Bugs and spiders in Arkansas

What to watch for in Arkansas

Three spiders call for care in Arkansas. The brown recluse is established and is found indoors year-round, in closets, basements, attics, garages and bedrooms. The southern black widow and the northern black widow are both established too, and both turn up in garages, basements and along the outside of the house. A bite from an adult female widow can cause strong muscle pain, so get medical advice right away if you suspect one.

Ticks are the other concern. The lone star tick, American dog tick and blacklegged tick are all established, and the lone star is the most-recorded of the three. Its bites are linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy that can be severe. The brown dog tick is established as well; it feeds mostly on dogs and can breed indoors. For a bite that worries you, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Through the year

Spring

Eastern carpenter bees hover and drill around the house roughly April through June, which is also when lone star tick adults are most active.

Summer

American cockroaches are most often seen in the warm months, southern and northern black widows are active from late spring on, and greenhouse millipedes tend to show up after heavy rain.

Fall

Asian lady beetles move in during October and November, boxelder bugs arrive from late August, and spotted orbweavers and yellow garden spiders are at their most noticeable.

Winter

Brown recluses are found indoors year-round, long-bodied cellar spiders and common house spiders stay in heated rooms, and bold jumping spiders may appear near windows on warm days.