Pest library
Free to browse — identification info for every pest we cover. Treatment steps and product picks are part of your subscription.
- Acrobat AntEasy DIYDark brown to black ants, 1/8 inch, recognizable by their heart-shaped abdomen which they raise over their body when threatened. Often nests in moisture-damaged wood, insulation, or old carpenter ant galleries.
- Argentine AntEasy DIYLight to dark brown ants, about 1/12 inch, notable for forming massive interconnected colonies with multiple queens. They travel in dense trails and are strongly attracted to sweet and sugary foods.
- Carpenter AntPro RecommendedLarge black or red-and-black ants, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, that excavate smooth tunnels in damp or decaying wood to build nests. Unlike termites, they don't eat wood — they push out small piles of sawdust-like debris (frass) near entry points. Winged reproductives ('swarmers') emerging indoors in spring are a strong sign of an established nest.
- Crazy AntEasy DIYDark brown ants, about 1/8 inch, named for their fast, erratic, non-linear running pattern. They form large colonies and are drawn to electrical equipment as well as food.
- Fire AntEasy DIYReddish-brown ants, 1/8 to 1/4 inch, that build large dome-shaped dirt mounds in open, sunny areas. Their sting causes a painful, burning welt that can blister — a distinguishing behavioral trait when a mound is disturbed.
- Little Black AntEasy DIYTiny jet-black ants, about 1/16 inch, that nest in soil, under stones, or in wood, and forage in visible trails both indoors and outdoors.
- Odorous House AntEasy DIYSmall dark brown to black ants, about 1/8 inch, that release a strong rotten-coconut smell when crushed. They nest in shallow soil, under mulch, or in wall voids, and form large, fast-moving trails to food, especially sweets.
- Pavement AntEasy DIYSmall brown-black ants, about 1/8 inch, that nest in and under cracks in pavement, sidewalks, and foundations. Small mounds of excavated soil around cracks are a common sign of activity.
- Pharaoh AntPossible DIYTiny yellow to light brown ants, about 1/16 inch, common indoors year-round, especially in heated buildings. Colonies split easily when disturbed, making them notoriously difficult to control with contact sprays alone.
- Thief AntEasy DIYExtremely small yellow to brown ants, about 1/32 inch, that nest near other ant colonies and steal their brood and food, and are drawn to greasy and protein-rich foods indoors.
- Asian Lady BeetleEasy DIYOrange beetles resembling ladybugs that congregate on sunny exterior walls in fall before squeezing indoors to overwinter in large numbers.
- Carpet BeetleEasy DIYSmall, oval beetles whose larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, fur, and feathers, often damaging carpets, upholstery, and stored clothing.
- Click BeetleEasy DIYElongated brown-black beetles known for the audible clicking sound they make to flip upright when placed on their backs; larvae (wireworms) can damage garden roots.
- Darkling BeetleEasy DIYDark, hard-shelled beetles often found in stored grain, damp basements, or around outdoor lighting at night.
- Japanese BeetleEasy DIYMetallic green-and-copper beetles that feed heavily on garden plants and turf, with root-feeding grub larvae that damage lawns.
- Old House BorerPro RequiredA long-horned wood-boring beetle whose larvae tunnel extensively through structural softwood, sometimes producing an audible chewing sound within walls.
- Pantry WeevilEasy DIYSmall reddish-brown beetles with a distinctive snout that infest stored grains, flour, rice, and pasta, usually arriving in already-infested packaged food.
- Powderpost BeetlePro RequiredSmall wood-boring beetles whose larvae tunnel through seasoned hardwood, leaving fine, flour-like powder (frass) and tiny round exit holes.
- American CockroachPossible DIYThe largest common house cockroach, reddish-brown with a pale figure-8 marking behind the head, often found in basements, sewers, and around plumbing.
- Brown-Banded CockroachPossible DIYSmall light brown roaches with two lighter bands across the wings, notable for preferring warmer, drier areas than other roaches — often found in bedrooms and living rooms, not just kitchens.
- German CockroachPro RecommendedLight brown roaches, about 1/2 to 5/8 inch, with two dark parallel stripes behind the head. The most common indoor cockroach, favoring warm, humid areas near kitchens and bathrooms, and reproducing quickly.
- Oriental CockroachPossible DIYShiny black-brown roaches, sometimes called 'water bugs,' that prefer cool, damp areas like drains, basements, and crawl spaces, and emit a strong musty odor in heavy infestations.
