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.

Bees are essential pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystem. While most bees are beneficial and non-aggressive, they can become a concern when nesting too close to homes or in high-traffic areas.

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

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.

Millipedes are elongated, cylindrical arthropods with two pairs of legs per body segment, known for their slow movement and preference for moist, decaying environments like leaf litter and mulch beds.

Mites are tiny arachnids that can invade homes in large numbers, particularly during spring and fall. While most household mites don't bite humans, they can be a nuisance and may trigger allergies.

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

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.

Rodents like mice and rats are among the most problematic household pests. They contaminate food, spread disease, gnaw through wiring and structures, and reproduce rapidly, making professional control essential.

Silverfish are small, wingless insects with a distinctive silvery-blue appearance and fish-like movements. These ancient pests thrive in dark, humid environments and can damage books, paper, fabrics, and wallpaper by feeding on starches and cellulose.

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.

The silent destroyers: Termites can go undetected for years, causing costly damage. Eastern subterranean termites are the most common and economically important wood-destroying insects in the United States.

Ticks are small, blood-feeding arachnid parasites that transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. The black-legged tick (deer tick) is the primary vector of Lyme disease in Northern Virginia.

Wasps are stinging insects known for their aggressive defense of nests. While they provide pest control by hunting other insects, wasps near homes pose a significant sting risk, especially for those with allergies.