If you are a student studying the types of pests found in the USA then you have come to the right place.

Bugs and rodents can destroy gardens and yards as well as harbor and transmit diseases and bacteria. Whether it is pests destroying flowers and crops or rats rummaging through household trash and food, there are ways to manage these pests to protect the looks and safety of food and agriculture. Having proper pest management programs in place for gardens and farms from the beginning saves time and is much more cost effective than waiting until there is an infestation. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways control these harmful creatures. 

North Central Region

The North Central region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. There are several insects of concern in this region, including the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, brown dog tick, brown marmorated stink bug, chili thrips, lobate lac scale, multicolored Asian ladybeetle, pink hibiscus mealybug, soybean aphid, western bean cutworm and certain wood boring insects. These pests are typically most harmful to trees and crops, which makes the north central region of the US a prime breeding ground for them due to the extensive farm lands. They also often do well in moderate and slightly humid climates, which describes almost all of these states. Pesticides are most often used for control, though when it comes to invasive species such as the Asian longhorned beetle, which attacks hardwood trees, quarantine is often the most effective form of attack.

• Asian Longhorned Beetle Provides photos and information on this pest.
• Emerald Ash Borer in Ohio Provides quarantine information concerning the emerald ash borer.
• Tips on Household Pest Control Describes different ways to prevent the infestation of pests in the home.
• Effective Pest Control Provides information on the least toxic forms of pest control.
• Manage and Identify Pests A comprehensive site helping people to identify dangerous pests and avoid infestation.
• Soybean Aphids Provides information on the best way to detect and manage a soybean aphid infestation.
• Wood Boring Insects Describes how to detect wood boring insect infestation as well as how to control it with or without chemicals.

Northeast Region

The Northeastern region of the US consists of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Despite only including nine states, the Northeastern region has the most varied climate of any other region, therefore allowing a host of pests to thrive including bed bugs, which do well in temperate climates. Due to their large production of fruit, especially apples, this region is also commonly plagued by coddle moths, rosy apple aphids, San Jose scales, European red mites and peach twig borers. Farmers are advised to frequently check their crops as well as spray them at regular intervals with pesticides to prevent infestation and damage to the fruit. Those suffering from bed bug infestation should contact a professional to fumigate their homes.

• Fruit Pest Gallery Provides photos and information on the most common pests affecting fruit trees.
• Rosy Apple Aphid Describes this fruit bug, the damage it can do and how to control them.
• Coddle Moths Provides information on signs of a coddle moth infestation as well as both chemical and organic control options.
• Peach Twig Borer Describes what fruit trees peach twig borers infest and how to control them.
• Bed Bugs Describes what bed bugs are and how to get rid of an infestation.
• Bed Bugs and Health Provides information on how bed bugs are detrimental to human health.
• Protecting Fruit Trees Provides tips and tricks on how to protect fruit trees from pest infestation using pesticides.

Southern Region

The southern region includes Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Due to the common droughts in this region, pests such as spider mites, cassava lake bugs, cotton seed bugs, Texas phoenix palms and red mites are typical in this area of the US. Of particular note are the cotton seed bugs and spider mites, which thrive in this extremely dry area that specializes in growing cotton. The use of pesticides is the most common form of pest management here, though with the increase of organic farming many chose to closely monitor crops and utilize natural pest deterrents to avoid infestation.

• Spider Mites on Landscaping Plants Provides resources for protecting the beauty of landscaping plants from damage by spider mites.
• Controlling Spider Mites Provides information for gardeners on how to control spider mites.
• Cotton Seed Bug Pest Alert An alert from the state of Florida concerning cotton seed bugs.
• Cotton Seed Bugs Describes this pest and provides photos.
• Southern Red Mites Provides a description and photos of the southern red mite and information on how to control them.
• Toxic Pesticides How to control pests in the garden without using harsh chemicals.
• Controlling Pests in the Home Provides environmentally conscious ways to protect the home from pest infestation.

Western Region

This region includes the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Because of the large bodies of water and warm weather in this region Asian longhorn beetles, emerald ash borers and mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus most commonly affect this area of the US. The most dangerous of these for humans is the West Nile virus. Avoiding standing water and trimming lawns regularly is the best way to prevent attracting mosquitoes. For those pests affecting crops, pesticides are utilized most regularly, as well as city-wide pest spraying and quarantines for trees affected by the emerald ash borers.

• West Nile Virus Overview Provides a brief explanation of West Nile Virus.
• West Nile Virus Provides ways to prevent mosquito bites and the symptoms of West Nile Virus.
• California Mosquito Control Provides an overview of how this state controls the mosquito population.
• Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Describes different ways to treat trees that have been infested with this pest.
• Integrated Pest Management Provides information on the government standards of pest management for agriculture.

While pests are a natural part of the Earth’s ecosystem, an infestation can spell disaster for other species. Proper management of these pests is essential to crop production and human safety.

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