Identify and Manage Outdoor Insects

Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii) is a small fly that lays its eggs into ripening and ripe soft-skinned fruit, causing direct damage and wounds that other pests and pathogens can use. Although they prefer fully colored ripe fruit, they are capable of infesting fruit that is just starting to turn color and will do so when populations are high.

Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) is an introduced pest of viburnum in North America.

Flower flies are a natural predator of aphids. Flower flies are mainly nonselective pollinators, feeding on nectar and pollen from a variety of plants and agriculturally important crops.

Predatory bugs are in the insect order Hymenoptera and use piercing-sucking mouthparts to kill their prey.

Spiders are general predators, feeding on a wide range of prey (insects, other spiders, etc.). They are beneficial to people because they feed on harmful insects.

Prevent mosquito bites by wearing repellants and protective clothing. Eliminate standing water on your property to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Lacewings are delicate green or brown insects, excellent predators of aphids and other small insects.

Termites are native insects in Maryland and live in colonies underground. They can damage wood that is in contact with soil. We provide guidance on how to detect an an active termite infestation around your home.

Carpenter bees are important pollinators, they are not aggressive, and controlling them is not necessary unless they are damaging wooden structures. 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic invasive insect that is a serious threat to Maryland ash trees. It has killed many millions of ash trees across the Mid-West and Eastern U.S.