Summary
A large funnel-weaving spider introduced to the Pacific Northwest from Europe. Closely related to the hobo spider and increasingly displacing it indoors. Conspicuous because of its size - leg span can exceed 100 mm - but not medically significant.
Quick answers
- Is Giant House Spider dangerous to humans?
- No. Current evidence does not link giant house spider bites to serious medical outcomes in healthy adults.
- How big is an adult giant house spider?
- Adult female body length is 11–18 mm; males are 10–15 mm. Leg span reaches 45–100 mm.
- Where does Giant House Spider live?
- Indoors: basements, crawlspaces, garages, low corners. Outdoors: woodpiles, sheds. Established U.S. populations occur in 3 states.
- What does Giant House Spider eat and when is it active?
- Insects falling onto the sheet web. Nocturnal. Males wander in late summer and early fall searching for mates - the form most commonly encountered by homeowners.
Identification
- Body 11–18 mm with very long legs (leg span to 100 mm)
- Brown with subtle chevron pattern on abdomen
- Dark banding on the legs (vs. the unbanded hobo spider)
- Two long, visible spinnerets
Morphometrics
| Measurement | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Body length | 11–18 mm | 10–15 mm |
| Leg span | 45–100 mm | - |
| Lifespan | 2–6 years | - |
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Web type | Sheet web with funnel retreat in low corners, basements, and crawlspaces. |
| Eye arrangement | Eight eyes in two rows of four. |
| Eggs per sac | 40–60 |
| Egg sacs per year | 1–3 |
Geographic range
Native range: Native to Europe; introduced to coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
U.S. states with established populations: California (northern), Oregon, Washington.
State pages covering Giant House Spider
Habitat & behavior
Habitat: Indoors: basements, crawlspaces, garages, low corners. Outdoors: woodpiles, sheds.
Activity: Nocturnal. Males wander in late summer and early fall searching for mates - the form most commonly encountered by homeowners.
Diet: Insects falling onto the sheet web.
Venom & medical significance
| Venom property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Not medically significant |
| LD₅₀ | Not established |
| Note | - |
Bite symptoms & first aid
Symptoms
- Bites very rare; mild local irritation only
Commonly confused with
- Hobo spider
- Wolf spider
- Barn funnel weaver
Key facts
- Recent research suggests E. atrica is displacing the hobo spider (E. agrestis) in indoor environments throughout the Pacific Northwest. [1]
Sources
- [1]Hobo and Giant House Spiders - Washington State University Extension. Accessed 2026-06-14.