Spring
Adult blacklegged ticks become active on mild days. Carpenter-ant swarmers, overwintered cluster flies and seasonal invaders may appear as buildings warm.
Black Gold Field Guide
Wisconsin
Bug Guide
Identify common bugs, ticks and spiders found around Wisconsin homes—and learn what matters, what usually doesn’t and what to do next.
Search common names, alternate names, appearance, location and signs.
Start here
Common Wisconsin finds
These quick clues can narrow the possibilities. Open a profile before deciding what action—if any—makes sense.
Possible health concernWisconsin mosquitoes
Slender flying insects with long legs; females of many species bite.
Open profile
Possible health concernBlacklegged tick
Dark legs; adult female has a dark shield with a reddish-brown abdomen.
Open profile
Can biteAmerican dog tick
Larger tick with pale gray or cream markings on the back.
Open profile
Mostly harmlessOrb-weaver spiders
Often sits in a classic wheel-shaped web rebuilt outdoors.
Open profile
Mostly harmlessWolf spiders
Fast, ground-running hunter; does not use a prey-catching web.
Open profile
Mostly harmlessFunnel-weaver spiders
Flat, non-sticky sheet web leading into a funnel-shaped retreat.
Open profile
Nuisance invaderBoxelder bugs
Black, narrow-bodied bug with thin red-orange lines on the wings and thorax.
Open profile
Nuisance invaderMulticolored Asian lady beetles
Color and spot count vary; pale area behind the head often shows a dark M-shaped mark.
Open profileWisconsin seasons
What shows up when
Weather can shift activity earlier or later. This is a general seasonal guide—not a live pest forecast.
Summer
Mosquitoes, tick nymphs, yellowjackets, Japanese beetles and garden spiders become more noticeable as warmth, moisture and food support activity.
Fall
Orb-weaver webs reach their most visible size. Boxelder bugs, lady beetles, stink bugs and cluster flies seek protected winter shelter.
Complete profiles
Identify. Understand. Act.
15 profiles shown
Possible health concern
Wisconsin mosquitoes
Family Culicidae
Slender flying insects with long legs; females of many species bite.
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Quick identification
Usually 1/8–3/8 inch, with six long legs, one pair of narrow wings and a projecting proboscis.
Common lookalikes
Non-biting midges look similar but often hold their front legs up and lack a long biting proboscis.
Where homeowners find it
Near standing water, shaded vegetation, decks, patios and damp yard edges.
When it is noticeable
Most noticeable from late spring through early fall; weather and species change the timing.
Why it is around
Water supports immature stages, while shaded, humid vegetation provides resting cover for adults.
What it means
A biting nuisance; some Wisconsin mosquitoes can spread illness, but a mosquito’s appearance cannot tell you whether it carries a pathogen.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Females of many species bite. Wisconsin public-health agencies monitor mosquito-borne illness. A bite or illness cannot be diagnosed from this guide.
Worth remembering
- Mosquito larvae and pupae develop in water.
- Different species are active at different times of day.
- Very small water-holding containers can support development.
What you can do now
- Empty and scrub water-holding containers at least weekly when practical.
- Repair screens and use an EPA-registered repellent according to its label.
- Keep gutters flowing and address avoidable standing water.
When professional help makes sense
Professional help may make sense when activity repeatedly limits use of family areas after water and habitat steps are addressed.
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Possible health concern
Blacklegged tick
Ixodes scapularis
Dark legs; adult female has a dark shield with a reddish-brown abdomen.
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Quick identification
Eight legs as a nymph or adult. Adults are sesame-seed sized; nymphs are much smaller. Females have a black shield and orange-red rear body.
Common lookalikes
American dog ticks are generally larger and have pale markings on the shield; immature ticks can be difficult to identify.
Where homeowners find it
Wooded or brushy areas, leaf litter, trail edges and yard transitions; attached to people or pets after outdoor exposure.
When it is noticeable
Exposure can occur year-round, with greatest activity generally during warmer months. Nymphs are especially important in late spring and summer; adults can be active on mild fall and spring days.
Why it is around
They wait on vegetation or leaf litter for a passing host; they do not jump or fly.
What it means
Wisconsin’s most important tick for human disease. Not every tick is infected, and not every bite causes illness.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Can transmit Lyme disease and other pathogens in Wisconsin. Identification does not show whether a tick carried disease.
