Not every insect in Pennsylvania is harmless, and some can pose real threats to people and gardens. These 11 species are worth removing fast for safety and plant health.
I’ve had a few surprise visits in my own yard that convinced me to act quickly. Learn which ones to look for so you can protect your garden and yourself.
1. Black Widow Spider
These glossy black arachnids with distinctive red hourglass markings pack a seriously venomous bite. Pennsylvania residents occasionally find them in woodpiles, sheds, and undisturbed corners.
Their neurotoxic venom can cause intense pain, muscle cramps, and in rare cases, more severe symptoms requiring medical attention. Call professionals if you spot their irregular, sticky webs around your property.
2. Brown Recluse Spider
Though less common in Pennsylvania than southern states, these spiders occasionally hitchhike into homes. Look for their violin-shaped marking and six eyes arranged in pairs instead of the typical eight.
Their bite can create a painful, slow-healing wound as tissue dies around the bite area. Pennsylvania pest control experts recommend immediate removal if identified in basements, closets or storage areas.
3. Deer Tick
Barely the size of a sesame seed, these tiny vampires lurk in Pennsylvania’s wooded areas and tall grass. Their bites often go unnoticed until symptoms appear.
As Lyme disease carriers, they’re among the most dangerous insects in the state. Pennsylvania hikers should check thoroughly after outdoor activities, as early tick removal dramatically reduces disease transmission risk.
4. Yellow Jackets
Unlike honeybees, these aggressive wasps can sting repeatedly without dying. Summer picnics in Pennsylvania parks often attract them to sweet drinks and food.
Their ground nests hidden in Pennsylvania yards make accidental encounters likely while mowing or gardening. Multiple stings can trigger severe allergic reactions, making professional removal essential if you discover a nest on your property.
5. Carpenter Ants
While they don’t bite humans often, these large black ants silently destroy wooden structures throughout Pennsylvania homes. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but excavate it to build nests.
The tunnels they create weaken structural supports over time. Pennsylvania homeowners should address infestations quickly before they cause thousands in property damage to wooden beams and supports.
6. Kissing Bugs
These bloodsucking insects earned their creepy nickname by biting humans near the mouth while they sleep. Though rare in Pennsylvania, climate changes have expanded their range northward.
They can transmit Chagas disease, a potentially serious condition affecting the heart and digestive system. Pennsylvania health officials recommend sealing cracks around windows and doors to prevent these nocturnal bugs from entering homes.
7. German Yellowjackets
Often confused with honey bees, these wasps build massive paper nests in Pennsylvania attics and wall voids. A single colony can contain thousands of aggressive defenders ready to attack.
Unlike their ground-nesting cousins, they prefer human structures for nesting. Pennsylvania pest control experts recommend professional removal, as disturbing nests can trigger mass attacks with painful, sometimes dangerous consequences.
8. House Centipedes
Despite their beneficial role hunting other insects, these many-legged speedsters terrify Pennsylvania homeowners with their alien appearance. Their bite isn’t dangerous to humans, but can cause temporary pain and swelling.
Excessive numbers indicate other pest problems in your Pennsylvania home. Their presence suggests moisture issues and insect infestations that should be addressed before structural damage or health issues develop.
9. Bed Bugs
These nocturnal bloodsuckers have made an alarming comeback across Pennsylvania hotels and homes. They hide in mattress seams, headboards, and furniture cracks during daylight hours.
Their bites cause itchy welts and significant psychological distress. Pennsylvania public health officials warn that DIY treatments often fail, allowing colonies to grow larger while developing resistance to over-the-counter pesticides.
10. Spotted Lanternfly
This invasive species first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014 and quickly became a major agricultural threat. Their feeding damages fruit trees, hardwoods, and grape vines vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.
Adults have distinctive spotted wings and bright red underwings when flying. Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture requests immediate reporting and destruction of these insects to prevent further economic and environmental damage throughout the state.
11. Paper Wasps
With slender bodies and dangling legs during flight, these wasps build umbrella-shaped open-cell nests under Pennsylvania home eaves and porch ceilings. They’re less aggressive than yellowjackets but still defend their nests vigorously.
Multiple stings can trigger severe reactions even in non-allergic people. Pennsylvania homeowners should remove small spring nests while wearing protective clothing, or call professionals for larger established colonies.