🕷️ Hobo Spider

Eratigena agrestis · Araneae: Agelenidae

The hobo spider was once classified as dangerously venomous — but current toxicological research has significantly revised this view downward. Here's what the science actually says.

SpiderPacific NorthwestAraneaeAgelenidaeMisidentifiedLow Risk
🕷️
Risk Level
Pacific Northwest Spider
📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION
Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium spp.) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION
Spider Mite (Tetranychidae) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION
Jumping Spider (Salticidae) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION
Hobo Spider (Eudioptilus agrestis) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION
Cellar Spider (Pholcidae) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

🔬
PestControlBasics Editorial Team
Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

🔍 Identification

Adults: 8-14mm body; brown with chevron markings on abdomen; long legs; builds funnel-shaped sheet web with a retreat tube. Similar to many brown spiders — reliable identification requires microscopy. Found in western US (Pacific Northwest primarily) in ground-level locations, under debris, and occasionally indoors.

🧬 Biology & Behavior

The hobo spider was historically considered medically significant (necrotic bite risk) based on studies from the 1980s-90s. Subsequent research, including formal toxicological studies, failed to replicate the necrotic effects. Current consensus: hobo spider bites cause mild local pain and swelling — not significantly different from many common spider bites. CDC removed it from its list of dangerous spiders.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Mild bite — local pain and swelling that resolves within days. Current evidence does not support the historical claims of necrotic ulcers from hobo spider bites in healthy individuals.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Standard spider management: reduce clutter, apply residual bifenthrin to ground-level harborage, sticky trap monitors. No special treatment needed beyond standard spider control.

👷 When to Call a Pro

Rarely warranted specifically for hobo spiders.

❓ FAQ

Is the hobo spider dangerous?
Current toxicological evidence does not support the historical claims that hobo spider bites cause necrotic ulcers. The CDC removed it from its list of medically significant spiders. Bites cause mild local symptoms. The previous danger reputation was based on studies that have not been replicated by formal toxicological research.
How do I tell a hobo spider from a brown recluse?
Brown recluse: 6 eyes in 3 pairs of 2; violin marking on cephalothorax; found primarily in south-central US. Hobo spider: 8 eyes in 2 rows; no violin marking; found primarily in Pacific Northwest. Reliable field identification is very difficult — both are brown and similar sized.

🗺️ Geographic Range & Distribution

FactorDetails
U.S. RangeAll 50 states
Regional DetailBlack widow: nationwide. Brown recluse: South-Central states (not commonly found outside established range despite common misidentification). Wolf spider: nationwide.

📅 Treatment Timing Guide

Treating at the right time dramatically improves results. Pest control timed to the life cycle uses less product and achieves better long-term control.

PeriodAction
SpringInspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.
SummerActive monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.
FallPreventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

💰 Professional Treatment Costs

Service TypeDIY CostProfessional Cost
Initial inspectionFree (self-inspect)$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)
One-time treatment$30–$100 in materials$150–$500
Annual service contractN/A$400–$900/year
Severe infestationOften ineffective alone$500–$2,500+

Prices vary by region, property size, and infestation severity.

❓ Common Questions About 🕷️ Hobo Spider

How do I confirm I actually have this pest (not something similar)?
The most reliable confirmation is a physical specimen — capture one and compare to reference images on this page. For cryptic pests (bed bugs, termites), look for secondary signs: frass, shed skins, mud tubes, or bites with a specific pattern. When uncertain, a professional inspection is faster than months of misidentification.
Can I treat this myself or do I need a professional?
DIY is effective for small, accessible infestations caught early. Professionals are worth the cost when: the infestation is inside wall voids or structural elements, multiple rooms are affected, you have health-risk pests (hantavirus, venomous species), or DIY has already failed twice.
How long until the infestation is completely gone?
Expect 3–8 weeks for most infestations with proper treatment. Insects with dormant life stages (pupae, eggs) extend the timeline because those stages are impervious to most insecticides. Follow-up treatments at 2 and 4 weeks catch each new cohort as they emerge.
What's the most common mistake people make treating this pest?
Treating only the visible pest population while ignoring the harborage site, entry point, or breeding location. Killing adults provides temporary relief but the population rebuilds from hidden egg cases, pupae, or new arrivals through unaddressed entry points.
📚 Sources: CDC Venomous Spiders · EPA Safe Pest Control
Published: Jan 1, 2025 · Updated: Apr 7, 2026

🗺️ US Distribution — Hobo Spider

image/svg+xml
Common Occasional Not Present
States Present
49
Occasional
2
Primary Region
Continental US
📊 Source: University extension services, USDA, CDC vector data, and published entomological surveys.