- Smoky Brown CockroachPossible DIYLarge, uniformly dark mahogany roaches that thrive outdoors in mulch and leaf litter in warm climates, entering homes through gaps and vents.
- Cat FleaPossible DIYSmall, dark, wingless jumping insects, the most common flea species infesting both cats and dogs, that lay eggs in carpet, bedding, and yards.
- Dog FleaPossible DIYNearly identical in appearance to the cat flea, this flea species also infests dogs and can bite humans, thriving in warm, humid conditions.
- Cluster FlyEasy DIYSlow-moving, dark gray flies that seek shelter indoors in large numbers in fall, clustering in attics and wall voids to overwinter.
- Drain FlyEasy DIYSmall, fuzzy moth-like flies that breed in the gelatinous film inside drains, often signaling buildup that needs cleaning rather than a pesticide treatment.
- Fruit FlyEasy DIYTiny tan flies with red eyes that breed explosively in overripe produce, drains, and fermenting liquids — often traced to a single forgotten piece of fruit.
- Fungus GnatEasy DIYSmall dark gnats that breed in overly moist potting soil, feeding on fungus and organic matter around plant roots.
- Horse FlyEasy DIYLarge, fast-flying flies with a painful bite, most active outdoors near standing water in summer.
- House FlyEasy DIYGray flies with four dark stripes on the thorax that breed in garbage, manure, and decaying organic matter, and can mechanically spread bacteria between surfaces.
- Asian Tiger MosquitoEasy DIYAggressive daytime-biting mosquitoes with distinctive black-and-white striped legs, breeding in small containers of standing water around the yard.
- House MosquitoEasy DIYCommon brown mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water — clogged gutters, bird baths, old tires — and are the primary vector for West Nile virus in the US.
- Yellow Fever MosquitoEasy DIYDark mosquitoes with white lyre-shaped markings on the thorax, a known vector for dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, most common in warmer southern states.
- Clothes MothEasy DIYSmall, pale gold moths whose larvae feed on natural fibers — wool, silk, fur — often damaging stored clothing in dark, undisturbed closets.
- Pantry MothEasy DIYSmall moths with reddish-brown wing tips whose larvae infest stored dry goods like grains, cereal, and pet food, leaving fine silk webbing in the product.
- Spongy MothPossible DIYAn invasive moth whose caterpillars can defoliate large numbers of hardwood trees during outbreak years; egg masses are tan, fuzzy, and found on tree trunks and outdoor surfaces.
- BatPro RequiredSmall flying mammals that roost in attics, chimneys, and wall voids in colonies, entering through gaps as small as 3/8 inch. Exclusion work is typically timed outside maternity season to avoid trapping pups.
- ChipmunkPossible DIYSmall striped rodents that burrow extensively under patios, foundations, and retaining walls, sometimes undermining structural stability over time.
- Garter SnakeEasy DIYCommon, non-venomous, striped snakes that shelter under debris, mulch, and foundations, and are typically more of a nuisance presence than a genuine hazard.
- GroundhogPro RecommendedLarge, stocky rodents (also called woodchucks) that dig extensive burrow systems under sheds, decks, and foundations, and feed heavily on garden vegetation.
- MolePossible DIYSmall, velvety-furred burrowing mammals with paddle-like front feet that create raised surface tunnels and volcano-shaped mounds while feeding on grubs and earthworms in lawns.
- OpossumPro RecommendedNorth America's only marsupial — gray, cat-sized, with a hairless prehensile tail — that often dens under porches, sheds, and decks.
- PigeonPossible DIYGray birds that roost and nest on ledges, rooftops, and building overhangs in urban areas, with droppings that can damage surfaces and pose a sanitation concern.
- RaccoonPro RequiredGray-brown mammals with a distinctive black facial mask and ringed tail, known for raiding garbage and denning in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, especially females seeking a spot to raise young.
- SkunkPro RecommendedBlack-and-white striped mammals known for spraying a strong-smelling defensive musk, that dig burrows under porches, sheds, and foundations.
- StarlingPossible DIYGlossy black birds with iridescent sheen that nest in large, noisy colonies in vents, eaves, and signage, often displacing native cavity-nesting birds.
- AphidEasy DIYTiny soft-bodied insects, often green or black, that cluster on new plant growth to feed on sap and excrete sticky honeydew that attracts ants and sooty mold.
- Assassin BugEasy DIYPredatory true bugs with a curved, piercing mouthpart used to feed on other insects; while beneficial in gardens, some species can deliver a painful bite if handled.