Worth remembering
- All Wisconsin counties have reported blacklegged ticks.
- Nymphs can be about the size of a poppy seed.
- Ticks crawl; they do not jump or fly.
What you can do now
- Remove an attached tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers and clean the area.
- Check people, clothing, gear and pets after outdoor activity.
- Use official repellent guidance and manage leaf litter and brush near high-use areas.
When professional help makes sense
Yard service may help manage tick pressure in approved exterior areas, especially where lawns meet brush, woods or dense landscaping. Medical concerns belong with a healthcare professional.
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Can bite
American dog tick
Dermacentor variabilis
Larger tick with pale gray or cream markings on the back.
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Quick identification
Eight-legged adult; often about 3/16 inch before feeding. Males have mottling across the back; females have a pale patterned shield behind the head.
Common lookalikes
Blacklegged ticks are smaller and lack the ornate pale pattern. Lone star ticks are uncommon in Wisconsin and adult females have one white spot.
Where homeowners find it
Grassy paths, field edges, roadside vegetation and areas used by medium or large mammals.
When it is noticeable
Adults are commonly noticed in spring and early summer, though timing varies with weather.
Why it is around
Adults wait on vegetation for a host and may be carried into yards on animals.
What it means
A common Wisconsin biting tick. Wisconsin DHS reports that blacklegged ticks cause nearly all locally acquired tickborne illness; rare disease transmission by dog ticks is still possible.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Can bite people and animals. Do not use appearance to decide whether medical care is needed.
Worth remembering
- It is also called the wood tick.
- Adults are easier to see than blacklegged-tick nymphs.
- The pale back pattern is useful but a clear photo may still be needed.
What you can do now
- Use fine-tipped tweezers for prompt removal.
- Check pets, clothing and skin after brush or tall-grass exposure.
- Keep high-use lawn edges maintained and reduce dense harborage.
When professional help makes sense
Ask about yard-focused tick management when ticks are repeatedly found around family-use areas.
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Mostly harmless
Orb-weaver spiders
Family Araneidae
Often sits in a classic wheel-shaped web rebuilt outdoors.
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Quick identification
Eight legs; body shape and markings vary widely. The organized, circular web is often the easiest clue.
Common lookalikes
Funnel weavers make flat sheet webs with a retreat; cobweb spiders make irregular tangles.
Where homeowners find it
Gardens, shrubs, porch rails, eaves and between outdoor structures where flying insects pass.
When it is noticeable
Most conspicuous in late summer and fall when adults and webs are largest.
Why it is around
Exterior lights and flying insects create good hunting locations.
What it means
Beneficial outdoor predators. Treatment is usually unnecessary when a web is out of the way.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They can bite if trapped or handled, but bites are uncommon and not considered a routine medical concern.
Worth remembering
- Many rebuild or repair webs regularly.
- They help remove flying insects.
- Large late-season females are often more noticeable than males.
What you can do now
- Leave out-of-the-way webs when possible.
- Move a web with a long-handled brush if it blocks a doorway.
- Reduce unnecessary exterior lighting near doors and windows.
When professional help makes sense
Exterior service may make sense when heavy webbing repeatedly affects entrances, siding, eaves or other agreed areas.
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Mostly harmless
Wolf spiders
Family Lycosidae
Fast, ground-running hunter; does not use a prey-catching web.
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Quick identification
Eight legs, robust body and mottled brown or gray camouflage. Size varies from small to more than an inch in body length.
Common lookalikes
Funnel weavers may look similar but stay near sheet-and-funnel webs; eye arrangement is diagnostic but hard to see without magnification.
Where homeowners find it
Lawns, gardens, mulch, garages and basements; sometimes wanders indoors.
When it is noticeable
Seen through the warm season and sometimes indoors during weather changes.
Why it is around
They follow insect prey and use ground cover, cracks and sheltered edges.
What it means
Beneficial predators and usually not aggressive.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
A defensive bite is possible if pressed against skin or handled. A photo cannot diagnose a bite.
Worth remembering
- Females carry an egg sac attached to their spinnerets.
- Newly hatched spiderlings may ride on the mother’s back.
- They hunt instead of trapping prey in webs.
