PEST
INDEX

Aphids are primarily active in the spring and autumn and are among one of the most destructive pests on cultivated plants. Although they will not cause direct harm to humans, these small sap-sucking insects can produce large quantities of honeydew, which then turns into a fungus. They will gather in large amounts and suck the nutrient-rich liquids out of plants. Aphids can destroy more than just house plants — they are known to travel in large groups and wreak havoc on farms, trees and gardens.

Ants are small but destructive. Homeowners can get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of ants that can infest your home. They excrete an unpleasant odor and contaminate food often. Not only are they stinky, but they also spread disease. Ants are linked to the spread of salmonella, E. coli, and much more. Carpenter ants are known to damage wood, leading to significant damage if not taken care of in a timely manner.

These insects eventually become moths, but they cause the most harm during their worm-like larvae stage. They are known to consume turf grasses and will feed on vegetables and other plants when grass is unavailable to them. Armyworms travel in large numbers, much like a side-by-side army batallion, destroying lawns in only a few days.

Bagworms are not considered dangerous but can harm the outside and the inside of your home. Outside, they grow and feed on trees, causing plant damage. The larval stage causes most of the damage inside your home, feeding on and damaging fabrics such as rugs, clothing and furniture. While they do not bite humans, they can infest your lawn and home once they begin hatching in late May and early June.

When bed bugs stake their claim on your home, they are relentless. They are focused solely on one victim: you. They feed off human blood while you’re sound asleep. Red, irritated, swollen welts are left on the skin. Sometimes itching can become so severe, an infection could appear.

Known for congregating in large numbers, these bugs can become a nuisance to homeowners during the fall as they search for a warm location to escape from the cold, burrowing in cracks and crevices for insulation. While they will not bite or physically harm humans, they can puncture skin when handled, causing minor irritation and raised skin similar to a mosquito bite. If crushed or squished, they can give off a strong, unpleasant odor, with their fecal matter leaving a reddish-orangish stain, creating discoloration on fabric.

Cockroaches are a common household pest. They feed on practically anything, which in turn makes them unsanitary. They carry bacteria that can contaminate your food. They are known to carry 33 kinds of bacteria and 6 different kinds of parasitic worms.

Dirt Daubers are wasps that build their nests from mud. These insects do not defend their nests and are not aggressive. While this may be the case, they will sting humans or animals if they feel threatened, causing swelling, redness and potentially an allergic reaction at the insertion point. Although they don’t pose an extreme risk, they can be a nuisance when nesting close to a home.

Contrary to their name, earwigs are not known to burrow in someone’s ear while they’re sleeping. These scavengers love dark and moist environments and bury themselves under leaves, debris, mulch, stones and loose tree bark. These insects do not usually bite people or spread infectious diseases, but they can wreak havoc on fruit, gardens and leaves by chewing small ragged holes into the plants. They are nocturnal, so if you see the damage but not the bugs, it could be earwigs.

Fleas are an irritating common parasite that can cause a variety of issues for your pets. Pets that are bitten by fleas suffer from intense itching that can lead to infectious scabs. Fleas can spread tapeworms among pets. If the infestation is severe, fleas will bite humans which creates a health risk.

Gophers are exceptionally well adapted to the underground, allowing them to create a burrow system that can span up to several feet in depth and length, significantly damaging your property. Irrigation pipes, water lines, utility cables and sprinkler systems are just a few underground systems they can destroy. Gophers are active during the spring and fall when the soil is moister and ideal for them to dig.

Grubs, or june bugs, are nocturnal beetles notoriously known for being attracted to bright lights. They spend their nights consuming plants and breeding. They keep to themselves but will destroy gardens by feeding on leaves, leaving holes and making them ragged. These bugs are not interested in people and will not bite, but if they land on you, their legs can slightly pinch your skin.

