo Spiders – Web Builders
Hobo spiders use their silk to build funnel-shaped webs, usually close to the ground or in basements and crawlspaces. The narrow part of the funnel leads to the spider’s retreat. The hobo spider waits at the wide mouth of the funnel and senses vibrations to detect trapped prey. It then rushes out and attacks. Hobo spiders rely on their webs to catch food and are not built for speed like wolf spiders.
Habitat and Range
Wolf spiders and hobo spiders live in similar habitats but have differing ranges.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are found throughout the United States, parts of Canada, and Mexico. They often live in wooded areas, grasslands, marshes, and beaches. Anywhere they can find shelter and hunt.
Hobo Spiders
Hobo spiders are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest but are spreading to other areas like the Mid-Atlantic states. Hobo spiders take shelter in small cracks and voids at ground level. They often live in wood piles, beneath rocks or mulch, and in basements.
Bites and Venom
Wolf spiders and hobo spiders do have venom and can bite humans if threatened. However, their venom is not considered medically significant in most cases.
Wolf Spider Bites
A bite from a wolf spider is comparable to a bee sting in terms of pain. Redness, swelling, and itching around the bite site are common reactions. Serious symptoms are rare. Only people with wolf spider venom allergies are at risk for anaphylaxis.
Hobo Spider Bites
Hobo spider bites can be more problematic than wolf spider bites. Their venom may cause necrosis at the wound site in some cases. Bacterial infection of the wound can worsen local tissue damage. Systemic reactions are less common with hobo spiders.
Prevention and Control
Here are some tips to help prevent wolf spiders and hobo spiders from taking up residence in your home:
- Seal cracks and openings around the home’s exterior.
- Clear clutter and debris from around the foundation.
- Reduce food sources by controlling insects inside and out.
- Remove spider webs as soon as they appear.
- Vacuum and clean floors and baseboards regularly.
- Inspect items like boxes and plants before bringing them indoors.
With proper identification and preventative measures, wolf spiders and hobo spiders don’t need to become unwelcome long-term guests. Monitoring for early signs of spider activity and addressing them promptly is key to keeping your home pest-free. When in doubt, consult a pest control professional for proper identification and advice on spider control options safe for your family and pets.
Hobo Spider vs. Wolf Spider Appearance,Â
One of the key differences between these two spiders is their appearance. From a distance, itâs easy to mistake one for another, but these pests actually look very different!
Wolf spiders are larger than most other spiders youâll find indoors. Typically reaching lengths upwards of two inches in size, wolf spiders may overshadow the smaller and less imposing hobo spider.Â
Hobo spiders are usually half of an inch or an inch smaller than an average wolf spider you see indoors. Wolf spiders arenât the largest species in the United States, but they are much bigger than most other pests youâll see indoors!
While hobo spiders share one singular coloration, wolf spiders can appear in many colors, like brown, black, and tan. Did you find a tan spider with a dark brown pattern on the lower portion of its body? You may have a hobo spider infestation.Â
Plus, wolf spiders are hairy little critters, while hobo spiders tend to have smaller and harder-to-see tufts of hair scattered around their body. When you spot a wolf spider, you can easily identify it from its body-wide fur.
Wolf spiders can pop up anywhere in your home, but they are typically close to the ground in corners, closets, basements, or other forgotten spaces. These hunting spiders donât craft intricate webs and instead prefer to hunt on their own for food.Â
Unlike wolf spiders or other common species, hobo spiders donât create a traditional spider web. These pests are considered funnel web spiders, crafting a funnel-shaped web and waiting near an end opening to snatch wandering insects.Â
Like wolf spiders, hobo spiders prefer to populate ground-floor spaces like garages or basements. Often regarded as poor climbers, hobo spiders arenât usually houseguests in upstairs areas or attics.
Because they spend most of their time near the ground, you can find either of these pests in or beside storage boxes, windows, doorways, around baseboards, or anywhere near cracks and crevices that may lead to the outdoors.Â
When outdoors, wolf spiders regularly inhabit wood piles and grassy locations. The spiders could congregate here if you have accumulated grass clippings or leaf piles. You can also find these pests under rocks or debris piles in your yard.Â
Hobo spiders may live in similar locations, but these pests prioritize dark and secluded areas to avoid interacting with humans or other predators outdoors. They may flock toward sheds or other rarely used structures in your yard.Â
Because wolf spiders donât weave webs to catch their prey, youâre more likely to spot them around your home or yard. Hobo spiders tend to stick to their webs until the male spiders begin venturing out during the mating season.Â
Wolf Spider VS Brown Recluse – How to Spot the Difference!
FAQ
Is a hobo spider the same as a wolf spider?
Wolf spiders are around a half-inch larger than hobo spiders. Wolf spiders boast noticeable hair throughout the body. Hobo spiders are primarily seen in the Pacific Northwest, while wolf spiders are everywhere. Hobo spiders are more aggressive than wolf spiders, and their bites are slightly more dangerous.
How poisonous is a hobo spider?
Unlike other spiders that have been shown to cause this condition, hobo spider venom is not considered toxic to humans according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . This is supported by studies where hobo spider venom was injected into animals and failed to show any skin reactions.
How poisonous is a wolf spider?
Wolf spiders are big, hairy and scary-looking, but they only bite when they feel the need to defend themselves. When they do bite, they’re typically harmless because their venom doesn’t pose a danger to humans. While you may experience some uncomfortable symptoms, they should go away within a few days.
Is a wolf spider the same as a giant house spider?
Are Giant House Spiders the Same as Wolf Spiders? No. Wolf spiders prefer much warmer, drier climates. Wolf spiders are also gray and prefer the outdoors.