Spring Pests

As Terri Guillemets said, 'Spring: the music of open windows.' 
Just make sure those windows have screens!

Featured Resources

A close-up of a person outdoors adjusting their gray wool sock above a brown hiking boot on grassy ground.
Protecting Yourself from Ticks

How do you protect yourself from ticks if you're unlikely to notice them walking on you or feel their bites?

Lawn care and the spring itch

It’s Spring, and the urge to get outside and work in the yard is mounting. When it comes to your lawn, what should you be thinking about and doing as April progresses?

A backyard flower garden in early Spring, with layers of dead leaves on the ground and perennial flowers sprouting through them in the foreground.
What’s Bugging You? – Messy Gardens

Cleaning up the garden beds in early Spring can seem like it should top the outdoor activity to-do list. Not so fast, warns Cornell IPM biocontrol expert, Amara Dunn-Silver—there are real benefits to holding off for a while.

Common Spring pests

close up of an ant
Springtime Ants

Of the 12,000 ant species worldwide, only about 50 become household pests. In North America the number is even lower.

a close up of a bat
Bats

All bats in the Northeast are insect-eaters, making them environmentally and economically important. They are good to have around.

A yellowjacket on a cup with fruit punch residue.
Bees and Wasps

No insect can clear people from a picnic table on a sunny day like a yellowjacket (a type of wasp). Bees and wasps nest and forage naturally around us, so understanding them is helps minimize the risk of being stung.

A black house fly sitting on a concrete ledge, facing the camera
Flies (non-biting)

Non-biting flies—a vast group of insects that includes houseflies, the most common of pests.

Mold growing in a petri dish
Mold

Though not your traditional indoor pest, these fungi are potential and serious problems. Mold spores are naturally occurring in indoor environments and will grow on a variety of surfaces when adequate moisture is available.

dark mosquito with white banding on legs
Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are flying, biting insects well known for the annoying whine of their flight and the itchy bites they leave behind. Mostly just a nuisance, some species in New York also can transmit the pathogens that cause Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

snake in a wood pile
Snakes

There are 17 species of snakes that call New York home, three of which are venomous (but with limited distribution). They track down food such as birds, mice, frogs, and bugs.

a yellow orb weaver spider
Spiders

While not everyone loves spiders, they do manage to make themselves useful in the natural world and can be interesting to study. Remove them from your home if you will, but refrain from using pesticides when possible.

a hairy caterpillar with subtle but colorful spots
Spongy Moth

An invasive species formerly known as gypsy moth, that's been plaguing our forests and landscapes on and off for over a century.

A spotted lanternfly as seen close-up from the side, sitting with wings folded on a wooden railing.
Spotted Lanternfly

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

red and black tick on a leag
Ticks

Ticks are arachnids closely related to mites and spiders. All stages of ticks (except eggs) feed on blood for energy to grow and later reproduce. Several tick species are a human health concern in New York.

raccoon in a garbage can
Wildlife

We often love seeing wildlife, but sometimes there are unintended consequences. Animals like raccoons, squirrels, woodchucks, moles, and voles can be nuisances to homeowners and property managers by causing property damage and sometimes posing health risks.

Recorded presentations on Spring IPM

decorative image of many pests

Webinar

Spongy Moth Caterpillar Management + Feeding Friendly Insects: Plan to Prep Your Soil
In NY, spongy moth caterpillars start showing up in May. You'll learn why there are more caterpillars in some years than in others, and why you should manage them when they are still small. Also, make a plan to spend the summer preparing to...
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • What's Bugging You?
decorative image of many pests

Webinar

Got weeds? Learn how to identify common yard and garden weeds, with valuable tips for management. Then hear about best practices for keeping rats out of vegetable gardens. Weed Identification (Feature presentation) Rats in Vegetable Gardens (IPM...
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • What's Bugging You?
  • Gardening
decorative image of many pests

Webinar

Heard the buzz about some garden pesticides being cancelled? Learn why certain pesticides were removed from the market and what you should do if you own them. Stay tuned to learn how you can help Cornell University document the distribution of...
  • What's Bugging You?
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Gardening
Springtime Ants + Tick Protection (video)

Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann provides insights about dealing with springtime ants, plus Joellen Lampman offers tips to avoid and protect yourself against ticks in the IPM Minute.

Pet Flea/Tick Treatments + Indoor Cockroaches (video)

Dr. Aly Cohen offers insights about pet flea and tick treatments, plus Susannah Krysko discusses IPM for indoor cockroaches.

Recognizing and Avoiding Woodpecker Damage + Wintertime Tick Awareness (video)

Paul Curtis explains what woodpecker damage on structures looks like, why it occurs, and what you can do to reduce this damage, plus Ashley Kennedy explains why daily tick checks need to be part of our routines all year round.