Pest Guide
Here are 22 pests commonly found in and around Western New York homes, and 3 bees you’re likely to see. Health and property information comes only from the public-health agencies and university extension programs cited on each card and listed below. Photos are for illustration only. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you think you’ve been exposed to disease, contact your healthcare provider.
Ixodes scapularis
Ticks wait on grass and shrub tips (“questing”) and climb onto people and pets that brush past. Adults stay active into fall, when they are more likely to carry disease.
Health & property risks: In New York the blacklegged tick can spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus. Fever, aches and rash within weeks of a bite warrant a call to your doctor.
Sources: NYS Dept. of Health, CDC
Culex pipiens
The main West Nile virus vector in New York. They breed in catch basins, clogged gutters, birdbaths, tires and other containers, bite mostly from dusk into the late evening, and overwinter as adults in sheltered spots like unheated basements.
Health & property risks: West Nile virus. Most infections cause no symptoms, but about 1 in 150 infected people develop severe neurologic illness; people over 50 face the highest risk.
Sources: NYS Dept. of Health, NYS Dept. of Health, Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline)
Aedes vexans, Aedes triseriatus
Daytime and dusk biters. The floodwater mosquito (Ae. vexans) breeds in temporary rain and flood pools and is an aggressive human biter; the eastern treehole mosquito (Ae. triseriatus) breeds in water-filled tree holes, tires and buckets and bites during the day near woods.
Health & property risks: Ae. vexans is a suspected “bridge” vector of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), though studies suggest its role is limited. Ae. triseriatus is the primary vector of La Crosse virus, which can cause encephalitis, most often in children under 16.
Sources: CDC, CDC, CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services, Minnesota Dept. of Health, Oklahoma State University Extension
Camponotus spp.
The most common ant pest in the Northeast. They don’t eat wood, but tunnel through moisture-damaged wood and leave sawdust-like piles.
Health & property risks: Property risk: structural damage to wet or rotting wood, and a sign of leaks or drainage problems. Not known for disease.
Sources: Cornell NYS IPM, Cornell NYS IPM
Tetramorium immigrans
Dark brown ants about 1/8 inch long with grooved heads. They nest under stones, sidewalks and slabs and trail indoors for food.
Health & property risks: They have a stinger and can contaminate food. Nests under objects can undermine stone and concrete surfaces.
Sources: Cornell NYS IPM
Tapinoma sessile
Small brown ants (2–3 mm) that give off a peculiar smell when crushed. They trail indoors to sweets, spills and crumbs.
Health & property risks: Mainly a nuisance and food contaminant; kitchen sanitation and sealing entry points are key.
Sources: Cornell NYS IPM
Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis lucifugus
Bats roost in attics, walls and chimneys. Bat bites can be tiny, so any direct contact with a bat should be reported to a healthcare provider or health department.
Health & property risks: Bats are the leading source of human rabies in the U.S. Their droppings can also carry Histoplasma, a fungus that causes the lung infection histoplasmosis.
Cimex lectularius
Flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects 1–7 mm long that feed on blood at night and hide in mattress seams, bed frames and cracks. They spread in luggage and furniture.
Health & property risks: Not known to spread disease, but bites cause itching and lost sleep, scratching can lead to skin infection, and allergic reactions are possible.
Sources: CDC
Blattella germanica
The most common indoor cockroach. They hide near kitchen and bathroom plumbing and reproduce faster than any other pest cockroach.
Health & property risks: Droppings, saliva and shed skins contain allergens that can trigger asthma, especially in children. They can also carry bacteria linked to food poisoning.
Sources: U.S. EPA, University of Minnesota Extension, NC State Extension
Mus musculus
Mice slip in through small gaps, especially as weather cools, and contaminate food and surfaces with urine and droppings.
Health & property risks: House mice are the main host of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and can spread salmonellosis. Rodents can also carry disease-spreading ticks, mites and fleas.
