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Termites in Iowa
Iowa State University — The termites commonly found in Iowa are called subterranean termites because they live underground. Termite colonies are highly organized societies of several hundred thousand to 1 million or more individuals within a loose collection of ...More…
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Drywood Termites
Iowa State University — Although drywood termites are not native to the Midwest, they are occasionally found in Iowa in furniture transported here from the southwestern or southeastern U.S. Damage consists of large chambers and connecting small tunnels within the ...More…
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Carpenter Ants in Trees
Iowa State University — Carpenter ant nests are very common inside trees, especially older trees that are hollow or have a significant amount of dead limbs and branches. The nests are usually in rotted, decayed wood, although some nests may extend into sound heartwood ...More…
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Carpenter Ants In the House
Iowa State University — Carpenter ants are very abundant in Iowa, and are common pests in homes and other buildings. The most common carpenter ants are the familiar "large, black ants" that are one-half inch or more in length and shiny black. Other kinds of carpenter . ...More…
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Guide to Common Ants in Iowa (wingless workers only)
Iowa State University — Prepared by Donald R. Lewis and Laura Jesse, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University This document is also available as an easily-printable PDF. Thief Ant or Grease Ant, Light brown to yellow Thorax silhouette uneven in side view Abdomen ...More…
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Pine Seed Bug (Western conifer seed bug)
Iowa State University — The pine seed bug, also called the Western conifer seed bug, ( The pine seed bug is about 1 inch long, elongate in shape and dull reddish brown in color. It appears pointed at both ends; the antennae are almost the length of the body and are ...More…
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Houseplant Scale Insects
Iowa State University — Scale insects are difficult to control. There are several well-known remedies that can be tried in an attempt to eliminate scales from a houseplant. However, there is no easy, simple cure for a scale infestation. One possibility is to pick off ...More…
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Parasitic Wasps
Iowa State University — Parasitic wasps, that is, wasps that live part of their lives as parasites inside other insects comprise one of the largest insect groups. There are several hundred species of these wasps found outdoors in the "real world." This very large group ...More…
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Wharf Borer
Iowa State University — As the name implies, the wharf borer is common in the pilings and timbers of wharfs and docks and is most abundant along the coastal areas of the U.S. However, it is found in any wet, rotting lumber and is distributed throughout the country. The ...More…
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Clover Mites
Iowa State University — Clover mites are very tiny arachnids that live and reproduce outdoors, but are frequently encountered as a household pest in early summer and in the fall when they migrate into dwellings by mistake. They are only 1/64th inch long, soft, oval, and ...More…
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Foreign Grain Beetle
Iowa State University — An interesting, but unsettling thing happens to many occupants of brand new houses, especially when the houses are built in the summer and occupied in late summer or fall. New houses are frequently infested with foreign grain beetles, a common ...More…
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Illusory Parasitosis
Iowa State University — A common problem that people encounter is "bites," itching, or skin irritations that are assumed to be caused by insects but for which no insects or mites can be seen or found. Illusory parasitosis is one of many names used to describe bite-like ...More…