Identify an insect or diagnose a plant
In the United States, contact a local Cooperative Extension office for insect identification or find a plant diagnostic lab. Ask how it accepts submissions before taking or mailing a sample. Include your location, recent changes, and close and context photos. For plants, add the host name, affected parts, growth stage, and pattern across other plants.
Local Extension offices · National Plant Diagnostic Network · USDA plant-health contacts for suspected unusual pests
Wildlife or possible contact
For possible human contact with a bat or another concern about exposure, contact local public health or medical care promptly. For pet contact, call a veterinarian. If the question is about an occupied nest or roost, reach the wildlife authority. Give the species if known, location, evidence of occupancy or young, and the work being considered.
US health department directories · US state fish and wildlife agencies · England bat protection and licensing
Bats: exposure first, exclusion at the right time · Record the questions for your wildlife operator
Verify a provider, product or local service
Find the regulator for the location and type of work proposed. Ask the provider for their licence or certification details where required, their written work scope, and the actual product label when a pesticide is proposed. In the UK, use the council lookup for local pest-control services and consult the relevant regulator for pesticides.
US state pesticide regulators · UK local council pest-control lookup · UK Health and Safety Executive pesticide information
Elsewhere, start with the local agriculture, wildlife, public-health or housing authority as appropriate. Bring the exact locality, evidence, service type, and any written instructions you received.