Quick Answer: What’s Common in Northern California Homes?
Wolf spiders
- Common throughout Northern California
- Frequently found around homes (especially garages and ground-level areas)
Hobo spiders
- UC IPM guidance notes the hobo spider is not established in California
- Many “hobo spider” reports are actually look-alike spiders (often funnel weavers)
If you’re seeing lots of spiders indoors, it’s usually a sign of:
- Easy entry points (gaps, door seals, screens)
- Insect activity (spiders follow food)
- Harborage near the home (clutter, wood piles, dense vegetation)
For a deeper dive into wolf spider behavior and prevention, see our guide to Wolf Spiders in Northern California Homes.
Hobo Spider vs Wolf Spider: Key Differences Homeowners Can Use
Markings can be confusing. However, behavior and location are more reliable.
Webs and hunting style
- Wolf spider: hunts; does not rely on a “catch web” indoors
- Hobo look-alikes (often funnel weavers): commonly associated with funnel-style webbing in corners, cracks, and sheltered edges
Where you find them
- Wolf spider: garages, baseboards, near doors, along walls; sometimes found in tubs/sinks because they slip in and can’t climb smooth surfaces well
- Funnel weavers: around foundations, window wells, crawl space openings, cluttered edges, and other sheltered perimeter areas
Movement
- Wolf spider: fast runner; may freeze, then sprint
- Funnel weavers: quick too, but often stays close to a web/retreat area
Overall look (very general)
- Wolf spider: often looks hairier (including hairy legs) and more “robust”
- Funnel weavers: often slimmer with more uniform coloring (varies by species)
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
- Wolf spiders are not considered medically significant to most people
- They can bite if handled or trapped against skin
- Most bites are mild, but any bite can become irritated or infected
If you’re concerned about medically significant spiders, focus on species like widows and (in some regions) recluses.
Do Hobo Spiders Bite?
Spiders can bite, but in California the bigger issue is confusion:
- Many “hobo spider bite” stories online may actually involve other causes (skin infections, allergic reactions, or different insects)
- Because the hobo spider is not considered established in California, suspected “hobo bites” are often misattributed
If you believe you’ve been bitten and symptoms are severe, get medical care.
Concerning signs include: rapidly spreading redness, blistering, fever, significant pain, or worsening symptoms over time
Why You’re Seeing More Spiders Indoors Right Now (Northern California)
Indoor spider sightings tend to rise when:
- Temperatures drop and outdoor insects shift
- Rain and moisture push insects (and the spiders that eat them) closer to structures
- Holiday storage and garage clutter create hiding places
- Door seals and small gaps make it easy for wandering spiders to enter
If you’re also noticing a lot of webs, this guide can help: Removing Spider Webs and Keeping Them From Coming Back.
What To Do When You Find a Spider in Your House
A calm, practical plan works best.
Don’t handle it bare-handed
- Use a cup-and-card method, a container, or a vacuum
- Empty the vacuum/canister outside afterward
Reduce the insect “food source”
- Spiders follow insects
- If you have recurring insects indoors, a proactive perimeter approach usually reduces spiders too
Seal entry points
- Door sweeps and weather stripping
- Window screens
- Gaps around plumbing/cable lines
- Garage door side seals and bottom seal
Reduce harborage next to the home
- Move stored items away from the foundation
- Keep firewood off the ground and away from the house
- Trim dense vegetation against the structure
When To Call a Professional for Spider Control
Consider professional help if:
- You’re seeing spiders daily (especially in multiple rooms)
- You’re finding egg sacs or repeated webbing in the same areas
- You have a crawl space/attic/garage that’s hard to inspect safely
- Someone in the home is highly anxious about spiders (peace of mind matters)
You can request an instant spider control quote, and we’ll recommend the right next step for your home and your area.
Hobo Spider vs Wolf Spider in Northern California: Final Takeaway (And How To Keep Them Out)
Most “hobo spider vs wolf spider” questions in Northern California end up being:
- Wolf spider (common), or
- A hobo look-alike (often a funnel weaver-type spider)
Either way, the best long-term solution is the same: a proactive home pest control plan (not just a one-time spray).
At Big Time Pest Control, our home pest control plans are built for year-round protection and include routine service to help keep spider activity down. Serving Sacramento, Anderson, Redding, and communities throughout Northern California, our pest control team is ready to help local homeowners get rid of this fast-moving spider and other house-infesting pests!
Contact us today and we’ll recommend the best option for your home and family.
