What’s the Difference Between Hobo Spiders and Wolf Spiders?
Twinsies in appearance, but that’s where the similarities end
Highlights
From a distance, wolf spiders and hobo spiders look similar.
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.
Whenever you see a giant spider roaming on the floor, your first impulse is likely to shrink away in fear, assuming it’s the dreaded brown recluse spider. However, most of the arachnids in our homes are relatively harmless. Two more populous species that enjoy visiting (and living) in our houses are wolf spiders and hobo spiders. The more you know about these spiders, the better you’ll sleep at night after seeing one.
Below, we’ve broken down all of the nuances between wolf and hobo spiders so you can correctly identify them before choosing to remove or live and let live.
What Are the Differences Between Hobo Spiders and Wolf Spiders?
The biggest differences between these spiders are their preferred geographic locations, specific physical characteristics, and the nastiness of bites. Here’s a table that goes over the significant contrasts between these two ravenous insect-eaters:
| Type of Difference | Hobo Spiders | Wolf Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3/4 – 1 1/2 inches | 1 – 2 inches |
| Color | Light brown | Variety of hues |
| Amount of Fur | Thin and sparse | Thick and all over |
| Location | Northwest USA | Everywhere |
| Aggression | Will bite | Will hide |
Hobo Spiders vs Wolf Spiders: Differences in Appearance
These spiders look identical from a distance, making it challenging to figure out which is which. Once you get up close, however, each spider boasts unique physical signifiers, so you’ll know what's up if you need to contact your local pest control company.
Size
First and foremost, the common wolf spider is quite a bit larger than a hobo spider. Female wolf spiders grow to nearly 2 inches long, while hobo spiders max out at around 1 1/2 inches. Generally speaking, hobo spiders are typically around a 1/2-inch smaller than wolf spiders. Still, both are larger than most pests you see crawling the home.
Hair
Wolf spiders are hairy little things with noticeable fur nearly everywhere on the body. On the other hand, hobo spiders have hit the barber shop, as they boast small scatterings of hair around the body. The hair on a hobo spider is also much finer than a wolf spider's. So, if you’re looking at a relatively large spider with body-wide fur, it’s likely a wolf spider.
Color
Wolf spiders are often called brownish-gray, but in reality, they run the gamut of colors from brown to gray, and some are even tan or orange. On the other hand, hobo spiders are a bit more static in appearance, as the vast majority are a simple muted brown.
Other Identifiers
There are other ways to separate these spiders based on their physical appearance. Each species has eight eyes, but the wolf spider has three rows of visible eyes, whereas the hobo spider boasts the standard arachnid formation of two rows of eyes. Both spiders feature three tarsal claws at the end of each leg, but a wolf spider’s legs are typically thicker than a hobo spider’s.
Habitat and Location Differences
As they look pretty similar, you can tell these spiders apart by where you live and where they are roaming around the house. Here’s how that breaks down.
Geographic Location
Hobo spiders are primarily concentrated in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S., as they prefer humid areas. If you live in Georgia and wonder which species is crawling around your floorboards, it’s likely a wolf spider. Wolf spiders are common around the country, not just in the northwest. This species is remarkably hearty and can handle nearly any weather condition. They’ve even been spotted in the Sahara Desert.
Indoor and Outdoor Life
Wolf spiders live exclusively outdoors until the weather forces them into our homes. If the weather is temperate and you don’t know which spiders are in the house, it’s more likely a hobo spider. These spiders are homebodies, as they prefer the safety and comfort of an indoor space to slowly and methodically wait for prey to fall into their funnel web.
Preferred Indoor Spots
Both spiders like corners, closets, basements, and other out-of-the-way spots, but hobo spiders go a step further, actively pursuing the darker parts of the home. Additionally, wolf spiders are better climbers than hobo spiders, so you’ll see them on the floor upstairs or in the attic. For the most part, hobo spiders stick to the lower floors.
Bites and Aggression Differences
There’s no doubt about it. Hobo spiders are much more aggressive than wolf spiders. They have poor eyesight, so hobo spiders bite anything they deem a threat. A hobo spider bite is more painful than a wolf spider bite, though neither is life-threatening. Wolf spider bites cause the same amount of pain as a bee sting, more or less, with symptoms lasting just a day or two. In other words, you won’t have to treat one of these bites. Hobo spider bites cause increased pain, swelling, and redness, with effects lasting for several days. Additionally, these bites can scab over.
Feeding Differences
These spiders gorge on insects like nobody’s business but capture their prey in distinct ways. Wolf spiders, as the name suggests, are constantly on the hunt, crawling throughout the home in search of prey. Once they find a tasty morsel, the arachnid pounces on its target to finish it off, again recalling its lupine namesake. Hobo spiders, on the other hand, are timid and patient. They spin webs shaped like a funnel and hang out at one end. Once an insect gets caught in the other end of the web, they pull it in further to start feasting.
Prevention Differences
The process to remove and prevent wolf spiders and hobo spiders is similar. Use a dedicated insect vacuum to gently suck them up and place them outside, or use a large cup to remove them. Both species don’t threaten humans and help eliminate insects, so always err on the humane side.
As for prevention, seal up obvious entryways throughout your home’s exterior to keep them from coming in. Dissuade them from sticking around by laying out essential oils like cinnamon oil. You can also hire a pest control expert to eradicate their primary food source of bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both hobo and wolf spiders resemble brown recluse spiders, both in habitat and physical appearance. However, these species lack the tell-tale violin-shaped markings under the head that classify a brown recluse. Both species also have shorter legs than the dreaded brown recluse.
Many brownish housebound arachnids could be mistaken for hobo or wolf spiders, including nursery web spiders. An easy way to classify is to look for traditional spider webs, as neither hobos nor wolves participate in this practice.