Pest Library
Common Pest Types
Nobody wants pests in their home. A lot of times it’s out of your control when these pests do arrive and make themselves comfortable. If you’re wondering what the common pest types are and what they do, we’ve created a list for you. Browse below to see if you find the pest that’s living in your home.
Termites
Bed Bugs
Ants
Spiders
Stinging Insects
Roaches
Fleas
Flies
Beetles
Outdoor Pests
Rats, Mice, & Wildlife
Mosquitoes
Termites
- The most common termite is the Eastern Subterranean found across North America
- Feeds on cellulose materials i.e. wood structures, paper, books, and cotton
- Eastern Subterranean termite colonies can range from 20,000 to a whopping 5 million workers
- Multiple colonies can be found within one home
- The notable sign of termite damage are tube-like hollows found in the wood structure of a home
- Peak season of termite infestation is in the spring, however termites are active year-round
Bed Bugs
- Six legged insects around 1/4″ in size
- Mahogany to rusty brown, red after a blood meal
- Nocturnal, hiding in a wide range of places including baseboards, suitcases, and even shoes
- Primary sustenance is warm-blooded animals, very much including humans
- Although they do not transmit disease, their bites become itchy, red welts
- Prevent bed bugs by vacuuming suitcases after a vacation
- A telltale sign of bed bugs is blood spots on bed sheets
- Bed bugs get their name because they like to live and feed in beds.
Habits
Bed bugs like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. They are elusive, nocturnal creatures. They can hide behind baseboards, electrical switchplates, picture frames, even wall paper. They come out at night for a blood meal.
Habitat
Bed bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to a human environment. They can be found behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery, and in furniture crevices.
Threats
Although bed bugs can dine on any warm-blooded animal, they primarily dine on humans. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can become red, itchy welts.
Prevention
Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation. Check your bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots. Bed bugs are elusive creatures, so it is imperative to seek professional pest control to address an infestation.
Pavement Ant
- Measure 2.5 to 4 millimeters long
- Dark brown to blackish in color
- Can contaminate food
- Nest in or under cracks in pavement, or in structures
Pharaoh Ant
- Measure 1/16″ in length.
- Body is pale, varying from yellowish to reddish, with a darker abdomen.
- Strongly implicated in the spread of various disease pathogens.
- Nest in warm, humid areas near sources of food and/or water.
- Nests are typically located in inaccessible areas like in wall voids, behind baseboards, in furniture, under floors, and between linens.
- Ants are winged and have stingers.
Odorous House Ant
- Tiny in size, ranging from 1/16″ to 1/8″ long
- Identifiable by strong, rotten coconut smell given off when ant is crushed
- Can contaminate food
- Nest in exposed soil and wall cracks
Carpenter Ant
- Ranging in size from 1/4″ for a worker up to 3/4″ for a queen
- Black, sometimes red and black, in color
- Rarely cause structural damage to buildings, but can can cause significant damage over a period of years, and can also extensively damage foam insulation
- Nest in live and dead trees, rotting logs, stumps, houses, telephone poles, and other wooden structures
- Nests are commonly found in porch pillars and roofs, window sills, and wood that is in contact with the soil
Field Ant
- Workers measure 1/8 inch” to 3/8″ in size
- Brown, black, reddish, or a combination of these colors in appearance
- Also commonly known as thatching ants
- Can cause damage to masonry walls, concrete sidewalks, etc
- Nest around small trees, shrubs, or rocks, or in cracks of sidewalks and along foundation walls
Black Widow Spider
- Around 3/4″ in length with a signature red hourglass shape on its black
