anonyme
EmmyJane: it would be difficult (more like impossible) to identify a hobo spider without doing a microscopic identification of the genitalia. And the idea that spiders “run at you” is another total MYTH. Well, with the possible exceptions of one South American and one Australian species…but not a concern of ours in the PNW. For the most part spiders are oblivious to our existence, except for a change in light or vibration in the general area. You cannot spider-proof a house, nor is there any such thing as a “migration inward”. The Seattle Times had an article on spiders this past weekend that answers many of these questions.
Sorry EmmyJ, I’m not trying to bust your chops, it’s just that spiders were my field of study for many years & I kinda know what I’m talking about. I’m sure that if this thread persists, every urban myth and fear in regard to spiders will surface — and there are plenty of them.
BTW, the staple of most spiders diets are other spiders.