Pests

Earwigs
(Forficula auricularia)

Location: Found throughout Wyoming. Common in dark, damp areas.

Description: Earwigs are dark brown in color, 3/4 of an inch or so in length, and have large pinchers, or forceps attached to the rear of their abdomen. They do not actually enter ears. They are a predatory/scavenger bug and tend to feed on decaying matter. However, large infestations may damage living plants.

Management: Large infestations can be a nuisance and sometimes threatening and should therefore be treated with insecticide, such as Tempo SC.

Box Elder Bugs
(Boisea trivittata)

Location: Box Elder Bugs are found in and around homes throughout Wyoming. Simply a nuisance bug.
Description: The bugs are usually black in color with bright red beneath the wings and on the abdomen. They are around half an inch in length with three lines running across their head.
Management: Box Elder Bugs are quite resistant to most insecticides, however there has been some luck with the insecticide; Tempo SC. Small infestations can be treated with either laundry detergent applied straight to the bug, or with a vacuum cleaner. Both methods are usually only temporary.

Aphids

Location: On plants and trees throughout Wyoming
Description: 1/16 - 1/4 inch long, Found in various different colors, Have plump, pear shaped bodies with two tubes (cornicles) projecting from their abdomen.
Damage: Aphids feed on plants by sucking juices from the leaves and, at the same time, inject saliva into the host.
Aphids produce honeydew, a clear sticky substance that covers the leaves and ground around the plant.
Aphids feed in clusters and are present for multiple generations.
Management: It is usually not necessary to take action against these natural invaders but chemical insecticides are may be applied if needed.

Black Widow Spider
(Latrodectus hesperus)

Location: Found throughout Wyoming, Common in garages, barns, sheds, wood piles, etc. (partial to dark, secluded areas.)
Description: Females are the poisonous ones. They are a shiny black with large round abdomens. On the underside of their abdomen they have an hourglass shape that is reddish orange in color.
Damage: Black Widows are generally a timid spider but should you be bit it is necessary to seek immediate medical treatment. The bite may be fatal if not treated.

White Tail Prairie Dog
(Cynomys leucurus)

Location: Found throughout the western portion of Wyoming and Colorado, southern portion of Montana, and eastern part of Utah.
Description: White tail prairie dogs are a brownish tan color with a black spot above their eye and on their cheek. They range in sizes of around 14 to16 inches long and the tip of their tail is white.. They reside in large colonies and house in burrows beneath the ground. White tail prairie dogs feed on many of the same grasses and forbs that livestock feed on and they hibernate 3 1/2 to 5 months during the winter depending on the weather.
Management: The white tail prairie dog is a carrier of the plague, which can be passed on to other animals and even humans. Although dangerous, however, the plague is also a major contributor to their management. Often times it is the plague that will wipe out an entire prairie dog colony. Should the colony become too large or problematic, shooting, trapping, poisoning, and fumigation are methods of control that can be utilized.

Richardson Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus elegans)

Location: The Wyoming ground squirrel is found in Colorado, southern Wyoming, western Nebraska and parts of Utah.

Description: The Richardson ground squirrel is very similar in a appearance to the prairie dog except that it tends to be smaller, have a shorter tail and smaller ears. They live in underground colonies but are usually more destructive than a prairie dog due to the fact that the colonies are larger and they have a wider range of habitat. It has been estimated that 20 ground squirrels can eat as much forage as one sheep, and 200 ground squirrels can eat as much as a single cow.

Management: The management techniques for the Richardson ground squirrel are very similar to those used in managing the white tail prairie dog.

Insects and Pests of Carbon County