About BugWise
Our mission
Finding a bug in the kitchen or a bite on your arm raises the same questions every time: what is this, is it dangerous, and how do I make it stop? BugWise answers them in plain English, starting with how to identify the pest and the safest steps that work, and saying clearly when it is time to call a licensed professional or see a doctor.
What we cover
- How to Get Rid Of. Step-by-step guides that start with sanitation, exclusion and traps before any pesticide.
- What Does It Look Like? Identification guides with real, clearly licensed photos and the lookalikes people confuse.
- Bug Bites. Clues from where and when a bite happened, and the warning signs that need medical care. We never give treatment advice.
- Tools. A Bug Identifier (color, legs and room) and a Bite Identifier, plus a seasonal pest calendar.
Where our information comes from
We rely on university Cooperative Extension services and entomology departments (such as UC IPM, Penn State, the University of Kentucky, Texas A&M AgriLife and UF/IFAS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Pesticide Information Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every article lists its sources at the bottom; read oureditorial policy for the details.
About our images
Cartoon illustrations on the home page and at the top of most articles are made for this site with AI image tools; they are friendly drawings, not photos of real specimens. Identification pages use real photos that are in the public domain or released under Creative Commons licenses that allow reuse; each one is credited under the photo and on our photo credits page. Diagrams and charts are drawn by us from the sources cited. We never show photos of bites or skin.
Independence
BugWise is an independent site. It is not affiliated with any university, agency or pest control company we cite. The site is supported by advertising and, where noted, affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Can you identify a bug from my photo?
We can't identify individual photos. Try our Bug Identifier, and for a positive ID contact your local Cooperative Extension office, which often identifies insects for free.
Is this medical advice?
No. Our bite pages help you think about what may have bitten you and when to get care. For any health concern, talk to a doctor or pharmacist. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
Do you recommend pest control companies or products?
We describe types of products and when a licensed professional makes sense, but we don't endorse companies. Any pesticide should be used exactly as its label says.
How do I report a mistake?
Please use our contact page. Fixes are logged on our corrections page.