- A misconception is that female Black Widow spiders after mating devour their male
- Spin their webs near ground level, near protected areas like piles of wood
- Their venom is a neurotoxin used for self defense
- Only bite a human out of self-defense
- Young children and the elderly are susceptible to a severe reaction to their bite
- Wear gloves when moving objects that this spider might have used as a home, and check shoes for the spiders
Brown Recluse Spider
- Light to dark brown with characteristic dark brown violin marking on its back
- 5/8″ in length
- Active at night; eat other bugs like cockroaches and crickets
- Often live outdoors in debris and wood piles, but can also be found in indoor storage areas and dark recesses
- Only bite humans in self-defense
- Bites can cause open, ulcerating sores
- Avoid keeping clothing on the floor, store clothing and shoes in plastic containers, and shake out out all clothing from hampers before washing or wearing
Hobo Spider
- Colloquially known as funnel web spiders
- One of the few North America spiders whose bites are considered medically significant
- Lives within a funnel-shaped structure of webbing for prey to blunder into their web
- Although known for its aggressiveness, the spider avoids contact with humans
- Bites cause considerable pain and can cause tissue death (necrosis) near the bite
Wolf Spider
- Around 1 & 1/2″ in length and have a leg span of 3”
- One visual identifier are the spider’s 4 small eyes of equal size with two larger eyes above
- Commonly feared due to its appearance and large size
- They do not build webs, and do not enter structures unless venturing after food
- These spiders are active hunters throughout both day and night
Woodlouse Spider
- Colored a dark cinnamon with an elongated abdomen with long fangs
- The spider’s name comes from its primary prey, the woodlouse, also known as sow bugs or rolly-polley
- Six small eyes scrunched serve a rudimentary function that likely detects only light from dark
- The bite is highly benign to humans and only causes minor pain from penetration
- This species does is rarely found in abundance
Cellar Spider
- One of the most common spiders found throughout North America
- Commonly mistaken as granddaddy-long-legs
- A darkened pattern around the eyes resembling a violin causes misidentification with the brown recluse
- Commonly found in basements or other darkened recesses of the home
- One sign of these spiders is their disorganized webbing that they create
Yellowjackets
- Known for their black and yellow patterned abdomen
- Length varies from 3/8″ to 5/8″, with queens being 25% larger
- Found worldwide with about 16 species occuring in the United States
- Social insects with colonies ranging in the thousands
- Highly defensive of their colonies, often found on structures and vegetation
- Their sting can be life-threatening to those sensitive to their toxin
- Feeds on sweet materials, during fall can be aggressive while seeking food
Paper Wasp
- Brown and black with a pair of orange to pale brown oval patches on their abdomen
- Name is derived from the paper-like material of which they construct their nests
- Usually unaggressive wasps that are a nuisance pests
- Semi-social living within small colonies
- Disturbance of their nest will likely lead to the individual being stung
- Colonies often hang from the home exterior, i.e. porch ceilings, eaves, and deck floor joints
Honey Bee
- Social insects that are important to the pollination of flowers and over 100 crops in the U.S
- Produce honey which feeds their young in colder months
- The only social insect whose colony can survive many years
- Often build nests within trees, but occasionally build in attics or chimneys
- Removal should be handled by professionals due to colony and nest size
Baldface Hornet
- Baldfaced with largely black body and white face
- Found throughout the United States
- Fast, active predators of other insects
- Build strong, round, gray nests that range from the size of a softball to a basketball
- Nests are built in the open and can be found as high as 66 ft or even higher.
