Spring means the return of these common creepy crawlies in Missouri. How to stay safe

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01-04-2025

Insects, bugs, spiders and other arachnids are around all year. But now that spring is here, their activity is ramping up.
Common outdoor creepy crawlies in Missouri can include ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers. There are some venomous spiders and other insects or bugs to be aware of as well. All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs and are determined as bugs by the type of mouth they have and how they develop.
Spring and summer is when these biting creatures are most active, particularly in April through September.
This is what the Missouri Department of Conservation has to say about these common outdoor insects in field guides about them.
Mosquitoes are a type of fly, but unlike what people associate as a fly, is one that uses blood from vertebrate animals, including humans, as a food source.
One of the ways to limit their development is to make sure not to have still, standing water nearby. So, if you have a bird bath, it's a good idea to change out the water every couple of days. A female mosquito deposits her eggs on the water.
Windy days are good for humans and other animals since mosquitoes are not good flyers. If traipsing around in nature, be sure to put on a repellent that includes DEET as mosquitos can carry a variety of viruses and parasites that cause West Nile, Zika, yellow fever, dengue fever, malaria and more. Treat pets, too, as mosquitoes can transmit heartworms to dogs, MDC said.
Another blood sucker is ticks, a type of arachnid. MDC notes three types of ticks common in Missouri, including the Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick and Deer Tick. The first features either white dots or streaks on its back; the second has a brown and white mottled appearance unless a female is full of blood. It is grey, then. The last is black in appearance. Ticks are most active from April through July, but are encountered at other times, MDC said.
They're a crawling creature that can hang out on tall grasses or in bushes with hook like arms out ready to hitch a ride on other creatures that pass by. When walking in nature wear enough clothing that prevents them from getting on skin, use tick repellents and always inspect your body (including in a mirror) afterward. If a tick is found use tweezers or a specialized tick pulling tool to pinch the tick as close to the body as possible and pull it to remove. Wash the area and apply antibiotics, MDC says.
Ticks can cause Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Bourbon virus, Heartland virus, and even Alpha-gal Syndrome in the case of Lone Star ticks, which makes a person allergic to eating red meat. For those who were bitten, flu-like symptoms or bullseye-shaped rashes could develop. Veterinarians can provide guidance and treatment for ticks on pets.
Chiggers are nearly impossible to see, but a person will know if they were bitten. They tend to live in grassy areas that can retain their moisture through the day. They are sensitive to changes in temperatures. Their recent activity is limited due to the cooler temps, but by mid-April when temps will hit the 70s, they will be active.
Tender skin areas are most commonly sought by chiggers. So ankles, backs of knees, crotch areas and armpits. The bites cause itchy welts, but chiggers are known to carry diseases as well. Wearing tightly woven clothing that covers most of the body with minimal openings can help prevent getting bitten, along with insect repellants and bathing after exposure.
Missouri has a few venomous creepy crawlies. This includes brown recluse and black widow spiders.
If bitten by a black widow, collect the spider, if possible, and seek immediate medical attention. Brown recluse bite severity is variable, but if a person thinks they were bitten, seek immediate medical attention.
If walking or hiking outdoors, a person may come across ambush bugs, or varieties of assassin bugs. These insects have painful bites, but the way to prevent that is to brush them off, rather than smacking them to kill them. This could lead to a bite.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: How to avoid ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers in Missouri