A science-based guide for the Pacific Northwest. Diagnose and solve problems with pests, weeds, trees, and bushes, effectively and with low-risk; includes invasive species.
Yellowjackets (Vespula spp.) are attracted to human food. They become a nuisance at picnics. Use lure traps to reduce the number of yellowjackets in outdoor areas.
Stay away from their nests to avoid being stung. Depending on the species of yellowjacket, the nest can either be above ground or underground. All nests naturally collapse by September or October. You may be stung many times if you spray a yellowjacket nest.
Learn to live with yellowjackets. Use lawn flags to mark the location of known nest sites so people don’t accidentally stumble on the nest.
Most spiders aren’t harmful to people. Spider bites are rare. Remove spiders found indoors. Leave spiders outdoors alone.
Action Optional
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Adult bed bugs are flattened, oval, and about ⅕ inch long. Their color is reddish brown. They have distinct horizontal bands across their bodies. Bed bugs have long antennae.
Patrick Porter, Texas Cooperative Extension, Bugwood.org
The photo shows adult bed bugs on a dime for size comparison.
Matteo Lanciano, iStock
Look for signs of bed bugs such as cast skins, reddish stains and tiny dark fecal spots.
Female bed bugs lay 200 - 500 tiny eggs in cracks and crevices. Eggs are yellow white and about 1/20 inch, the size of the period at the end of a sentence. Eggs hatch in 6-15 days at room temperature.
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Eggs hatch immature bed bugs (nymphs) lighter in color than adults. They go through 5 stages of growth to become adults. Each stage includes feeding on blood of people or an animal and then molting (casting their exoskeleton).
The photo shows bed bug nymphs in various stages and adults.
Bed bugsare specialized insects that feed on blood from humans and other animals. They cause itching, skin irritation, and embarrassment. If you discover bed bugs in your home, take action to get rid of them.
Head lice are specialized insects that live only on humans. They cause itching, irritation, and embarrassment. If you discover head lice on a person, take action to get rid of them.
Food pantry insect pests feed on a wide variety of dry, stored foods including grains and dried meats, birdseed, and pet food. Getting rid of food-infesting insects takes planning, effort, and ongoing monitoring.
Action Recommended
Henrik_L, iStock
Edward H. Holsten, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
John C. French Sr., Retired, Universities: Auburn, GA, Clemson and U of MO, Bugwood.org
Yellowjackets (Vespula spp.) are attracted to human food. They become a nuisance at picnics. Use lure traps to reduce the number of yellowjackets in outdoor areas.
Stay away from their nests to avoid being stung. Depending on the species of yellowjacket, the nest can either be above ground or underground. All nests naturally collapse by September or October. You may be stung many times if you spray a yellowjacket nest.
Learn to live with yellowjackets. Use lawn flags to mark the location of known nest sites so people don’t accidentally stumble on the nest.
Action Optional
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) have narrow waists and are less aggressive than yellowjackets.
"Paper wasps" by Nicki Dugan Pogue is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Paper wasps build nests that look like the nest shown in the photo. They sometimes build nests under eaves of structures or other protected locations. Tolerate paper wasp nests if possible.
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) have narrow waists and are less aggressive than yellowjackets. They build nests that look like the nest shown in the photos (see above). Paper wasps are not as annoying as other wasp species when you are eating or working outdoors. Stay away from their nests and they will likely not sting you. Solutions for yellowjackets will work for paper wasps.
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are easier to live with than yellowjackets. They are less aggressive. Stay away from colonies and they will likely not sting you. Honey bees will sometimes swarm and the swarm may land on your property. You can call local beekeepers to take the swarm away. Find names and numbers of local beekeepers at Oregon Swarm Call
Native bees such as Megachile spp. and mason bees (Osmia spp.) (see photos above) are native to the Pacific Northwest. They won’t sting you if you leave them alone.
Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are easier to live with than yellowjackets. They are less aggressive. Do not disturb their nests and they will likely not sting you.
Some bumble bees and other bees nest in the ground as shown in the photo (see above). Often these nests will be underneath a storage shed or a crack in a foundation. If needed, seal the crack in the fall after the nest collapses. A few species of bumble bees nest above ground as shown in the photo of the bird nest.