- The diameter of their nests can reach 24″ in length
Bumble Bee
- Body is black with yellow stripes
- Beneficial insect, as they pollinate crops and plants
- Have stingers, and can sting more than once
- Nests are typically in the ground, but can also be found around patios and decks or in attic soffits
Carpenter Bee
- Look like typical Bumble Bees, but often lack yellow stripes
- Can damage wood through their nest building
- Prefer to bore through bare wood
- Occasionally attacks stained or painted wood
Mud Dauber
- Resembles the Wasp and has a dark abdomen
- Their name derives from the fact that they construct nests from mud
- Found throughout the United States and considered a nuisance
- Solitary insects that do not live in colonies
- Create nests both with mud nests or burrow into soft wood
German Roach
- Around 1/2″ to 1/8″ in length with two dark stripes behind the head
- Prefers to live in kitchens and bathroom of residential property including homes, restaurants, supermarkets, and hospitals
- Prefers cracks and crevices and harbors deep inside voids
- Usually warm moist humid environments will allow populations to soar in great number quickly
Pennsylvania Roach
- Adult males are approximately 1″ long; females grow to about 3/4″ long
- Males are dark brown; the sides of the thorax and the front half of the wings are margined with yellow
- Usually found outdoors beneath loose bark in woodpiles, stumps, and hollow trees
- Attracted to lights at night and may gain entry indoors
- Feeds primarily on decaying organic matter
- Populations are expected to grow as sources of wood such as firewood, cedar shake shingles, and homes built in wooded areas grow
American Roach
- Around 1 1/2″ in length, reddish brown with a pale yellow margin on the region behind the head
- When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly
- Immature cockroaches resemble adults except that they are wingless
- Prefer to live in moist areas and prefer warm temperatures of 84 degrees
- Commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, cracks, and sewers
Oriental Roach
- Nearly black shelled with males being 1″ in length and females 1 1/4″ in length
- Survives on filth and enjoys temperatures from 64 to 84 degrees
- Live in basements, crawl spaces, drains, leaf piles, and firewood outdoors
- Sometimes called “water bugs” because they come out of drains
Fleas
- Most common is the cat flea
- Approximately 1/8″ long
- Laterally flattened bodies
- Color is brownish black to black, but reddish black when full of blood
- The flea life cycle is Egg, Larvae, Pupae, Adult
- Females lay 4-8 eggs after each blood meal, laying some 400-500 during their lifetime
- Eggs are deposited on or between hairs, or in the nest or bedding material
- Eggs deposited on the animal either fall or are shaken off and are found in cracks and crevices where pets sleep or frequent
- Eggs are oval,whitish, and about 1/64″ long
- Eggs usually hatch in 1-12 days
- Once hatched larvae require relatively high humidity and 1-2 weeks up to several months to reach the pupal stage
- Pupal stage typically lasts 4-14 days but can be up to a year under harsh conditions
- Once in the Pupal stage pre-emerged adult fleas remain in a cocoon where they are protected form adverse conditions including pesticides
- Pupating fleas do not emerge in an unoccupied home. Emergence is triggered by a potential host entering the room. This is why many people discover fleas upon their return from vacation or other extended absences.
- CO2, body heat, footstep vibration, and footstep pressure are among the triggers
Phorid / Humpbacked / Scuttle Fly
- Around 1/8” in size and tan to a dark brown in color
- Similar to the fruit fly but is known for its humped back
- Breeding sites found within moist, decaying organic matter i.e. sewers, trash, food beneath counters
Cluster Fly
- Around 1/4″ in size, and dark gray in color with golden yellow hairs across the body
- This species forms close-knit colonies that typically live in wall voids or attics
- During cooler temperatures the Cluster fly will go indoors to warmer temperatures
- They do not multiply within indoor structures
- They are sluggish in comparison to house flies
- Around June or July is the best time to begin prevention
Fruit Fly
- Oval-shaped with a tan colored body
- Feeds on decaying fruits and vegetables
- Commonly found in homes, restaurants and other facilities where food is processed
- Found in unsanitary locations, they present a potential health concern
- Remove kitchen trash daily, and keep counters clean
House Fly
- House flies get their name from being the most common fly found in homes
