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See also: IPM fact sheets for more diseases and pests.

See also: Economic Impact of Invasive Species to Washington State Fact Sheet [PDF, 205 KB]

Deployment of emergency measures to control invasive European green crabs on the Washington Coast and at sites within the Salish Sea is well underway, including the implementation of an Incident Command System (ICS) to facilitate statewide coordination between various agencies, tribes, and partners.

See also: Weed I.D. and Options for Control for more species

European green crabs are one of the most widespread invasive marine species on the planet, originally reaching Washington in 1996. When green crab populations grow too large, they compete with other shellfish, disturb the sediment, and destroy the eelgrass that is an important habitat for Dungeness crab and salmon. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is working to increase the effectiveness of Washington’s green crab early detection and rapid response program. Research conducted at the USGS' Western Fisheries Research Center aims to improve native shellfish habitat and limit the spread of European green crabs in coastal waters.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is beginning its annual search for pests that could threaten the state’s environment and agricultural industry. Staff will set thousands of traps statewide to monitor for the introduction or spread of more than 130 invasive pests and diseases, including spongy moth, Japanese beetle, apple maggot and northern giant hornet.

WSDA is still asking residents to report all suspected hornet sightings. Northern giant hornet queens should be active now and could be spotted while they establish their nests. As the colony grows, worker hornets may become increasingly visible throughout the summer and into the fall. See Public hornet trapping instructions for more information.

On August 5, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) received notification from a local wholesale aquarium company in Renton of possible invasive freshwater mussels on a shipment of Marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei). Moss balls are a commonly used decorative algae in aquariums and water gardens. Lab testing confirmed the mussels were zebra mussels (Dreisena polymorpha), a prohibited aquatic invasive species in Washington that, if established in local waters, would be capable of causing significant infrastructure and environmental damage. Zebra mussels and a close relative, the quagga mussel, are not known to be established in Washington.

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) detected two Japanese beetles near Grandview and one near Sunnyside in 2021. Additionally, a resident reported numerous Japanese beetles devouring her roses in Grandview that summer.

Japanese beetles would pose a serious threat to farms, gardens, and the environment if they were to become established in Washington State. Please report any suspected sightings of Japanese beetle at PestProgram@agr.wa.gov or 1-800-443-6684. See WSDA's Interactive Japanese Beetle Response Map.

We need your help to monitor for and report northern giant hornet sightings. By participating in a northern giant hornet citizen scientist project, you are helping protect your community from northern giant hornets.

Since the first report of a northern giant hornet in Washington in 2019 (known as the Asian giant hornet or the “murder hornet” back then), the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Pest Program has been working to eradicate northern giant hornets. The best time to participate is from July through November. You are most likely to see or catch a northern giant hornet during this timeframe because colonies are established, and workers are out hunting.