Bugs and spiders in Ohio

What to watch for in Ohio

The brown recluse, northern black widow and southern black widow are all established in Ohio. The recluse lives only in part of the state, the southwest, and is recorded less often than the northern widow. Black widow bites can cause strong muscle pain, and some recluse bites heal slowly. After a bite that worries you, get medical advice or call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222). Brown widow records exist but it is not known to live here.

Ticks are well established: the American dog tick leads, then the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick, all established, and each can carry disease. The blacklegged tick can spread Lyme disease and other infections. Remove an attached tick promptly and watch for fever or rash. Lone star bites are linked to alpha-gal syndrome. Brown dog ticks feed mainly on dogs.

Through the year

Spring

Eastern carpenter bees are drilling by April, spotted lanternfly nymphs hatch in late April, and varied carpet beetles gather at windows.

Summer

Spotted lanternfly adults appear from July and stay until hard frosts, yellowjacket nests keep growing, and paper wasps stay active around the outside of the house.

Fall

Asian lady beetles arrive in October and November, stink bugs and conifer seed bugs follow, and spotted lanternfly egg masses appear from September.

Winter

House centipedes, Indianmeal moths and greenhouse camel crickets are the regular indoor finds, along with the odd stink bug on a warm day.