Garden Pests
This section describes least toxic strategies for managing the most common yard pests in the Central Washington area. The list of pests will be updated as the season dictates.
A small amount of pest damage is usually tolerable with little harm to plants. The following listed methods can help to manage these pests and reduce the use of longer-lasting and more toxic control products. Most pest problems can be prevented by early detection and very basic management measures. Some of the physical measures include barriers, traps, and handpicking. These methods may be all that are needed to control an existing pest problem. Use of any control products should be considered as a last resort measure. A product should be applied with proper timing to obtain best results. Always follow instructions on the product label.
The WSU Hortsense website lists common outdoor pests and their management. The WSU Pestsense website lists common indoor pests and fact sheets that describe management options.
Read about these insects we see in our area:
Sequoia Pitch Moth
Sequoia Pitch moths attack pines and other conifers.
The adult moth is clear winged with yellow and black markings resembling a yellow jacket wasp. The larvae, which do the damage, are about one inch long, yellowish, with a red-brown head.
The larvae feed by burrowing under the bark of the trunk or a branch and feeding there. On the trunk of the tree, the point of attack is often a point immediately under a branch. On branches, they tend to attack at points where the branch sends out side branches. A large, pinkish pitch mass develops at the point of entry. The larva feeds locally in the area under the pitch mass. As the pitch mass ages, much of the pink tinge disappears and its takes on a hard, grey appearance. An infested site is often re-infested and the size of the pitch mass increases.
If a new pitch mass is removed, the single larva is often found in the bark directly under it, or sometimes on the underside of the pitch mass itself. Older pitch masses often show the small exit hole used by the moth while in the pupal stage.
Host Plants
The most commonly seen host plants are pines, such as Austrian, ponderosa, mugho and shore pine. However, Sequoia pitch moth does attack other conifers such as Douglas fir and spruce.
Damage
As noted above, feeding is local, and initially damage is mostly aesthetic. However, on the trunks of small trees and the branches of all trees, repeated attacks may result in girdling and the death of the tree or of the end of the branch. See a larger photo of infestation.
Prevention
Maintain the overall health of the plant. Avoid stress as from under or over watering.
Avoid pruning in late spring through early fall when the moths are active. Pitch from wounds attracts the moths. Wounds created in late fall and winter are less likely to attract moths.
Control
Where possible, remove pitch masses by scraping or prying them off. Dispose of them, as larva in the pupal stage may be present within the mass.
Pheromone sticky traps may help.
WSU does not recommend any home chemical control.
Print this in a pdf file. 
Berry, Sap, Picnic Beetle
That little beetle feasting on ripe fruit you're coveting in your berry patch is know as the picnic beetle, sap beetle, and by proper name, as the nitidulid beetle. It enjoys overripe fruit of any kind. Its a nuisance pest.
Your best defense is to take action on the offense. Harvest fruit as soon as its ripe. Remove damaged, diseased and overripe fruit as soon as possible.
The College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky reports that traps are sometimes used, but their effectiveness is not proven, and a trap does not replace sanitation. A trap is placed between the crop and the woods to intercept the beetle. The trap is a container of fermenting plant juice, such as stale beer, overripe fruit, vinegar, molasses and water with yeast. The beetles fall into the container and drown. (The same trick works for fruit flies.)
Diagnosis Clinic
Do you have an insect or bug you can't identify? Bring it in to the Master Gardeners Diagnosis Clinic.
- Wednesdays 1:00- 4:00 p.m. year-round
- Mondays 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. April-November
- Chelan County Extension 400 Washington Street Wenatchee, WA
- Or call 509-667-6540 to ask a question. We'll call you back.
Insects at the Clinic
We've identified these insects in 2008 clinics.
Read about these at WSU Pestsense:
- subterranean termite
- fungus gnat
- Western boxelder bug
- carpenter ant
- berry beetle
Read about these at WSU Hortsense under Common Insects & Mites :
- giant conifer aphid
- root weevil notches leaves
- peach twig borer
- Sequoia pitch moth -on pines