Check Your Backyard For These Invasive Pests Now, State Asks

OLYMPIA, WA — August is national Tree Check Month, and so the Washington Invasive Species Council has put out a call to all homeowners to report invasive pests that might be lurking in backyards.

Invasive bugs are often spotted by homeowners before biologists capture them in traps, and so the invasive species council has set up an online portal to accept bug reports. The state is on the lookout for the emerald ash borer, spotted lantern fly, and the citrus longhorned beetle in particular, although they are not active in Washington right now.

The sooner the bugs are spotted, the sooner they can be taken care of, state officials say. Citrus longhorned beetles were found in Tukwila in 2001, but were successfully eradicated due to early detection.

"Researchers and scientists are surveying for these species statewide, but we need the public’s help. By taking a few minutes of your time, you could help the state prevent and control the spread of invasive species, which pose a $1.3 billion threat to Washington’s economy every year and put our environment and human health at risk," invasive species council executive coordinator Justin Bush said in a statement.

One caution: state officials say that there are native bugs that resemble the invasive ones. If you see a strange bug in your backyard, the best bet is to report it to the Washington Invasive Species Council — there's also a smartphone app available for download. You can also see photos of potentially dangerous bugs on the council's website.