Hobo Spiders are brown and measure roughly 12 to 18 mm in length. Their legs show no distinct rings and have short hairs. Their abdomens have several chevron shaped markings. Males are distinctively different from females in that they have two large palps that look like boxing gloves. These palps are often mistaken for fangs or venom sacs, but they are in fact the male genitalia. The females also have these palps, but the ends are not 'swollen' as they are on the males. See similar questions...

Size: body is typically about 1/2 inch long. Legs are relatively long. The complete size, including the legs, is about the diameter of a quarter coin or a little bigger. Eyes: three pairs of eyes, one in the center and one pair to each side. Of course, if you are close enough to see the eye arrangement, hopefully the spider is either dead or inside a jar. Marking: Brown recluse are often called violin spiders because of the violin marking on the cephalothorax (front body region). See similar questions...

Although the females tend to keep hidden, the males are more likely to be seen. Although they may do more of their travel at night, they can be seen during the day. They have small fangs and are unlikely to be able to bite through clothing. However, if they are inside shoes, gloves or other items of clothing, they may bite when the clothing is put on and the spider is under pressure. See similar questions...

They can be found anywhere in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado,and Southern British Columbia. We feel that it is likely that there are Hobos in Northern California. We have also received spider samples from the many parts of Mid-West and North Eastern USA which appear to be Hobo spiders. The Red areas of the maps show regions with Hobo Spiders. See similar questions...

Clean up spider egg sacks. The brown recluse sack is a mass of white silk, roughly circular, but flattened, and attached to a wall or other surface. Caution: Sometimes cleaning up their webbing without killing them, makes matters worse, by prompting them to wander around in search of new places to build webs. People have been bitten during or after cleaning. Place glue boards, available at hardware and department stores, around the house; plenty of them. See similar questions...

Although they are more common in states south of us, they so exist here. They are not aggressive and people are rarely bitten, but it does happen. See similar questions...

Brown recluse prefer hot, dry conditions, so lowering the temperature and raising the humidity may help. Use weather stripping and door sweeps to keep out not only spiders, but insects, mice and cold drafts. Limit the use of white porch lights. Yellow lights are less likely to attract insects and the spiders that feed on them. insecticide barrier around the foundation of the building may help, but will need to be reapplied as the insecticide breaks down over time. See similar questions...

To the left is a picture of a Hobo Spider bite. About 50% of Hobo Spider bites are 'dry,' meaning that no venom is injected, and nothing happens to the victim. Often times the victim does not even realize that he has been bit. See similar questions...

There are 3 major predator spider types that if found in homes seem to reduce the amount of Hobo spiders: the Steatoda spiders, Large jumping spiders, and the other harmless European House spiders. Pets such as cats will feed on Hobo and Brown Recluse spiders after playing with them. The preying mantis will also eat Hobo spiders but due to its day time activity and the Hobo spiders night time activity optimum results are not achieved. See similar questions...

Yes and no. The giant house spider and the domestic or common house spider are both cousins to the Hobo spider and look very similar with obvious differences. The domestic house (Tegenaria domestica) spider is smaller than the Hobo spider and has distinct rings on its legs but it does have similar V shapes on it's abdomen. See similar questions...

To the left is a picture of a Hobo Spider bite. Brown Recluse bites are the same. About 50% of bites are 'dry,' meaning that no venom is injected, and nothing happens to the victim. Often times the victim does not even realize that he has been bit. See similar questions...

Answer: Absolutely not! Colorado is not part of the natural range of this spider. Although single specimens are sometimes brought into the state, natural populations are not found in Colorado. The brown recluse is the common name for the species Loxosceles reclusa. All species in the genus Loxosceles have venom that can cause necrotic lesions in humans. However, as with the majority of spiders, brown recluse spiders bite humans only when seriously provoked. See similar questions...

A Brown Recluse is a relatively rare, poisonous spider that lives in the Midwest US. The following collection of links deal specifically with the habits and behaviours of the Brown Recluse. This site collects information on brown recluse spider bites and tracks information about them. There is a searchable database containing information on treatments, bite location, bite severity and regional distribution. See similar questions...

First, it is unlikely that you will find a brown recluse spider in your home since they are not known to occur in Oregon. Brown recluse spiders live in the south central Midwest from Nebraska to Ohio and south through Texas to Georgia. However, you may find a hobo spider, giant house spider, or European house spider in your home. These three spiders are related and they look very similar. See similar questions...

Some people may be bitten with little reaction. Others may show strong allergic reactions, itching, rashes, and even serious infection and flesh decay. However, sometimes other types of infections, bites, etc., are mistaken for brown recluse spider bites. The victim may be unaware of the bite for three to eight hours, when the bite may become red, swollen and tender. Apply ice to the affected area and raise it. Seek medical attention immediately. See similar questions...

There are 3 major predator spider types that if found in homes seem to reduce the amount of Hobo spiders. These spiders are the Steatoda spiders, Large jumping spiders, and the other harmless European House spiders. We are working on getting some pictures on our web site but have not accomplished that yet. The preying mantis will also eat Hobo spiders but due to its day time activity and the Hobo spiders night time activity optimum results are not achieved. See similar questions...

In order to kill Hobo spiders with pesticides you usually have to hit the spider directly with large doses. The problem with non discriminate spraying is that you kill the good competitor and predator spiders and insects and thus make more room for the more mobile and hardy Hobo spider. This will often lead to a worse problem with Hobo spiders as I witnessed in 1997 in my own home. See similar questions...