- They can only feed on liquids but have the ability to turn many solids into liquids for consumption
- Known to carry over 100 different kinds of disease-carusing germs
- Proper sanitation is the best method to prevent the presence of house flies
Moth / Drain / Filter / Sewage Fly
- Around 1/8” in size and covered in black scale-like hairs
- Most common breeding site is within decaying organic matter such as drains or sewers
Blow / Bottle Fly
- Medium sized with a robust shape, and it is metallic-looking in appearance
- It most often breeds in animal carcasses, garbage, animal manure, decaying vegetables, and decaying grass clippings and leaves
Darkwinged Fungus Gnat
- Around 1/16” long with black long wings
- Common breeding sites include fungus growing in moist soil and root hairs of plants
- It takes 12 to 27 days to progress from egg to larvae to pupa to adult
Powderpost Beetle
- The name describes several species of small 1/8″ to 3/4″ long, wood-boring insects which reduce wood to a flour-like powder
- Damage is done by the larvae as they create narrow, meandering tunnels in wood as they feed
- Infestations are discovered after noticing round “shot holes” in the wood surface where they have chewed out of the wood after completing den work
- Most are introduced into homes in lumber or finished wood products, however they will only lay their eggs on bare, unfinished wood
- Early detection is the best prevention, replacing damaged wood and applying finish to the replacement can stop the infestation
- When replacing damaged wood is not practical, the professionals at Bug Zero can treat infested areas to eliminate this pest
Ground Beetle
- Around 1/16″ to 1 & 3/8″ long, often black but come in a brilliant array of other colors
- About 2,500 known species of Ground Beetles in North America
- Many exude or expel foul-smelling secretions that are used to repel enemies
- Some are attracted to lights and enter the home by crawling through small openings and cracks in windows, doors, foundations, etc
- Normally live outdoors and do not establish themselves indoors
- They are not dangerous to humans, domestic animals (pets), structures, or household items
- Remove objects where they can hide such as leaf piles, old boards, stone piles, firewood piles, etc. around house entrances
- When found indoors, collect by broom and dustpan to relocate outside of the house since these predators are helpful in agriculture
Ladybugs
- The most commonly known of the beneficial insects
- Red oval, dome shelled with black spots, often with signature black spots – though the presence of the color varies
- In the autumn, adults hibernate, sometimes in large numbers, in plant refuse and crevices
- Sometimes they become a nuisance by their presence when congregating in and around homes
- Caulk and seal spaces and gaps to prevent them from coming inside
- Physically remove Lady Beetles found indoors
Japanese Beetle
- Introduced into New Jersey on nursery stock from Japan in 1913
- Larvae feed on roots of grass, herbaceous plants and nursery stock, while adults feed on foliage and fruit
- Adult feeding results in skeletonization on foliage and flowers
- Grubs feed on roots of grasses causing damage to pasture, lawn, and golf courses
- A targeted application of an appropriate pesticide, by a licensed applicator, is the best means of controlling this pest
Flour Beetle
- Common household pest that originates from infested grain, particularly cereal products such as flour, cornmeal, crackers, dry pet food, etc.
- Both adults and small, off-white larvae will be found in an infested food item
- The adult beetles often wander away from the infested material and will be found inside cupboards or anywhere in the house
- Control of any stored food pest requires locating and eliminating the infested item(s)
- Infested items can be thrown away or salvaged by freezing for 1 week or heating in a 140 degree oven for 15 minutes
- Store susceptible foods in sealable glass, heavy plastic containers, or in the refrigerator until you are sure the infestation is gone
Boxelder Bug
- Around 1/2” in length, is dark brown, and has three longitudinal red stripes on the thorax
- Found throughout North America and Canada
- Feeds on the Boxelder tree and other maples such as the Silver Maple
- During winter these bugs will invade buildings and other structures
Camel / Cave / Stone Cricket
- Size ranges from 1/2″ to 1 & 1/2″ and a humpbacked with brown in color
- They do not make chirping sounds, and they are wingless
- Prefer moist areas i.e. basements, crawl spaces, and garages
- They possess a powerful jumping ability
Field Cricket
- Around 1/2” to 1 & 1/4” in length and are typically black, but can also be mustard yellow
