Everyone has heard of invasive pests but what makes a pest invasive? Invasive pests are species of pests that are not native to the area they have infested.
When a non-native species is introduced to a new ecosystem they can multiply and spread rapidly, disrupting the ecosystem’s natural balance and competing with native species for food and other resources. Once introduced, these new species do not have natural predators and may thrive in their new environment. They are often introduced, either accidentally or intentionally, by humans.
5 Common Invasive Pests in New York
- Emerald Ash Borer: The emerald ash borer can be easily identified by its shiny green or copper, jewel-like color. This small beetle has been extremely destructive to New York’s Ash tree population. It is often transported to new areas through wood, most commonly through firewood.
- Asian Longhorned Beetle: The Asian longhorned beetle is another invasive species known to kill the trees it infests. They can be identified by their long, black and white striped antennae and a white spotted body.
- Camel Cricket: Camel crickets are light tan to dark brown in color and are aptly named for their rounded humped body. They will often enter homes or garages in the fall and winter in search of food and shelter.
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: The hemlock woolly adelgid is an aphid like pest that feeds on and eventually kills hemlock trees. It can be hard to see a single woolly adelgid but once the population is large enough they will look like white, woolly masses on the tree’s branches near the base of the needles.
- Spongy Moth(Gypsy Moth): Spongy moths have a cyclical population, when the population is high, the caterpillars can damage thousands of acres of trees but they will not kill the trees. The spongy moth caterpillars have 5 sets of blue dots followed by 6 sets of red dots along its back. The adult moths are white to brown.
How Can You Keep Invasive Pests Out of Your Yard?
These invasive pests can be frustrating to deal with once they have taken over, therefore it is important to take these preventative measures to keep them away.
- Thoroughly inspect any firewood or wood products before bringing them onto your property.
- Inspect the exterior of your home, filling in any cracks or holes with caulk or sealant.
- Place bands or traps around the base of your tree to catch any spongy moth caterpillars that may try to infest your trees.
- Treat trees with an insecticide that begin to show signs of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation.
Professional Invasive Species Extermination
Although preventative measures will help keep some pests at bay, when dealing with invasive species, it is best left to professional exterminators like Arrow Extermination Company. They will not only know how to get rid of and prevent these pests but also how to report invasive species infestations to the right authorities.
If you are dealing with an invasive species or another pest, don’t hesitate to reach out to the pest extermination experts at Arrow! Contact us today for a free quote.
