Bugs and spiders in Missouri

What to watch for in Missouri

The brown recluse and both the northern and southern black widows are established in Missouri, and the recluse and northern widow are recorded often. Black widow bites can cause strong muscle pain and cramps, and some recluse bites heal slowly. Get medical advice after a worrying bite, or call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222). Indoors, recluses are most often found in closets, basements, attics and garages.

The lone star tick is the most recorded tick, then the American dog tick and the blacklegged tick, and all three can carry disease. Lone star bites are also linked to alpha-gal syndrome. The brown dog tick mainly feeds on dogs and can breed indoors. The yellow fever mosquito is established in parts of the state, alongside the house mosquito.

Through the year

Spring

Eastern carpenter bees are most active from April, with males hovering near nests and females drilling.

Summer

Mosquito season runs roughly June through October, and eastern yellowjacket nests keep growing toward their late-summer peak.

Fall

Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs and brown marmorated stink bugs move in, and new carpenter bee adults show up in late summer.

Winter

The Missouri Department of Conservation notes that house centipedes are especially noticed in homes in winter, and greenhouse camel crickets are around too.