Bugs and spiders in Alabama

What to watch for in Alabama

Southern black widow, northern black widow, brown widow and brown recluse are all established in Alabama, and the southern black widow and brown recluse are recorded most often. They favor sheltered spots, so wear gloves when you move stored boxes, firewood or garage clutter. If you think one bit you and you are worried about the symptoms, get medical advice or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Four ticks are established here: lone star, American dog, blacklegged and brown dog. The lone star tick is the one recorded most. All of them can carry disease, and lone star tick bites are also linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy. Brown dog ticks live mostly indoors with dogs. Red imported fire ants are established as well, and eastern yellowjackets are common around food and trash by late summer.

Through the year

Spring

Black carpenter ant swarmers appear around March through June, eastern carpenter bees hover near nests in April through June, and pill bugs and rough sowbugs wander in after rain.

Summer

American cockroaches are most active in the warm months, greenhouse millipedes show up after heavy rain, and eastern yellowjacket nests keep growing.

Fall

Asian lady beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs move in during the fall, boxelder bugs start in late August, and yellow garden spiders and spotted orbweavers are at their most noticeable.

Winter

Brown marmorated stink bugs stir on warm winter days, Asian lady beetles try to get outside again from February, and long-bodied cellar spiders, house centipedes and Indianmeal moths stay around indoors.