Bugs and spiders in Nebraska

What to watch for in Nebraska

The American dog tick and lone star tick are both established and heavily recorded, and the blacklegged tick is established but patchy, with only a few counties involved. All can carry disease. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is established along the western edge of the state and can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever and tularemia. The brown dog tick feeds mainly on dogs.

The brown recluse is established, though only part of Nebraska lies in its range, in the southeast. The western black widow is established too, and a bite from an adult female can cause severe muscle pain. Northern black widow records exist, but it is not known to live here, and those records are more likely western black widows, which look almost identical. After a worrying bite, get medical advice or call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222).

Through the year

Spring

American dog ticks and eastern carpenter bees become active in April, and Rocky Mountain wood ticks appear in the west after snowmelt.

Summer

European paper wasps and yellowjackets work around the outside of the house, and yellow garden spiders build webs by doors and windows.

Fall

Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs and western conifer seed bugs move into houses, and spotted orbweavers are most noticeable.

Winter

The usual indoor finds are house centipedes and Indianmeal moths, with a few lady beetles on warm days.