Pest Library

Ants are social insects that live in highly organized colonies. With over 12,000 known species worldwide, they are among the most common household pests, invading homes in search of food, water, and shelter.

Aquatic insects spend all or part of their lives in or near water. While most are harmless and even beneficial to ecosystems, some can become nuisances around pools, ponds, and homes near water sources. These insects range from graceful mayflies to intimidating giant water bugs.

Assassin bugs are predatory insects that hunt other bugs using their sharp beak to inject venom. They can deliver painful defensive bites to humans if handled.

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood at night while people sleep. They hide in mattress seams, furniture cracks, and other dark spaces near beds.

When bees nest too close to homes or in high-traffic areas, they can become a concern. Learn how to identify different bee species and understand the treatment options available for your situation.

Carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects whose larvae cause significant damage to carpets, clothing, upholstery, and other natural fiber materials in homes.

House centipedes are fast-moving predatory arthropods commonly found in damp, dark areas of homes like basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. They have numerous long legs and venomous claws used to capture insect prey.

Cicadas are large, noisy insects known for their distinctive buzzing calls and periodic mass emergences that can last several weeks.

Cockroaches are resilient, nocturnal insects that thrive in warm, humid environments. As one of the most common household pests, they contaminate food, spread bacteria, and trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.

Crickets are jumping insects known for their distinctive chirping sounds. While most species are harmless outdoor dwellers, some can become household pests, invading basements and garages or causing significant damage to lawns and landscaping.

Earwigs are flat, reddish-brown insects with curved pincers at the end of their body. They are active at night, love damp spots, and often get into homes through cracks and gaps.

Fleas are small, wingless parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. The cat flea is the most common species found infesting homes, pets, and carpets throughout North America.

Flies are two-winged insects that can become household nuisances. Many species breed in decaying organic matter, drains, and moist environments around homes.

Garden pests include a variety of sap-sucking insects that damage ornamental plants, vegetables, and fruit trees. From tiny aphids to spotted lanternflies, these pests weaken plants by feeding on their fluids and can transmit plant diseases.

Gnats are small, flying insects that often appear in clouds near moist environments. These tiny pests can be a nuisance in homes, particularly around houseplants, drains, and areas with decaying organic matter.

Grasshoppers are jumping insects known for their powerful hind legs and ability to damage gardens and crops. These herbivores are most active during warm summer months.

Lace bugs are small, delicate insects named for the lace-like pattern on their wings and thorax. They are common pests of ornamental trees and shrubs, causing distinctive stippled damage to leaves that can make plants unsightly and stressed.

Millipedes are long, worm-like bugs with many legs. They move slowly and like damp places with rotting leaves and mulch.

Mites are tiny pests that can enter homes in large numbers during spring and fall. Most house mites do not bite, but they can be a bother and may cause allergies.

Moles are small, burrowing mammals known for their velvety fur and powerful digging claws. While they help aerate soil and eat grubs, their tunneling causes significant damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping, making them unwelcome visitors for most homeowners.

Tiny, blood-feeding insects that spread disease and disrupt outdoor activities.

Moths are fabric and food pests that damage clothing, carpets, and stored pantry goods. The larvae cause the damage by feeding on natural fibers like wool and silk or stored grains and dried foods.

Beyond common household pests, many occasional invaders can find their way into homes. From stink bugs to earwigs, these pests may not pose major threats but can be a nuisance when they appear in large numbers.

Pantry pests are insects that infest stored food products including flour, grains, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Common pantry pests include Indian meal moths, flour beetles, grain beetles, and weevils.

Pillbugs, also known as roly-polies or potato bugs, are small gray crustaceans that curl into a tight ball when disturbed. They thrive in damp environments and often enter homes seeking moisture.

Plant bugs are a diverse group of true bugs that feed on plants by piercing tissues and sucking out fluids. While some are beneficial predators, many species are significant agricultural and garden pests that can damage ornamental plants, vegetables, and fruit trees.

Mice and rats are common household pests. They ruin food, spread germs, chew through wires, and breed fast. If you spot signs of rodents, getting help quickly is key.

Silverfish are small, wingless insects with a silvery-blue color and fish-like movements. They live in dark, humid areas and can damage books, paper, fabrics, and wallpaper.

Slugs are soft-bodied mollusks without shells that feed on plants and thrive in moist environments, often damaging gardens and occasionally entering homes.

Spiders can be difficult to control due to their varied entry points and behaviors. Most spiders are harmless predators that feed on insects, but some species like black widows and brown recluses can deliver venomous bites.

Stink bugs invade homes in large numbers during the fall and release a foul odor when disturbed.

Termites can hide in your home for years and cause costly damage. Eastern subterranean termites are the most common wood-destroying bugs in the United States.

Ticks are small blood-feeding parasites that spread diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. The black-legged tick (deer tick) is the main carrier of Lyme disease in Northern Virginia.

Wasps are stinging insects known for their aggressive defense of nests. Wasps near homes pose a significant sting risk, especially for those with allergies.

Wood boring beetles are a group of insects whose larvae tunnel through and damage structural wood, furniture, and hardwood flooring in homes across North America.