What you can do now
- Capture a single spider with a container and release it outdoors if practical.
- Seal gaps and repair screens.
- Reduce indoor insect prey and clutter along walls.
When professional help makes sense
Ask Jeremy when repeated exterior activity or web-related spiders around the structure are the actual concern; interior treatment is not listed.
Ask Jeremy about your situation
Mostly harmless
Funnel-weaver spiders
Family Agelenidae
Flat, non-sticky sheet web leading into a funnel-shaped retreat.
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Quick identification
Brownish, long-legged spiders; many have two dark stripes on the front body and long spinnerets visible at the abdomen tip.
Common lookalikes
Wolf spiders do not build prey-catching webs. Funnel weavers are not the same as medically important Australian funnel-web spiders.
Where homeowners find it
Grass, foundation plantings, shrubs, window wells, decks and low corners around structures.
When it is noticeable
Webs are easiest to notice from summer into fall, especially when dew outlines them.
Why it is around
The web is built where small insects move and where a sheltered retreat is available.
What it means
Useful outdoor predators; most individual webs need no treatment.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They may bite defensively if trapped, but are not considered a routine health concern in Wisconsin.
Worth remembering
- The web is a trip surface rather than a sticky net.
- The spider waits inside the funnel retreat.
- Morning dew can reveal many webs that were easy to miss.
What you can do now
- Leave webs that are not affecting use of the property.
- Brush away webs from agreed high-visibility areas.
- Reduce insect-attracting light near doors and windows.
When professional help makes sense
Exterior spider service may make sense when webbing is persistent around accessible home-exterior areas.
Black Gold service availableView service
Nuisance invader
Boxelder bugs
Boisea trivittata
Black, narrow-bodied bug with thin red-orange lines on the wings and thorax.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
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Quick identification
About 1/2 inch long, six-legged and mostly black with three red lines behind the head and red edging on the wings.
Common lookalikes
Milkweed bugs have broader orange areas; young boxelder bugs are smaller and much redder.
Where homeowners find it
On boxelder and silver maple trees, sunny exterior walls, window frames and wall voids.
When it is noticeable
Large groups often gather on warm, sunny walls in September and October, then reappear indoors on mild winter days.
Why it is around
They feed outdoors on boxelder and maple seeds, then seek dry shelter for winter.
What it means
A nuisance, not a threat to people or the structure. They do not reproduce indoors.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They do not bite or damage homes, though waste or crushed insects can stain surfaces.
Worth remembering
- Warm south- and west-facing walls attract fall gatherings.
- Indoor winter sightings usually come from insects already sheltering in the building.
- They cause only minor feeding damage to host trees.
What you can do now
- Seal gaps, repair screens and improve door sweeps before fall movement.
- Vacuum indoor insects rather than crushing them.
- Expect isolated winter activity on sunny days.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not currently list boxelder-bug treatment. Jeremy can help you decide whether the issue fits an exterior service or needs another provider.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Entry sourcesUW–Madison Extension — Boxelder bugs
Nuisance invader
Multicolored Asian lady beetles
Harmonia axyridis
Color and spot count vary; pale area behind the head often shows a dark M-shaped mark.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
Rounded, dome-shaped beetle about 1/3 inch long. It may be yellow, orange, red or black, with many spots or none.
Common lookalikes
Native lady beetles vary too; do not identify this species by spot count alone.
Where homeowners find it
Plants while feeding on aphids; sunny exterior walls and indoors during cool weather.
When it is noticeable
Outdoor predators in spring and summer; mass movement toward buildings is most noticeable in fall.
Why it is around
They hunt soft-bodied pests outdoors and seek protected overwintering sites in buildings.
What it means
Beneficial outdoors, but a nuisance when large numbers enter. They do not reproduce inside homes.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They can pinch skin and release yellow defensive fluid that stains. Repeated exposure can trigger allergy symptoms in some people.
Worth remembering
- The same species occurs in many color forms.
- Adults consume aphids and other plant pests.
- Crushing them can release odor and staining fluid.
What you can do now
- Seal exterior gaps before fall.
- Vacuum indoor beetles without crushing them.
- Avoid broad treatment of beneficial beetles on plants.
