What Are the Types of Pests Found in Homes?

There are over 10 quintillions (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) insects on Earth at any given time. In other words, 1.4 billion insects per person. Don’t worry; there are only a few dozen that might end up crawling into your home.

Here are common types of pests that might invade your household. Knowing how to recognize these pests will ensure you call for help before the infestation spreads.

Learn more about common household pests in this guide today. 

Ants

If you tend to leave food out or neglect to take out the trash right away, ants could march right into your home. Ants are one of the most common household pests homeowners encounter. 

They live in colonies that consist of thousands of members. Chances are, if you see one ant, a few more are right behind it. It’s important to take care of an ant infiltration as soon as possible.

There are different species of ants that might infiltrate your home, including:

• Garden ants
• Black house ants
• Argentine ants
• Carpenter ants

As with many of the household pests mentioned below, the species will vary based on where you’re located.

For example, parts of the South are home to red imported fire ants. Pest control companies consider them one of the top structural pests homeowners encounter. In the Pacific Northwest, however, carpenter ants are more common.

Ants are attracted to sweet fragrances. They’ll eat anything from candy to meat. Clean up any messes or food spills as soon as possible to avoid attracting them inside. 

Termites

Termites are some of the most destructive (and therefore irritating) pests you might encounter as a homeowner. 

Termites aid in the ecological cycle of forests. Unfortunately, these hungry critters could destroy your home if left unattended for too long. Don’t mistake termites for ants. 

In fact, they could cause thousands of dollars in damage if you don’t know how to spot the warning signs that there are termites in your home.

They’re more active in warm environments. You might have termites if you have:

• Mud tubes
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Cracked paint

Termites are called silent destroyers. They tend to hide while secretly causing damage to your home. They thrive in different climates and eat different types of food, depending on where you live. 

Termites need four things to survive: optimal temperature, shelter, moisture, and food.

These social insects live in cooperative groups and divide their work between specialized members.

If you’re not sure if termites have infiltrated your home, call for help right away.  

Rodents

Some of the most common household rodents include the Norway rat, house mouse, and roof rat. 

These warm-blooded mammals have oversized front teeth that are great for chewing. They might cause damage to a variety of items in your home, leaving droppings and damage in their wake. 

Leaving rodents in your home could become hazardous to your help. They can also compromise the integrity of your home over time. Unfortunately, these household pests also multiply quickly.

Signs of rodents include:

• Nesting materials (fabric, shredded paper, etc.)
• Holes chewed through the walls and floors
• Signs of chewing on food packages
• Rodent droppings around food

If you believe you have a rat or mouse problem, call for a rodent removal service right away. 

Cockroaches

These little creatures are stubborn. They tend to seek water more than food. Make sure you don’t leave any standing water in or around your home.

Cockroaches can thrive in all environments. Whether you live in the Arctic or desert, they’re survivors. Cockroaches prefer moist, dark spaces, such as behind your sinks, fridge, or stove.

If you see one, there’s a chance more are hiding out of sight. Like rodents, cockroaches carry and spread illnesses. 

Millipedes

Millipedes are brown, nocturnal bugs. They usually live outdoors but can make their way inside by accident or to stay safe during bad weather. 

Millipedes eat decaying wood. You might find them hiding away under objects, including under the couch. 

You might smell a millipede before you see it, as they have a distinctive odor. 

Earwigs

Earwigs don’t crawl into people’s ears at night. They prefer cool, moist hiding spaces. 

They’ll appear flat and brownish-black in color. They have two pairs of wings and a leathery appearance. Not all species fly, however. 

They also have pincers. If you notice earwigs within your home, call for pest control services right away.

Silverfish

Silverfish prefer humid, warm spaces. Once they find a food source, they tend to stay near food. They usually feed on cereal, flour, or other starchy products.

Remember to put all food items away before going to bed at night.

Paper Wasps

There are over 15 species of paper wasps in North America. These wasps make their nests using paper-like materials.

They might make their homes behind your shutters, within outdoor lamps, or under your eaves. Some even hide in playground equipment.

A sting from a wasp can trigger an allergic reaction. If wasps are buzzing around your home, call a pest control company right away. 

Keep These Common Types of Pests Out of Your Home

Don’t let these common types of pests infiltrate your home. Instead, invest in getting rid of pests by calling a pest control company. An experienced team can handle removing pests from your home, so you don’t have to.

With help, you can live in comfort without worrying about household pests.

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