- Produces a signature chirping sound
- Found worldwide, commonly living in pastures and meadows
- Occasionally they will damage field crops
Sowbug
- Oval and round when rolled up, colored a dark brown to black
- Also known as “Pillbugs”
- Live in damp locations, i.e. damp objects or under vegetable debris
- They do not spread disease or invade food products, but are considered pests once inside the home
- Once inside, they will commonly dry out and die
Clover Mite
- Smaller than a pinhead, oval-shaped arachnids, reddish-brown to olive in color
- Sometimes invade homes in enormous numbers in early spring and late autumn
- A crushed Clover Mite leave a reddish stain quite noticeable on linens, curtains, walls, and woodwork
- They do not bite humans, nor transmit disease, nor feed on household furnishings or pantry supplies
- Eggs remain dormant during the summer, hatching when temperatures fall below 85 F
- Use a vacuum cleaner to effectively collect live mites whithout crushing them
- Burn vacuum bag or take to a garbage disposal far from the house
Earwigs
- Long, narrow insects that are dark brown in color
- Name is derived from the myth that they crawl into sleeping people’s ears and tunnel into their brains
- The long cerci, or clippers, on their backsides easily identify an earwig
- Hide during the day and feeds on vegetation, fruits, mold, and other insects
- Commonly found beneath lawn debris, mulch, or in tree knots
- They do not spread diseases
Springtails
- About 700 species of Springtails occur in North America, and more than 6,000 worldwide
- Move rapidly because of a “springing” device on their abdomen called a furcula
- Their food includes decaying vegetation, fungi, bacteria, pollen, algae, lichens, and insect feces
- Invade structures in search of moisture when their usual habitat becomes dry
- They are attracted to light and can enter houses through cracks and crevices of homes
Bagworms
- Adult bagworms differ in appearance depending on their gender. Males are black with clear wings while females are whitish in color and do not have wings, antennae, legs, or mouthparts.
- They form cone-shaped bags which are carefully interwoven using silk and bits of leaves and twigs from the host plant.
- They inhabit regions of the United States that are east of the Mississippi River.
- They live in trees and shrubs, and prefer coniferous trees, arborvitae, juniper and cedar.
- Shrubs and trees can become stripped of their foliage and needles in a very short period of time, especially if there is a large infestation.
Lone Star Tick
- Recognizable by deep brown exterior, adult females have a prominent white dot on their backs.
- Known to spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and Lyme disease.
- Commonly found in south-central and southeastern region of the US.
- Can be found indoors after attaching themselves to humans or their pets.
- Adults can be found on large animals i.e. cattle, deer, and horses.
Mayfly
- These aquatic insects are not “flies” at all, and are also called Shadflies or Lakeflies
- Eggs are deposited in water and the nymphs live at the bottom of streams, pools, and lakes
- Adults are attracted to light at night and often occur in tremendous numbers during the summer
- A major source of inhalant allergy
- Dead mayflies break into pieces and are carried by the wind, and can then be inhaled
Skunks
- Member of the weasel family and is represented by four species in North America
- Characterized by prominent, lateral white stripes that run down its back, otherwise the fur is jet black
- About the size of a house cat and weighing about 8 pounds
- Has the ability to repeatedly discharge a nauseating musk from its anal glands
- Inhabit clearings, pastures, and open lands bordering forests, and establish dens in hollow logs or trees
- Burrow under porches or buildings, open garbage seeking food, destroys gardens eating both pants and digging soil for grubs
- Primary carrier of rabies in the Midwest
Raccoons
- Stocky mammals about 2 to 3 feet long, weighing 10 to 30 pounds
- Known for its distinctive black “mask” over their eyes and heavily furred, ringed tail
- Found in hardwood forests near water, living in hollow trees, ground burrows, desolate buildings, and rock crevices
- Nuisance due to their habit to raid garbage in search of food and destruction gaining entrance into homes for warmth
- Reported rabies in both them and other wildlife has increased dramatically over the past 30 years
Squirrels
- Measure 18” to 27” with a wide-variety of fur colors
- In areas of 10% forest cover, fox and gray squirrel populations may be equal
