Bugs and spiders in Idaho

What to watch for in Idaho

The western black widow is established in Idaho. Adults and young can overwinter in garages and crawl spaces, and a bite from an adult female can cause severe muscle pain and cramps, so get medical advice right away. The hobo spider is established as well and is rated Be careful. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if a bite worries you.

The Rocky Mountain wood tick is established in Idaho. It can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever and tularemia, so remove any attached tick right away. The brown dog tick is established too but mostly lives indoors with dogs. American dog tick records exist, but it is not known to live in the state. Eastern carpenter bees and European paper wasps, both common, are rated Be careful.

Through the year

Spring

Rocky Mountain wood ticks are active from snowmelt, eastern carpenter bees are at their busiest from April to June, and pill bugs and rough sowbugs come in after wet spells.

Summer

Zebra jumping spiders and bold jumping spiders are on sunny walls, European paper wasps are around the house, and pavement ants swarm in June and July.

Fall

Boxelder bugs start arriving in late August, followed by western conifer seed bugs, Asian lady beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs, while hobo spider males wander from August through October.

Winter

Barn funnel weavers stay in houses year-round, and boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles reappear on warm days in late winter.