Insect library

American cockroach

The largest roach found in homes — reddish-brown and up to two inches long. It prefers warm, damp areas like basements, drains and crawlspaces and can spread bacteria across surfaces.

German cockroach

A small, fast-breeding roach with two dark stripes behind the head. It favors kitchens and bathrooms and is the most common roach in homes and apartments.

Smokybrown cockroach

A glossy, dark mahogany roach common in the humid Southeast. It loses moisture quickly, so it nests near gutters, mulch and attics before moving indoors.

Oriental cockroach

A dark, shiny 'water bug' that prefers cool, damp areas like drains, basements and under sinks. It gives off a strong, musty odor.

Silverfish

A wingless, silvery insect with a fish-like wriggle. It feeds on starches, paper and fabric, thriving in humid closets, bathrooms and storage boxes.

Firebrat

A close cousin of the silverfish that prefers hot, humid spots near furnaces, water heaters and ovens. It also feeds on paper, glue and starches.

Earwig

Recognized by the pincers at the rear of its body, this nocturnal insect hides in damp mulch and under objects, occasionally wandering indoors.

House cricket

A light brown cricket known for its persistent chirping. It enters homes in cooler weather and may chew on fabrics and paper.

Camel cricket

A humpbacked, wingless 'cave cricket' that jumps when startled. It favors damp basements, garages and crawlspaces and does not chirp.

Odorous house ant

A small dark ant that gives off a rotten-coconut smell when crushed. It trails along counters and baseboards in search of sweets.

Argentine ant

A light to dark brown ant that forms massive, cooperating super-colonies, producing huge trails that are difficult to control without a targeted plan.

Carpenter ant

One of the largest household ants, it excavates galleries in moist or damaged wood. While it doesn't eat wood, nests can weaken structures over time.

Little black ant

A tiny, shiny black ant that nests in woodwork, masonry and soil. Colonies are large and quick to send trails indoors for food.

Pavement ant

A brown-black ant that nests under sidewalks, driveways and foundations, leaving small soil piles. It readily forages indoors for almost any food.

Red imported fire ant

An aggressive reddish ant that builds dome-shaped mounds and delivers a painful, stinging bite. Colonies in the yard pose a real risk to people and pets.

Paper wasp

Builds open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves and railings. It's less aggressive than hornets but will sting to defend its nest.

Yellowjacket

A fast, aggressive wasp that nests in the ground or wall voids. It's drawn to food and drinks and can sting repeatedly when threatened.

Bald-faced hornet

A black-and-white relative of the yellowjacket that builds large, gray papery nests in trees and on structures. It defends its nest aggressively.

European hornet

A large brown-and-yellow hornet that nests in hollow trees and wall voids. It's active at night and attracted to lights.

Carpenter bee

A large bee resembling a bumblebee with a shiny black abdomen. It bores round holes into wood trim, decks and fascia to nest.

Honey bee

An important pollinator that occasionally nests in wall voids and chimneys. We recommend relocation by a beekeeper whenever possible.

Boxelder bug

A black bug with red markings that gathers on warm walls in fall and slips inside to overwinter. It's a nuisance but harmless.

Brown marmorated stink bug

A shield-shaped bug that releases a foul odor when crushed. It enters homes in large numbers as temperatures drop.

Kudzu bug

A small olive-green bug common across the Southeast. It congregates on light-colored surfaces and seeks shelter indoors in cooler weather.

Asian lady beetle

A look-alike of the native ladybug that swarms homes in fall. It can bite and leaves yellow stains when disturbed.

Millipede

A slow, many-legged arthropod that coils when threatened. It lives in damp mulch and soil and wanders indoors during wet weather.

Centipede

A fast, flattened predator with one pair of legs per segment. It hunts other insects in damp areas and can deliver a mild bite.

Wolf spider

A large, fast, ground-hunting spider that doesn't build a web. It's intimidating but generally harmless and helps control other pests.

House spider

A small brown spider that spins tangled webs in corners, basements and garages. It's the most common web-builder found indoors.

Cellar spider

A long-legged 'daddy long-legs' spider that builds loose webs in basements and ceiling corners. It's harmless to people.

Jumping spider

A small, compact spider with excellent vision that stalks and pounces on prey. It's curious, harmless and an effective pest hunter.

Black widow spider

A glossy black spider with a red hourglass marking, found in woodpiles, sheds and crawlspaces. Its venomous bite requires medical attention.

Brown recluse spider

A brown spider with a violin-shaped mark that hides in undisturbed storage and clutter. Its bite can cause serious tissue damage, so caution is warranted.

House fly

A common gray fly that breeds in garbage and decaying matter. It can carry bacteria onto food and surfaces.

Fruit fly

A tiny tan fly drawn to ripe and fermenting produce. It breeds rapidly around drains, trash and overripe fruit.

Drain fly

A small, fuzzy moth-like fly that breeds in the organic gunk inside drains and sewers. Cleaning the drain is key to control.

Phorid fly

A humpbacked fly that breeds in decaying matter, drains and even sewage leaks. Its presence can signal a hidden moisture or sanitation problem.

Fungus gnat

A tiny dark gnat that breeds in moist potting soil and overwatered houseplants. Larvae feed on roots and organic matter.

Mosquito

A biting insect that breeds in standing water and can transmit disease. Barrier treatments and removing water sources reduce populations.

Indianmeal moth

The most common pantry moth, it infests grains, cereal, nuts and pet food. Larvae spin silk webbing inside packaging.

Clothes moth

A small moth whose larvae feed on wool, fur and natural fabrics, leaving holes in stored clothing and rugs.

Cigarette beetle

A tiny rounded beetle that infests dried goods, spices, tobacco and pet food. Adults fly and are attracted to light.

Drugstore beetle

A close relative of the cigarette beetle that attacks a wide range of stored foods, spices and even paper products.

Sawtoothed grain beetle

A slender brown beetle with saw-like edges on its thorax. It infests flour, cereal, dried fruit and other pantry staples.

Powderpost beetle

A small beetle whose larvae bore through hardwood, leaving fine, powdery dust and tiny exit holes in flooring and furniture.

Old house borer

A wood-boring beetle that attacks seasoned softwood structural timbers. Larvae can tunnel for years, sometimes making audible clicking sounds.

Wood-boring beetle

A general group of beetles whose larvae develop inside wood, weakening beams, trim and furniture as they tunnel and emerge.

Flea

A tiny biting insect that infests pets and homes. It breeds quickly in carpet, bedding and yards, requiring both indoor and outdoor treatment.

Tick

A blood-feeding arachnid that waits in tall grass and brush. It can transmit disease to people and pets, so yard treatment matters.

Chigger

A nearly invisible mite larva that causes intensely itchy welts. It's common in grassy, weedy areas during warm months.

Bagworm

A caterpillar that builds a spindle-shaped bag of plant debris on evergreens and shrubs, defoliating them if left unchecked.

Tent caterpillar

A caterpillar that spins silken tents in the forks of trees and feeds on leaves, defoliating ornamental and fruit trees.