Pest Identification Library
Understanding a pest's signs, habits, and habitat is the first step in effective management. This library helps you recognize possibilities and make informed decisions about your next steps.
Confirm Before You Treat
This library is a decision-support tool to help consumers recognize signs and possibilities. It does not confirm an infestation, identify a specimen with certainty, diagnose a bite or rash, or substitute for an on-site professional inspection. Treatment should always be based on confirmed identification.
Common Pest Profiles
Learn about the biology, behavior, and signs of these common pests to help guide your prevention and management decisions.
Termites
Learn to identify termite signs, understand the difference between castes and groups, and explore professional structural protection methods.
Learn More
Rodents
Identify signs of mice and rats, learn exclusion techniques, and understand the steps for proper contamination cleanup and control.
Learn More
Bed Bugs
Understand where bed bugs hide, why bites alone are not proof, and what professional treatment and preparation entail.
Learn More
Cockroaches
Identify common cockroach species, understand the health risks of allergens, and explore sanitation and targeted baiting strategies.
Learn More
Ants
Identify ant species, understand the difference between ants and termites, and learn effective nesting and trailing management.
Learn More
Mosquitoes
Understand mosquito breeding habitats, source reduction strategies, and the difference between public health programs and private control.
Learn MoreSpiders
Learn to distinguish common spiders, understand medical guardrails regarding bites, and discover habitat reduction strategies.
Learn MoreBrowse by Consumer Problem
Pests are often grouped by the specific challenges or concerns they pose to properties and residents.
Structural / Property Concerns
Pests that can cause physical damage to buildings, gnaw through materials, or excavate wood.
- Termites: Focus on moisture, wood damage, and mud tubes.
- Rodents: Focus on exclusion, gnawing, and contamination.
Indoor Crawling Pests
Common household invaders where sanitation and species-specific baits are often required.
- Cockroaches: Identification is crucial for locating hidden harborage and targeting treatment.
- Ants: Behavior varies widely; trails and nest locations guide management.
Biting Pests
Insects that feed on blood. Note that bites alone are not sufficient to confirm a specific pest.
- Bed Bugs: Focus on hitchhiking mechanisms and inspecting sleeping areas.
- Mosquitoes: Focus on reducing standing water and source reduction.
Spiders / Lookalikes
Often a nuisance, but correct identification is critical before assuming medical danger.
- Spiders: Focus on web locations, habitat reduction, and proper identification of medically important species.
Connect With Pest-Control Providers Near You
Speak with a participating independent provider serving your area to get details, estimates, and schedule an inspection.