Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 26, 2000 Purdue compiles top-10 list of Indiana pestsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Japanese beetles are the number one Hoosier pest, heading a list of the top 10 pests in Indiana compiled by the Purdue University Pesticide Programs, in cooperation with the departments of botany and plant pathology, entomology and horticulture. Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs, said the list was developed to help Purdue specialists and entomologists create new and update existing publications with the latest and best information on household and garden pests. "We want to provide people with practical information they can use to control the many pests that are associated with their homes, lawns and gardens," Whitford said. According to the list, the top 10 pests in Indiana, ranked from numbers one through 10, are: Japanese beetles; moles; Asian lady beetles; hornets, bees and wasps; ants; wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums and squirrels; termites; spiders; bagworms; and galls, abnormal growths on plants that can be caused by insects. The list was compiled based on information collected from Extension educators across the state. The educators were asked to submit a ranked list of the top pests within their counties and Whitford compiled the data into one index. Because of the ranking system used, the list reflects statewide problems with pests, not just county problems. The top five pests are commonly found throughout Indiana and cause many problems for homeowners and gardeners: • Japanese beetles – These insects are unique pests because they cause problems during both their immature and adult stages. As an immature grub, these insects feed on the roots of corn, soybeans and turf grass. Adult beetles will feed on more than 240 species of green plants. • Moles – Moles are a common lawn pest, primarily causing aesthetic damage to lawns and gardens with their tunneling and burrowing. • Asian lady beetles – These pests do not necessarily cause any physical damage, but rather are more of an annoyance. Large numbers of lady beetles, a form of ladybug, often spend the winter inside structures, and homeowners often report seeing these pests flying around indoors. • Hornets, bees and wasps – These insects vary each year in terms of population size and the regions they inhabit. They can pose a threat when they establish colonies in lawns, shrubs and sometimes homes. • Ants – Carpenter ants are the greatest ant pests in Indiana. They are large, black ants that cause damage to homes by chewing on, but not necessarily eating, wooden structures. "If a homeowner or gardener is having problems with a particular pest, they can contact their local Extension educator," Whitford said. "Other good resources include garden centers, greenhouses and professional pest control companies." To learn more about Indiana pests, contact Purdue Pesticide Programs at (765) 494-1284. The Purdue Cooperative Extension Service also has publications concerning pest prevention and treatment, which can be ordered by calling (888) 398-4636. Source: Fred Whitford, (765) 494-1284, whitford@btny.purdue.edu Writer: Samantha Cain, (765) 494-8402, news_students@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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