Identify and Understand

We're here to help you identify, understand and, where needed, safely manage the critters found in and around your home, garden, farm, school, places of work and worship. Use of the word “critter” is intentional; not all things that buzz, crawl or slither are pests! Some insects may be pollinators that play an important role in the ecosystem, and some animals can help reduce the numbers of ticks and other pests in your yard.

Seasonal Pests

Winter Pests

There are many critters that will come in on a potted plant, or through a crack, an open door, a hole in a screen, a gap in siding or soffits, or a piece of firewood. The larger the hole, the larger your potential unwanted guest.

Winter arthropod pests: 
Bed Bugs • Boxelder Bugs • Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs • Carpenter Ants • Cluster Flies • Cockroaches • Fabric Pests • Fleas • Moisture Pests • Multicolored Asian Lady beetles • Pantry Pests • Spiders • Ticks • Western Conifer-Seed Bugs

Other winter pests: 
Mold • Mice and Rats • Wildlife

Seasonal Pests

Spring Pests

Insects and Other Arthropods: 
Ants • Bees and Wasps • Flies (non-biting) • Moisture Pests • Mosquitoes • Spiders • Ticks • White grubs

Other spring pests:
Bats • Mold • Snakes • Wildlife

Seasonal pests

Common Summer Pests

Insects and Other Arthropods: 
Ants • Bees and Wasps • Biting Flies  • Fleas • Flies (non-biting) • Moisture Pests • Mosquitoes • Spiders • Spongy Moths (formerly Gypsy Moths) • Termites • Ticks • White grubs 

Other: 
Bats • Birds • Deer • Mice and Rats • Mold • Snakes • Wildlife

Seasonal Pests

Fall Pests

Insects and wildlife exhibit a variety of behaviors or adaptations that help them to survive the harsh conditions of winter. As the weather begins to cool many organisms begin taking refuge indoors while others, such as ticks, remain active outdoors. 

illustration of a tree in winter
illustration of tree in spring
illustration of a tree in summer
illustration of a tree in autumn
blacklegged tick crawling on skin

Ticks and tick-borne diseases have become a significant public health issue in New York State.

two adult spotted lanternflies

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive species. It does not bite or sting but is having an economic impact on NYS agriculture.

A football shaped dark red bug against skin

Bed bugs feed on our blood and cause itchy welts that can become infected from scratching

a hairy caterpillar with subtle but colorful spots

Formerly Gypsy Moth