When professional help makes sense
This is not currently a listed Black Gold target pest. Identification and exclusion are often the first steps.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Nuisance / plant concern
Brown marmorated stink bug
Halyomorpha halys
Mottled brown shield shape with pale bands on antennae and alternating edge marks.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
About 1/2–5/8 inch long, shield-shaped and mottled brown-gray; abdomen edge alternates pale and dark patches.
Common lookalikes
Several native stink bugs look similar. Banded antennae and the alternating abdomen edge help separate BMSB.
Where homeowners find it
Gardens, fruit trees, crop edges and inside structures used for winter shelter.
When it is noticeable
Adults emerge in spring; new adults appear later in summer and seek buildings in fall.
Why it is around
They feed on many plants and use protected building spaces to overwinter.
What it means
A plant pest outdoors and nuisance indoors. UW reports its strongest Wisconsin presence in the south-central, southeastern and east-central parts of the state.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Can damage fruits and vegetables; it does not damage the structure or bite people indoors.
Worth remembering
- Wisconsin first confirmed it around 2010.
- It releases a strong odor when disturbed or crushed.
- In Wisconsin it generally has one generation per year.
What you can do now
- Seal siding, window, door, vent and utility gaps before fall.
- Vacuum indoor adults instead of crushing them.
- Hand-pick low numbers from garden plants when practical.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not currently list stink-bug treatment. Ask Jeremy if exterior activity overlaps an offered service; otherwise use the UW guidance.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Entry sourcesUW–Madison Extension — Brown marmorated stink bug
Can sting
Yellowjackets
Vespula species
Smooth-bodied, bold yellow-and-black wasp; nests may be in soil or voids.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
About 3/8–5/8 inch long, six-legged, with a narrow waist and little visible hair.
Common lookalikes
Paper wasps have longer legs and open comb nests; bees are generally hairier. Bald-faced hornets are a type of yellowjacket with black-and-white markings and aerial paper nests.
Where homeowners find it
Ground cavities, wall voids, sheds, shrubs and around sweet food, drinks or garbage.
When it is noticeable
Colonies grow through summer and are often most noticeable from late summer into fall.
Why it is around
Workers search for protein and sugars while protecting a growing social nest.
What it means
Useful predators away from people, but a nest near doors, play areas or mowing routes can create a sting concern.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They can sting repeatedly. People with severe reactions or breathing trouble need emergency medical care.
Worth remembering
- Most colonies last one season in Wisconsin.
- They prey on other insects as well as scavenge food.
- Plugging an active nest opening can redirect wasps into a structure.
What you can do now
- Keep distance from an active nest and keep children and pets away.
- Cover food, rinse recycling and secure garbage.
- Do not disturb, burn or flood a nest.
When professional help makes sense
Because Black Gold does not list stinging-insect service, use a provider equipped for the nest location. Ask Jeremy only if you need help deciding the next contact.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Property concern
Carpenter ants
Camponotus species
Large ant with a smoothly rounded upper back; workers in one colony vary in size.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
Workers are commonly 1/4–1/2 inch, usually black in Wisconsin species, with elbowed antennae and a narrow waist.
Common lookalikes
Other ants may be dark; termites have straight antennae, a broad waist and equal-length wings on swarmers.
Where homeowners find it
Around damp or damaged wood, tree cavities, stumps, wall voids and moisture-prone structural areas.
When it is noticeable
Workers may be noticed in warm months; winged reproductive ants often appear in spring or early summer.
Why it is around
They excavate galleries in wood for nesting but do not eat the wood. Moisture-damaged wood is commonly associated with nests.
What it means
A few outdoor foragers may be normal; repeated indoor activity, sawdust-like debris or winged ants can point to a nest or moisture problem.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Established colonies can weaken wood over time, especially where moisture already exists. They can bite defensively but are mainly a property concern.
Worth remembering
- They remove wood to make smooth galleries.
- A parent colony may have satellite nests.
- Correct identification matters before any treatment.
What you can do now
- Correct leaks and persistent moisture.
- Trim direct branch contact and remove rotting wood near the structure.
- Track where ants travel instead of spraying random individuals.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not currently list carpenter-ant treatment. A qualified structural-pest professional can inspect suspected indoor or structural nesting.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Entry sourcesUW–Madison Extension — Carpenter ants
Mostly nuisance
Earwigs
Forficula auricularia and related species
Elongated brown body with obvious forceps-like pincers at the rear.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
Usually 1/2–3/4 inch long, six-legged and flattened, with a pair of rear cerci that look like pincers.
