Bagworms categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 04:21 Cigar case bagwormsPhoto by: Art Antonelli Biology Bagworms belong to a moth family called psychodidae. Their larvae live inside of peculiar cases or bags which they make from various plant materials or sand. Some species have wingless, legless, worm-like females that continue to live in […]
Brown marmorated stink bug categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-11 12:11 Adult brown marmorated stink bugPhoto by: D.R. Lance, USDA-APHIS Biology The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an introduced species that is very mobile and spreading quickly across the United States. Both nymphs and adults are voracious feeders on a wide variety […]
Centipedes categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-11 11:55 CentipedePhoto by: Roger Akre Biology Centipedes are a class of arthropods related to insects. Centipedes are very fast moving and flat. Centipedes have a pair of poison jaws that assist them in overcoming prey. Hence they are considered beneficial predators. Centipedes have a single pair […]
Clover mites categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-08-27 05:07 Clover mite Photo by: Unknown Biology Clover mites are small (1/100 of an inch long), oval-shaped reddish-brown mites and occasional household pests. A clover mite’s front legs are typically longer than the other three pairs of legs and can be mistaken for antennae. Clover […]
Cluster flies categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-15 12:09 Cluster FlyPhoto by: Ken Gray Biology Cluster flies resemble house flies, but are larger and slower in movements. They are about 5/16 inch long, dark gray with black and gray checkered abdomens. Cluster fly larvae or maggot are parasites of earthworms. This makes managing […]
Cockroaches categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-15 12:29 Oriental Cockroach and Egg CasePhoto by: M. Bush Biology Cockroaches are flat insects that are found in a variety of colors. There are four common pest species: The German cockroach The German cockroach is most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. Adult German cockroaches are […]
Firebrats categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-03-23 11:58 FirebratPhot by: Unknown Biology Firebrats are wingless, fast-moving insects about 1/2 inch long. They have two long antennae on their head and three long bristles on their tail. Firebrats are mottled tan in color and prefer to live in very warm areas such as around […]
Fruit flies categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-15 03:41 Fruit or vinegar flyPhoto by: M. El Damir, Bugwood.org Biology Fruit flies are a common and annoying problem in homes, restaurants, supermarkets, and any other place where there is rotting and fermenting food. Fruit flies can be a problem any time of the year. […]
Fungus gnats categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 04:17 Dark winged fungus gnatPhoto by: Ken Gray Biology Fungus gnats are small (1/8 inch) gray-black flies often noticed around houseplants and windows. Most species inhabit fungi or dead plant material, but a few species have maggots that injure plant roots. Even non-pest species can […]
Giant house spider categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 12:52 Giant house spider on displayPhoto by: T. Murray Biology The giant house spider, Eratigena atrica (formally known as Tegenaria gigantea and T. duellica), is commonly found in and around Washington homes west of the Cascade Mountains. Its range also includes parts of coastal Canada and Oregon. They are […]
Hobo spider categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 01:14 Photo by: Whitney Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.orgPhoto by: Whitney Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.org Biology The hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis, formerly Tegenaria agrestis) is one of the most commonly found funnel-web or funnel weaver spiders in some parts of Washington. This relatively large (1 – 1 3/4 inches […]
House centipede categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 01:58 House centipedePhoto by: S. Allen Biology The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is a slender, flattened, many-segmented arthropod approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. It can be found throughout the United States, both in and outdoors in warmer areas, and primarily indoors in colder […]
House dust mites categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-03-15 08:36 Dust mitePhot by: Wharton, 1970 Biology House dust mites are extremely small (up to 0.5 mm) and can be found as a component of house dust. They are principally found in cotton-stuffed mattresses and furniture, although they can also be found on birds, […]
House flies categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-12-22 02:13 House FlyPhoto by: Unknown Biology The house fly is one of the most cosmopolitan insects and has been considered a pest for centuries. The house fly measures 3/16 to 1/4 inch long and can be distinguished from other flies by the 4 dark stripes […]
Little house flies categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests revision date: 2025-03-15 08:36 Little house flyPhoto by: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org Biology The little house fly, sometimes called the lesser house fly, is a nuisance pest. The small male flies (1/8 to 3/16 inch long) are often found in houses; however, females are rarely found indoors. Little […]