- In residential areas, they travel power lines and short out transformers
- Remove food at feeders intended for birds
- Occasionally enter birdhouses to devour the nestling songbirds
- In gardens may eat planted seeds, mature fruits, or grains such as corn
Bats
- The only mammal that can fly
- Found worldwide and include 900 species, second only to rodents among mammals
- When congregating in groups are called colonial bats, and alone are known as solitary bats
- Can be found above swimming pools from which they drink or catch insects
- Enter buildings via cracks in roof edges, eaves, chimneys, vents, and walls
Norway Rat / Sewer Rat
- Around 11” in length with thick fur of gray, brown, or black
- Excellent climbers and often enter the home during the fall when food is scarce
- Norway rats live in fields, farm lands, and in structures
- Ability to chew through wiring, causing fires, and also spread numerous diseases
Armadillos
- Has a protective armor which is divided into nine shields
- It prefers sandy or loam soils that are loose and porous for its burrows
- Most damage occurs as a result of their rooting in lawns, golf courses, vegetable gardens, and flower beds
- Characteristic signs of activity are shallow holes, 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, which are dug in search of food
- Known to keep homeowners awake at night by rubbing their shells against houses or other structures
Opossums
- White to gray mammal about the size of a house cat that can weigh as much as 14 pounds
- Skull is usually 3″ to 4″ long and contains 50 teeth – more than any other North American mammal
- Habitats are diverse, ranging from arid to moist, wooded to open fields
- Occasionally den in attics and garages where they make a messy nest
- Can be a nuisance when near the home where they disturb garbage, bird feeders, or pet food
House Mouse
- Around 2” with light brown to black fur
- The most common rodent pest in most of the world
- Breeds year-round, and often living in structures but can live outside
- Micro droplets of their urine can cause allergies in children
- Carrier of fleas, mites, ticks, and lice
- Prevention of mice begins with the sealing of all holes that are over the size of a nickel
Snakes
- Only a handful of snakes are poisonous in the United States, this group is known as pit vipers
- Pit vipers have a pit on each side of their head, midway between the eye and the nostril – nonpoisonous snakes do not have these pits
- The underside of the tail of the pit vipers have scales go across in one row, nonpoisonous have two rows of scales beneath
- The pupil of a pit viper is elliptical that in bright light displays an almost vertical line, nonpoisonous snake eyes are perfectly round
- In general they enjoy cool, damp, dark areas where they can find food
Woodchucks / Ground Hogs
- Woodchucks burrows give shelter to amphibians, reptiles, smaller rodents, and even larger animals such as foxes.
- Female woodchucks have dependent young in the burrows from late winter until spring or early summer.
- Woodchucks like to navigate through fairly high vegetation.
- Keeping undergrowth and grass cover low will help deny woodchucks the security they seek before burrowing around buildings and homes.
- Woodchucks hibernate in early November through late February.
Mosquitoes
- Pale brown flying insects with milky stripes across abdomen
- Breed in stagnant water or soft soil, develops from egg to adult in 10 to 14 days
- Spread diseases such as West Nile Virus, malaria and dengue fever
- Reduce mosquito populations by emptying standing water at least once a week
- Place mosquito-eating fish such as gambusia and minnows to standing water
- Protect against with screen windows, doors, and other opening with mesh
- Avoid going outdoors when they are the most active: during dusk and dawn
- Use insect repellent containing DEET on skin to help prevent mosquito bite
Mosquito Treatment
If mosquitoes are ruining your outdoor summer activities, Bug Zero offers many options to suppress these outdoor pests. Whether for gated communities, campgrounds, golf courses, ball parks, stadiums, outdoor parties, weddings, homes, businesses, or any other outdoor area where mosquitoes are a problem, Bug Zero’s certified technicians have the necessary equipment and knowledge to address your mosquito control needs.
Bug Zero’s mosquito control services include site evaluation and recommendation, larval control in all types of water, long-lasting surface and foliar applications, and Thermal Fog applications with the “Skeeter Deleter.” Our technicians are Public Health Pest Control and Aquatic Pest Control certified and will help make your summer outdoor activities enjoyable once again.