Unlike other moths attracted to fabric, Indian meal moths are attracted to nuts, seeds, spices, sugar, pasta, bread, pet food and other stored and dried goods. They often make their way into homes through windows and cracks around vents or doors. While they seem harmless, anything edible they encounter will become contaminated. They are also known to have five to six generations a year, making their presence prevalent.

Found beneath porches or in the cracks and holes of rocky structures, kissing bugs are nocturnal animals that feed on blood from animals and people. They are given this name because people often thought they only bit around the mouth or eyes, like a kiss. But they are known to bite more than just the face, including anywhere on the body they can access.

During cooler months, mice often seek indoors for comfort. Mice chew wires, furniture, walls, food, and more. Not only do they pose home damage, but they are also a source of serious illness. Contact with mice feces, saliva, urine, and more can transfer infections and illnesses to humans. Several diseases linked to the parasites mice carry are Lyme disease, plague, and Colorado Tick fever.

These insects are known to feed on plants, humans and animals and will often prey on other insects and other arthropods. They are difficult to see with the naked eye and are notoriously known for infesting your home through cracks or gaps. There are many different types of mites, so bite symptoms will vary. But a common effect of the symptoms is itchiness. Although mites aren’t dangerous, they carry diseases and may pass them to anyone they bite.

Moles are burrowing mammals that love to dig. Although they have poorly developed eyes, their sensitive snouts and long digits allow them to dig tunnels throughout your lawn, destroying plant roots, grass and bulbs. It is often difficult to spot these small creatures, but the telltale sign that moles are active in your yard is the presence of small, raised dirt mounds scatted throughout.

Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as the West Nile virus, Malaria, Yellow fever, Zika virus, and much more. Millions perish to mosquito bites every year. If a person notices a mosquito bite and then experiences flu-like symptoms, they must seek medical attention immediately.

Scale insects are harmless to humans but will cause destruction to your indoor and outdoor plants. They can appear seemingly out of nowhere, but once you learn to look for them, they are everywhere. Whether it was contaminated potting soil or a reused dirty plant pot, scale will find its way to plants, causing your leaves to welt or the death of all or part of the plant.

Classified as arachnids, scorpions are nocturnal pests that prey on insects, including spiders, cockroaches and crickets. They prefer dry and hot habitats and often enter homes through wall voids to take shelter in cooler, moister areas like crawl spaces and attics. Scorpions are known for their stingers. They often strike when threatened or to kill their prey. Many scorpions worldwide produce much more harmful sting reactions, leading to fatality in humans.

During cooler months, mice often seek indoors for comfort. Mice chew wires, furniture, walls, food, and more. Not only do they pose home damage, but they are also a source of serious illness. Contact with mice feces, saliva, urine, and more can transfer infections and illnesses to humans. Several diseases linked to the parasites mice carry are Lyme disease, plague, and Colorado Tick fever.

Spiders are common but can be deadly. More than 40,000 species of spiders have been spotted in the world. The common venomous spiders are the brown recluse, western black widow, armed spider, and much more. If a person is bitten by a venomous spider, they must seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage every year in the United States. They injure living trees, shrubs, insulation, filtration systems, and much more. Often times, people living with termites can undergo allergic reactions. Termite damage can become so extreme the property can be deemed unlivable. They eat away at the inside of the wood in a structure, leaving it tough to determine the extent of the damage done.

There are over 800 species of ticks in the world. There are two families, Ixodidae and Argasidae, that can transmit illness to humans. There are many tick-borne diseases that are affecting humans worldwide. Common diseases that ticks can spread are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks secrete saliva with anesthetic properties so the person or animal won’t feel the tick attach itself.

There are over 7,000 wasp species. A good majority are parasitoids, which means they have young that eat insects or spiders. They only feed on sugars, which is why they are attracted to areas heavily populated with humans and will build their nests close to these areas. While they don’t feed on humans, they often deem them a threat and strike with their long stingers, creating pain and swelling at the insertion point and potentially an extreme allergic reaction.