Insect Identification and Management

If you find an unusual insect or spider, and you are unable to identify it using the Internet or other resources, you can bring it to our office for identification. The Master Gardener's (University of California, Cooperative Extension Service) also have a desk in our office available for identification and garden questions.

Exotic Pests: The state office of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) deploys detection traps for exotic pests throughout Santa Clara County. These traps are deployed as a safeguard to prevent the introduction of destructive insect pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, and Japanese beetle.

Pest detection traps are often deployed in residential yards and gardens. If you should have questions regarding one of these traps, or questions about the trapping program, please call the local CDFA office at: (408) 254-8573.

Domestic Insect Pests: Our office frequently receives calls from the public concerning insect pests. The most common calls are about bed bugs, termites, olive fruit fly, ants, cockroaches, and Africanized honeybees. At the bottom of the page (under Related Articles) you will find information about these pests and some of the control measures available. If you need help identifying an insect you can bring the insect to our office for free identification services

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For More Information Please Contact:
The U.C. Cooperative Extension Service
1553 Berger Drive
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 282-3110

Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture
1553 Berger Drive
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 918-4600