Banded woolly bears are the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth. It is fuzzy and harmless, unlike other hairy varieties.
A Spider that can jump up to eighty times the length of its body. Sounds like a myth that might have been invented by Steven Spielberg, but even the creator of the movie Arachnophobia couldn’t make up that story about the jumping spider.
Grasshoppers are known for their leaping ability and the chirping songs they create using their back legs and wings. They feed on plants, often causing damages to garden plants and agricultural crops.
Scale are a common pest on houseplants and fruit trees. The female scale are immobile and cover themselves in a waxy shell so they look more like a seed case or malignant growth on the plant rather than an insect.
Frogs are great insect eaters and are usually welcomed guests around ponds. But, sometimes too many frogs is too much of a good thing.
Garden, or field worms are endogeic worms, meaning they will burrow far down into the soil. Watch your step after a heavy rainfall, or you may end up with garden worms on your shoes!
Ground beetles are not harmful to humans. In fact, ground beetles actually help keep your garden looking beautiful by eating harmful insects.
Having trouble with wilting garden plants? The trouble might be parasitic nematodes feeding on the plant roots. Nematodes are also known as roundworms.
Stag beetles are relatively harmless and are easy to handle. The stag beetle’s gigantic jaws are their most distinguishing characteristic.
Stink bugs are nuisances that will invade homes because they are attracted to light. Be careful when trying to get rid of them because they will release an odor for self-defense!
Japanese beetle populations rise and fall. The invading adult beetle can do serious damage to garden vegetables and flowers. There seem to be as many opinions on how to control them as there are beetles.
Thrips are small insects that can be pests when they feed on garden plants or valuable crops. Thrips often jump when you touch them and they sometimes bite. Without proper care paid to plants, thrip populations can get out of control.
One of the most fascinating insects native to North America is the praying mantis. The praying mantis is a green or brown insect that uses camouflage and spiked, grasping forearms to capture prey.
The slug looks like a booger or old piece of chewing gum that has come to life, which is gross. A slug is a pest of garden plants like lettuce, tomatoes, and Hostas. Let us show you how to get rid of slugs!
Fast growing populations of boxelder bugs make control very difficult. As Boxelder bugs migrate from trees they often find houses in their migratory path, making the house likely spots to over-winter.
Japanese beetles are beautiful metallic green and copper colored insects. They feed on about 300 species of plants devouring leaves and flowers, leaving only the veins so that the foliage looks like lace. Adult Japanese beetles attack
vines and trees, but also tree fruits, row crops and many other plants.
Aphids are common pests of most indoor and outdoor ornamental plants and vegetables, fruit trees and field crops. Light aphid infestations are usually not harmful to plants, but they can build up tremendous populations in relatively short periods of time and cause leaves to curl, wilt and delay production of flowers and fruit.
Lizards are common reptiles that mostly feed on insects. The lizard is harmless to people, but may attempt to bite with its small, sharp teeth if handled roughly. Occasionally, lizards may enter a home or garage causing concern for homeowners. Most lizards feed on insects, although some eat plants, yet cause little damage.
Bagworm is a serious pest, capable of rapid buildup and doing extensive damage to arborvitae, red cedar, elm, maple, oak, birch and many other trees. Bagworm is most often seen hiding in its spindle-shaped silk bag covered with bits of foliage, bark and other debris Bagworm can be found in the eastern
United States
from
New England
to
Nebraska
and south through
Texas
.
The tent caterpillar, also known as the eastern tent caterpillar is mostly a nusiance pest, but it can defoliate certain types of trees, leaving landscapes looking bare and ugly.
Slugs are common pests during wet weather and can damage many types of plants in the garden. The slug feeds mainly at night, preferring cool, moist hiding places during the day. Cool, wet spring conditions will result in large slug populations.
Mosquito borne malaria still ranks as one of the world’s most virulent killers. Unknowing travelers visiting well known vacation spots can end up with the malaria illness that is difficult to shake.
The aphid can be a serious threat to rose gardens. Summer temperatures create the perfect environment for aphid reproduction.
