Hobo spiders predominantly reside in the Pacific Northwest which includes states such as Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. As of recently, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence to suggest Hobo spiders have migrated down past northern California, so it would be unlikely to find a Hobo spider in Santa Barbara. A Black Widow spider is more common in this area, but the symptoms of such a bite differ from that of a Hobo spider bite. Black Widow venom is neurotoxic, suggesting feelings of pain, nausea, weakness, and fatigue; Hobo venom is necrotic, suggesting skin ulcers and blistering.

Nevertheless, if you feel you’ve been bitten by a venomous spider or other organism, it is best to call California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and seek professional medical advice immediately from a physician or toxicologist. If you find the culprit, attempt to safely capture it for identification.