Bugs and spiders in Virginia

What to watch for in Virginia

Southern black widow and northern black widow are both established in Virginia, with the southern recorded more often. The brown widow and brown recluse have a few records, but neither is known to live here, and such sightings are often hitchhikers or misidentified spiders. Wear gloves in garages, sheds and woodpiles. If a bite worries you, Poison Help is at 1-800-222-1222.

The established ticks are the lone star, American dog, blacklegged and brown dog tick. The lone star tick is recorded most. All can carry disease, and lone star bites are linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy. Eastern yellowjackets, dark fishing spiders and European paper wasps are common. The house mosquito is established, and the yellow fever mosquito lives in parts of the state.

Through the year

Spring

Spotted lanternfly nymphs appear from late April, eastern carpenter bees are busy in April through June, and black carpenter ant swarmers appear from about March.

Summer

Spotted lanternfly adults appear from July until hard frost, yellowjacket nests keep growing, and greenhouse millipedes turn up after heavy rain.

Fall

Broad-faced sac spiders are noticed mostly in September through November, Asian lady beetles and stink bugs move in, and boxelder bugs start in late August.

Winter

Winter brings more notice of house centipedes indoors, greenhouse camel crickets and barn funnel weavers stay around, and brown marmorated stink bugs stir on warm days.