Common lookalikes
Rove beetles can raise the abdomen but do not have movable rear forceps.
Where homeowners find it
Under mulch, stones, boards, pots and debris; sometimes in damp basements or near doors.
When it is noticeable
Most active on warm nights from late spring through summer.
Why it is around
They seek dark, moist shelter by day and feed at night on decaying material, small insects and some plants.
What it means
Mostly a nuisance and sometimes beneficial scavenger; high numbers can damage tender plants.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Their pincers are primarily defensive and they do not sting. They are not a disease concern.
Worth remembering
- Females guard their eggs and young.
- They feed mainly at night.
- Plant feeding can resemble slug damage but lacks a slime trail.
What you can do now
- Reduce damp debris and unnecessary harborage near entrances.
- Adjust heavy mulch where it stays wet against the foundation.
- Shake out outdoor items before bringing them inside.
When professional help makes sense
This is identification information only; Black Gold does not currently list earwig treatment.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Entry sourcesUW–Madison Extension — Earwigs
Mostly harmless
House centipedes
Scutigera coleoptrata
Fast runner with 15 pairs of extremely long, banded legs.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
Flattened, gray-yellow body with dark stripes, long antennae and 30 delicate legs in adults.
Common lookalikes
Millipedes have short legs, a rounded body and two pairs of legs on most body segments; they move more slowly.
Where homeowners find it
Basements, bathrooms, utility rooms, garages and other cool or humid places.
When it is noticeable
Can be seen year-round indoors; outdoor movement may increase with weather changes.
Why it is around
They hunt insects and spiders and are favored by moisture and available prey.
What it means
A beneficial predator indoors, though its speed and appearance make it an unwelcome nuisance. Numbers can signal moisture or other insects.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
Bites are uncommon and usually occur only if handled or trapped. They do not damage the building.
Worth remembering
- Adults have 15 pairs of legs—not 100.
- The last pair of legs is especially long.
- They hunt silverfish, flies and other small arthropods.
What you can do now
- Address leaks, condensation and persistently damp spaces.
- Use dehumidification where appropriate.
- Seal gaps and reduce the insect prey supporting them.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not list interior centipede service. A moisture or indoor-pest professional may be more appropriate for persistent numbers.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Nuisance invader
Cluster flies
Pollenia species
Sluggish gray fly, often gathered at sunny windows or in attics during cool weather.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
About 3/8 inch long, dull gray, with short golden hairs on the thorax and overlapping wing tips at rest.
Common lookalikes
House flies are usually faster and show four dark thorax stripes; blow flies can be metallic.
Where homeowners find it
Upper floors, attics, wall voids and sunny windows after overwintering inside a structure.
When it is noticeable
Adults enter buildings in late summer and fall and may become active on warm winter or spring days.
Why it is around
They use protected building spaces for winter shelter; larvae develop as parasites of earthworms outdoors, not in household waste.
What it means
A nuisance seasonal invader. Indoor sightings do not normally mean indoor breeding or sanitation problems.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They do not bite people or damage the structure.
Worth remembering
- They are often slow and easy to vacuum.
- Larvae develop outdoors in earthworms.
- Winter activity can be triggered by sun-warmed walls.
What you can do now
- Seal upper-level gaps, vents and window openings before fall.
- Vacuum adults that emerge indoors.
- Repair screens and avoid crushing flies on light surfaces.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not currently list cluster-fly treatment. Exclusion is the main long-term step.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Plant and lawn concern
Japanese beetles
Popillia japonica
Metallic green head, coppery wing covers and small white hair tufts along the abdomen.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
View identification, facts and next steps
Quick identification
About 3/8 inch long, oval and metallic. Five white tufts line each side, with two more at the rear.
Common lookalikes
Other metallic beetles lack the same copper wing covers and distinct white side tufts.
Where homeowners find it
On roses, grapes, fruit trees and many other plants; larvae live in turf soil and feed on roots.
When it is noticeable
Adults are usually most noticeable in Wisconsin during summer. Exact emergence varies with weather and soil conditions.
