Do you have a question about how to get rid of an insect pest in your home or yard?  Did your child find a really cool caterpillar outside and you want to know how long it will survive in captivity?  Or maybe you just found an unusual bug and you want to know what it is!  If you've got a bug question, we just may have the answer. 

Tom Ellis, a long-time Academic Specialist in the Department of Entomology, has retired from MSU but is still available by email if you wan to let him know what's bugging you.  Feel free to email Tom at tome@msu.edu with your insect related questions.  If he can't help you, he'll try to direct you to who can. 

If you have an actual specimen that you want identified, the MSU Diagnostic Services Department is your best resource.  Check out their web site, or give them a call at 517-355-4536.  Their office is located in Rm 101 Center for Integrated Systems.

Below are links to some articles written by Mr. Ellis on some common house and yard pests which you may find helpful and entertaining.  Click on your article of interest and enjoy!

Basement Nasties: Pill Bug, Sow Bug and House Centipede.
"Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite".
Carpenter Ant.
Carpet Beetles: Black, Varied, Common and Furniture.
La Cucaracha: Cockroaches.
Clothes Moths: Webbing and Casemaking.
Fleas.
Sucking Lice: Head Louse and Crab Louse.
Pantry Pests: Indian Meal Moth, Confused Flour Beetle and Sawthoothed Grain Beetle.
Some Spiders.
Spiders of Medical Importance.
Eastern Subterranean Termite.