- Boxelder BugEasy DIYBlack bugs with distinctive red-orange wing markings that congregate in large numbers on sunny walls near boxelder and maple trees in fall.
- Cave CricketEasy DIYAlso called camel crickets — humpbacked, wingless (silent) crickets with very long legs, commonly found in damp basements, crawl spaces, and garages.
- Chinch BugEasy DIYSmall black-and-white true bugs that feed on grass at the soil line, causing irregular yellow-brown patches in lawns that are often mistaken for drought stress.
- EarwigEasy DIYReddish-brown insects with prominent pincers (cerci) at the rear of the abdomen, active at night and found in damp mulch, under debris, and occasionally indoors.
- FirebratEasy DIYClose relatives of silverfish with mottled gray-brown coloring, preferring warmer areas near furnaces, ovens, and attics rather than cool basements.
- House CentipedeEasy DIYFast-moving, long-legged arthropods with a yellowish-gray banded body, found in damp areas like basements and bathrooms — actually beneficial predators of other household insects.
- House CricketEasy DIYLight brown crickets known for their loud chirping, drawn indoors by warmth and light, and capable of damaging fabric and paper when populations are high.
- Kissing BugEasy DIYDark, flat-bodied bugs with red-orange markings on the abdomen edge that feed on blood at night, most concerning as a rare carrier of Chagas disease in southern states.
- MealybugEasy DIYSmall, soft insects covered in a white, cottony wax coating, clustering in leaf joints and undersides where they feed on plant sap.
- MillipedeEasy DIYCylindrical, dark-colored arthropods with two pairs of legs per body segment that curl into a spiral when disturbed, common in mulch and moist soil, occasionally wandering indoors after heavy rain.
- PillbugEasy DIYGray, segmented crustaceans (not insects) that roll into a tight ball when disturbed, living in moist soil, mulch, and under debris outdoors.
- Scale InsectEasy DIYSmall, immobile insects that attach to stems and leaves under a hard or waxy shell-like covering, weakening plants over time by feeding on sap.
- SilverfishEasy DIYWingless, silvery, carrot-shaped insects with a fast, fish-like wiggle, found in damp, dark areas like basements and bathrooms, feeding on paper, glue, and starches.
- SowbugEasy DIYSimilar to pillbugs but unable to roll into a full ball, these gray crustaceans thrive in damp mulch, under stones, and near foundations with excess moisture.
- Spider MiteEasy DIYMicroscopic arachnids that cause fine speckled yellowing on leaves and produce delicate webbing on plants during hot, dry conditions.
- Squash BugEasy DIYFlat, brown-gray true bugs that feed on squash and pumpkin vines, causing wilting, and lay distinctive clusters of bronze eggs on the underside of leaves.
- Stink BugEasy DIYShield-shaped brown bugs that release a pungent odor when disturbed or crushed, and gather on sunny exterior walls in fall seeking a way indoors to overwinter.
- WhiteflyEasy DIYTiny white, moth-like insects that cluster on the underside of leaves, flying up in a small cloud when disturbed, and weakening plants by feeding on sap.
- Deer MousePro RecommendedBi-colored rodents with white undersides and brown backs, common in rural and wooded areas, and a known carrier of hantavirus — droppings should be handled with care.
- Eastern Gray SquirrelPro RecommendedCommon gray tree squirrels that can chew into attics and soffits to nest, causing damage to insulation and wiring. Most active seeking shelter in fall.
- House MousePossible DIYSmall gray-brown rodents, 2.5 to 3.75 inches long (plus tail), that can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime. Signs include small dark droppings, gnaw marks, and greasy rub marks along walls.
- Norway RatPro RecommendedLarge, heavy-bodied rats, brown-gray, that burrow at ground level near foundations, woodpiles, and garbage areas, and are strong swimmers often found near sewers and waterways.
- Roof RatPro RecommendedSlender, agile rats, black to brown, that are excellent climbers and prefer nesting in attics, trees, and upper parts of structures rather than at ground level.
- VolePossible DIYSmall, stocky rodents with short tails that create visible surface runways in lawns and gardens by chewing grass and feeding on roots and bulbs.
- American House SpiderEasy DIYSmall brown spiders with a bulbous, mottled abdomen that build messy, irregular cobwebs in corners, closets, and basements. Common and largely harmless indoor spiders.
- Black Widow SpiderPro RecommendedShiny black spiders with a signature red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. They build irregular, tangled webs in dark, sheltered spots like woodpiles, garages, and sheds. Their venomous bite can cause serious symptoms and warrants medical attention.