Why it is around
Adults feed in groups on foliage and flowers; grubs develop below turf after eggs are laid in soil.
What it means
A plant pest and, at high grub densities, a turf concern. Adult feeding can skeletonize leaves but healthy established plants may tolerate some damage.
Bite, sting, property or illness concern?
They do not bite or sting people. Adults damage foliage and flowers; grubs can thin turf when numerous.
Worth remembering
- Adults release odors that attract more beetles to feeding sites.
- Pheromone traps can draw beetles into the area and may worsen nearby plant damage.
- One generation is completed each year in Wisconsin.
What you can do now
- Hand-pick adults into soapy water early in the day when practical.
- Protect priority plants with physical barriers after bloom where pollination is not needed.
- Avoid automatically treating a lawn without confirming grub presence and meaningful damage.
When professional help makes sense
Black Gold does not currently list Japanese-beetle or grub treatment. Use UW guidance or a provider that verifies both the pest and the treatment need.
Identification information only — not currently within Black Gold’s listed service scope
Entry sourcesUW–Madison Extension — Japanese beetle
Spider activity
Webs collecting around the exterior?
Compare focused exterior treatment for approved siding, eaves, windows, garages, decks and entry areas.
Compare Spider Defense options →Mosquito + tick pressure
Want fewer pests in the areas you use most?
See how Black Gold evaluates vegetation, lawn edges, shaded resting areas and family-use spaces.
Explore Mosquito + Tick Protection →Identification before treatment
Not every bug
needs treatment.
Many outdoor insects and spiders pollinate plants, break down organic matter or prey on other insects. Responsible pest management starts by identifying what is actually present, understanding the real concern and choosing the least disruptive sensible response.
Black Gold will not pretend every visitor needs a pesticide treatment. If what you found is harmless, beneficial or outside the current service scope, the guide says so.
Read Safety & Compliance →Sensible first steps
Reduce the conditions
pests use.
These integrated-pest-management steps can reduce opportunities for pests, but they do not guarantee prevention or replace medical or veterinary advice.
- Remove avoidable standing water and maintain drainage.
- Repair screens and seal reasonable entry points.
- Manage leaf litter, clutter and harborage around high-use areas.
- Keep vegetation from creating unnecessary contact with structures.
- Check people, clothing, gear and pets for ticks after outdoor activity.
- Follow official repellent and tick-removal guidance.
- Read and follow every pesticide label—the label controls.
- Move children, pets, toys, food and water dishes as the product-specific directions require.
A closer look
Not sure what you found?
Send Jeremy a clear photo and tell him where you found it. Black Gold can help determine whether it appears related to a service currently offered and explain the most sensible next step.
- Take one close, sharp photo.
- Add a second photo with a coin or ruler for scale—without handling it.
- Include your city or ZIP and where it was found.
This opens your email app so you can attach photos directly. No street address is required. See the Privacy Policy.
Sources and further reading
Checked against
authoritative guidance.
Facts were reviewed August 23, 2026. Weather, distribution and public-health guidance can change; follow the linked agency for current information.
UW Insect Diagnostic LabWisconsin identification help →UW–Madison ExtensionWisconsin insect articles →Wisconsin DHSTickborne illness guidance →Wisconsin DHSMosquito information →U.S. EPAFind a repellent →National Pesticide Information CenterPets and pesticide use →
Identification photo credits and licenses
- Wisconsin mosquitoes: J.J. Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Blacklegged tick: Scott Bauer, USDA ARS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- American dog tick: NIAID, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Orb-weaver spiders: Quartl, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Wolf spiders: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Funnel-weaver spiders: Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Boxelder bugs: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Multicolored Asian lady beetles: Matthieu Sontag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Brown marmorated stink bug: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Yellowjackets: Desislav Iliev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Carpenter ants: Muéro, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Earwigs: Слободан Стевчић, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- House centipedes: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Cluster flies: Richard Bartz, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Japanese beetles: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
Found a pest around your property?
Tell Jeremy
what you are seeing.
Black Gold will confirm whether it fits the current service scope, check route availability and explain the next step before anything is authorized.
Submitting a request does not authorize service, create a contract or create a charge. Regulated pesticide applications will not be scheduled or performed until all required Wisconsin credentials and business requirements are active.