Bugs and spiders in North Carolina

What to watch for in North Carolina

Southern black widow and northern black widow are established in North Carolina, and the southern black widow is recorded more often. The brown widow, brown recluse and western black widow all have records, but none is known to live here. Sightings like those are often hitchhikers on plants or goods, or misidentified spiders. Poison Help can advise on a worrying bite at 1-800-222-1222.

Four ticks are established: the American dog, lone star, blacklegged and brown dog tick. The American dog tick is recorded most. All can carry disease, and lone star bites are linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy. Red imported fire ants are established, and eastern yellowjackets and dark fishing spiders are common around the house.

Through the year

Spring

Eastern carpenter bees are out in April through June, black carpenter ant swarmers appear from about March, and spotted lanternfly nymphs start in late April.

Summer

Spotted lanternfly adults appear from July, greenhouse millipedes turn up after heavy rain, and American cockroaches and house flies are most active in the heat.

Fall

Asian lady beetles, brown marmorated stink bugs and western conifer seed bugs move in as it cools, and boxelder bugs start in late August.

Winter

Greenhouse camel crickets and long-bodied cellar spiders stay around indoors, house centipedes are noticed more, and stink bugs wake up on warm days.