Best Time to See Black Widows in Missouri
May, June and September is the best time to see black widows in Missouri. Based on 709 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY
Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
709 verified observations of black widows in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When black widows are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
May
137 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.3% |
| February | 4 | 0.6% |
| March | 28 | 3.9% |
| April | 43 | 6.1% |
| Maypeak | 137 | 19.3% |
| Junepeak | 130 | 18.3% |
| July | 65 | 9.2% |
| August | 76 | 10.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 107 | 15.1% |
| October | 74 | 10.4% |
| November | 31 | 4.4% |
| December | 12 | 1.7% |
Black Widows you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Black Widow | 371 |
| Southern Black Widow | 242 |
| Brown Widow | 3 |
| Western Black Widow | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 56 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Mar | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of black widows in Missouri peak in May, when 137 of the year's 709 verified observations are logged — about 19.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and September.
The quietest stretch is January, when black widows are hardest to find — January sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The black widows you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Northern Black Widow, Southern Black Widow and Brown Widow — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see black widows in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see black widows in Missouri?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and September, based on 709 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are black widows hardest to see in Missouri?+
January is the quietest month for black widows in Missouri, with only 2 verified records.
Are black widows active year-round in Missouri?+
Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Missouri