Rattus norvegicus
Large burrowing rats that live around foundations, sheds and garbage, and move indoors for food and shelter.
Health & property risks: Rats can spread leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis and Seoul hantavirus through urine, droppings, saliva or bites.
Vespula spp.
The most common stinging insect, nesting in the ground, wall voids and trees, with colonies of 5,000+ by late summer.
Health & property risks: Repeated stings; can be life-threatening for allergic people. Nests in walls can attract other pests.
Sources: Cornell IPM, Cornell IPM, Cornell eCommons
Dolichovespula maculata
Black-and-white yellowjackets that build large gray paper nests in trees, shrubs and eaves.
Health & property risks: Aggressive nest defense and repeated stings; dangerous for allergic people. Large nests need a professional.
Sources: Cornell IPM, Cornell IPM, Cornell NYS IPM
Polistes spp.
Build open, umbrella-shaped comb nests under eaves, railings and decks.
Health & property risks: Stings can be life-threatening for allergic people.
Sources: Cornell IPM, Cornell NYS IPM, CDC/NIOSH
Halyomorpha halys
An invasive bug that gathers on sunny walls in fall and slips into wall voids around windows, doors and outlets to overwinter.
Health & property risks: Mostly an annoyance indoors, but handling crushed stink bugs can cause contact dermatitis.
Sources: Cornell IPM
Boisea trivittata
Black-and-red bugs that feed on boxelder and maple trees and cluster on houses in early fall.
Health & property risks: Not a health threat, but their excrement can spot fabrics and painted walls, and they smell when crushed.
Sources: Cornell IPM
Harmonia axyridis
Helpful garden predators outdoors, but they swarm into buildings in fall. Look for the “M” or “W” mark behind the head.
Health & property risks: They can bite (without breaking skin) and their defensive fluid stains. Large numbers can trigger allergies, including asthma and hives, in sensitive people.
Sources: Cornell IPM, Ohio State CFAES
Pollenia spp.
House-fly look-alikes with golden hairs that overwinter in attics and wall voids and buzz at windows on warm days. Their larvae are parasites of earthworms.
Health & property risks: They don’t bite or breed indoors. Large numbers of dead flies can smell and attract carpet beetles.
Sources: Cornell IPM, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Lepisma saccharinum
Silver-gray, wingless insects up to 1/2 inch long that come out at night in damp areas.
Health & property risks: Property risk: they eat paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, fabrics and starchy foods.
Sources: Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau
many species
Most spiders in New York homes are harmless and eat other pests. They move indoors in fall, especially into basements.
Health & property risks: The brown recluse does not occur in New York, and black widows are uncommon and stay in dark, damp spots. Any spider may bite if handled.
Reticulitermes flavipes
They live underground and build mud tubes up foundations to reach wood. Spring swarms of winged termites point to an established colony.
Health & property risks: Property risk: they feed on wood, especially wood touching soil or damp areas. Not known for disease.
Sources: Cornell IPM
Most bees are valuable pollinators. Penn State Extension counts more than 400 wild bee species in neighboring Pennsylvania. Each card is marked Beneficial and/or Pest concern.
Apis mellifera
A managed, social pollinator that nests in large cavities. Call a beekeeper for swarms.
Health & property risks: Stings (serious for allergic people); colonies in walls leave honey and wax that attract pests.
Sources: Penn State Extension, Cornell IPM, CDC/NIOSH
Bombus spp.
Fuzzy, social native pollinators; some species are declining.
Health & property risks: May sting if the nest is disturbed; serious for allergic people.
Sources: Penn State Extension, Penn State Center for Pollinator Research, CDC/NIOSH
Xylocopa virginica
Bumble bee look-alikes with a shiny black abdomen. Males can’t sting; females rarely do.
Health & property risks: Drill 1/2-inch holes in unpainted wood; damage builds when tunnels are reused.
Photos were resized and cropped. CC BY-SA images remain under their original licenses.
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