- Brown Recluse SpiderPro RecommendedLight to dark brown spiders with a distinctive dark violin-shaped marking on the top of the head area and six eyes (most spiders have eight). They favor dark, undisturbed spaces like closets, boxes, and basements, and their bite can cause a serious wound requiring medical attention.
- Cellar SpiderEasy DIYAlso called 'daddy long legs spiders' — pale, long-legged spiders with small bodies that build loose, tangled webs in damp, dark areas like basements and crawl spaces.
- Grass SpiderEasy DIYBrown, striped spiders that build flat, funnel-shaped webs in grass, shrubs, and along foundations, retreating into a funnel when disturbed.
- Hobo SpiderEasy DIYBrown, fast-running spiders with a chevron pattern on the abdomen that build funnel-shaped webs at ground level, often near foundations. Most common in the Pacific Northwest.
- Jumping SpiderEasy DIYCompact, fuzzy spiders with large forward-facing eyes and excellent vision, known for stalking prey and jumping rather than building webs. Harmless but can startle homeowners with sudden movement.
- Orb Weaver SpiderEasy DIYLarge, often colorful spiders that build the classic large, circular, spiral webs outdoors between structures, plants, and eaves — most noticeable in late summer and fall.
- Wolf SpiderEasy DIYLarge, hairy, brown-and-gray mottled spiders that hunt on the ground rather than spinning webs. Often mistaken for tarantulas, they wander indoors especially in fall while seeking shelter.
- Yellow Sac SpiderEasy DIYPale yellow to greenish spiders that build small silk sacs in corners of ceilings and walls where they rest during the day. Their bite is more likely than most house spiders to cause a reaction.
- Dampwood TermitePro RequiredLarger termites that infest moisture-damaged or decaying wood, often signaling an underlying leak or moisture problem near the infestation site.
- Drywood TermitePro RequiredTermites that infest dry wood directly (no soil contact needed), leaving behind distinctive small, hard, pellet-shaped droppings (frass) near infested wood.
- Eastern Subterranean TermitePro RequiredCream-colored workers that live in underground colonies and build visible mud tubes to travel between soil and wood. Winged swarmers emerging in spring are often the first visible sign of infestation.
- Formosan TermitePro RequiredAn aggressive, fast-reproducing subterranean termite species capable of building large above-ground 'carton' nests, and causing severe structural damage quickly.
- American Dog TickPossible DIYBrown ticks with mottled white-gray markings on the back, common in grassy and wooded areas, and a known vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Brown Dog TickPossible DIYUniformly reddish-brown ticks that can complete their entire life cycle indoors, making them capable of infesting homes and kennels even without outdoor exposure.
- Deer TickPossible DIYAlso called the blacklegged tick — small, reddish-brown, and the primary carrier of Lyme disease in the US. Most active in wooded, leafy edge habitats.
- Lone Star TickPossible DIYReddish-brown ticks identifiable by a single white spot on the female's back, aggressive in seeking hosts, and associated with alpha-gal (red meat) allergy syndrome.
- Bald-Faced HornetPro RecommendedBlack wasps with white/ivory facial markings that build large, enclosed, gray papery nests high in trees or on structures. Defends the nest aggressively when approached.
- Carpenter BeePossible DIYLarge, robust bees resembling bumblebees but with a shiny, hairless black abdomen. Females bore perfectly round 1/2-inch holes into untreated wood — eaves, decks, fences — to build nesting galleries.
- Cicada Killer WaspEasy DIYVery large solitary wasps, black and yellow, that dig burrows in sandy or bare soil and hunt cicadas to provision their nests. Males are territorial but harmless; females rarely sting unless handled.
- European HornetPro RecommendedThe largest true hornet in the US, brown and yellow with a reddish head, that nests in hollow trees or wall voids and is attracted to lights at night.
- Honey BeePro RequiredGolden-brown, fuzzy bees that live in large colonies and occasionally swarm or establish hives in wall voids and chimneys. Because they're vital pollinators, live removal/relocation is generally preferred over extermination.
- Mud Dauber WaspEasy DIYSlender, non-aggressive wasps that build tube-shaped mud nests on walls, eaves, and ceilings, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders for their larvae.
- Paper WaspPossible DIYSlender wasps with long legs that build open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, railings, and other overhangs. Generally less aggressive than yellowjackets unless the nest is disturbed.
- YellowjacketPro RecommendedBlack-and-yellow banded wasps that nest in the ground, wall voids, or hollow trees, and become aggressive in late summer/fall as colonies peak and food sources dwindle.