A pest infestation can disrupt your home, harm your health, and even damage your property. Knowing how to recognize the most common household pests is the first step toward keeping them under control. Here’s a guide to the top 10 most common pests found in homes and the clues to watch for to identify them:
1. Ants
What to Look For:
Small, segmented insects with elbowed antennae and narrow waists. They may be black, brown, or red and are often spotted marching in lines towards food scraps or sugary spills, especially in kitchens and pantries. Look for ant trails and small piles of dirt (from nesting) near windows, walls, or foundation cracks.
2. Cockroaches
What to Look For:
Flattened, oval-shaped insects, usually brown or black, often with a shiny or oily sheen. Common species, such as the German and American cockroaches, are fast-moving and hide in dark, moist areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, and under appliances. Signs include droppings (resembling coffee grounds), egg cases, and an unpleasant musty odour.
3. Rodents (Mice and Rats)
What to Look For:
Rodents have furry bodies, long tails, and large incisors, commonly referred to as front teeth. Mice tend to be smaller, with pointed noses and big ears, while rats are larger, with proportionate features. Look for gnaw marks, droppings (pellet-shaped for mice, capsule-shaped for rats), chewed packaging, greasy tracks along walls, and the sound of scurrying at night.
4. Spiders
What to Look For:
Eight-legged arachnids that come in a range of sizes and colours. Most household spiders are harmless, but some (like the black widow or brown recluse) can pose risks. Identify them by their webs in corners, window frames, basements, or garages. Some species spin messy, irregular webs, while others make funnel-like or orb webs.
5. Flies
What to Look For:
Flies have a single pair of wings and are usually grey or black. The most common are house flies, fruit flies (tiny, red-eyed), and drain flies (fuzzy, moth-like appearance). They’re active during the day and hover around food, garbage, drains, or decaying organic material. Spotting larvae (maggots) is a sure sign of a breeding problem.
6. Termites
What to Look For:
Tiny, pale insects are known for destroying wood from the inside out. Look for discarded wings near windowsills, mud tubes along walls or foundations, hollow-sounding wood, or blistered paint. Infestations often go undetected until substantial damage has occurred. Professional companies such as Elite1 Termite Control often offer child- and pet-safe plans and can provide ongoing advice to help you keep your home termite-free with minimal risk.
7. Bed Bugs
What to Look For:
Small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They hide in mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and cracks near sleeping areas. Signs include itchy bites (often in lines or clusters), rusty stains (from crushed bugs), and tiny dark droppings on bed linens.
8. Fleas
What to Look For:
Tiny, wingless insects with laterally flattened bodies and strong hind legs for jumping. It is commonly found where pets sleep or rest. Signs include pets scratching excessively, small red bites on humans, and flea dirt (tiny black specs) in pet bedding.
9. Silverfish
What to Look For:
Shiny, silver-grey insects with slender, carrot-shaped bodies and three long tail filaments. They are nocturnal and scuttle quickly across floors or walls. Look for them in damp, dark places, such as bathrooms, basements, or attics. Also, watch for yellowish stains or holes in papers, books, and clothing.
10. Mosquitoes
What to Look For:
Slender, long-legged flying insects with long, piercing mouthparts. Typically grey or brown, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. You’ll hear them buzzing and may notice itchy welts from their bites, especially during warm, humid months. Check for larvae (also known as “wrigglers”) in bird baths, buckets, or clogged gutters.
Trusted companies such as Prevent Pests and 911 Home Helps can help guide you every step of the way with professional, family-safe solutions. Put safety first, and enjoy a comfortable, pest-free home.
Conclusion
Recognizing these common pests and the signs of their activity helps you catch infestations early and take prompt action to protect your home. Regular inspections and good sanitation practices are key to keeping these unwanted guests at bay. If you suspect a severe infestation or are unable to identify the pest, consider consulting a professional for accurate identification and tailored treatment options.
