Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that there is an astounding amount of insect diversity, even within those groups known to be pests or associated with humans, and it often takes an expert to identify insects and their kin to species. The list that follows focuses primarily on household pests and is by no means a comprehensive one. If you are unsure what you have please contact a professional. EGSA offers a free insect identification service. If you do not see your pest insect in the list below or are unsure of its identification, feel free to contact us with a picture and we will try to be of assistance. Additionally, please be aware that with few exceptions, it is nearly impossible identify a pest species based solely on pictures of bites with a high degree of certainty.
1. House centipedes
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try get rid of them myself? No (not worth the effort)
House centipedes are an introduced species of arthropod that commonly inhabit houses. While some find their appearance unsettling, they are harmless to people and can actually be considered beneficial because they prey on other arthropods such as flies and spiders.
2. Bed Bugs
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? Yes
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? No, contact a professional exterminator
Bed bugs are blood sucking insects that are associated with humans and their dwellings. They are notoriously hard to get rid of, especially now that they have developed immunities to certain insecticides, and should be dealt with by an extermination professional. Evidence of a potential bed bug infestation include small stains on sheets comprising digested (usually black) blood, bite marks appearing in rows around the upper torso, and the exuviae (shed exoskeletons) of nymph stages.
3. Fruit Flies
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Yes
Fruit flies, or vinegar flies, are tiny detritivores that often feed on fermenting fruit in households. While sometimes annoying, they are easy to get rid of: simply remove any fruit from the house or store it in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Adults can also be removed using fly paper.
4. Stink Bugs
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Yes
Stink bugs are a group of species belonging to the family Pentatomidae. All stink bugs possess an odor gland that releases a foul smelling substance when the insect is disturbed. Many will overwinter in large masses and often enter houses to do so. To remove them, it’s often easiest to simply vacuum them up and dispose of the bag. These insects are sometimes confused with bed bugs.
5. Indian Meal Moths
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Yes
Indian meal moths are grain pests that commonly infest household pantries. Older larvae are often noticed crawling on the walls and ceilings of infected houses looking for places to spin their cocoon, and adult moths will fly around the house at night. These pests can be removed by freezing or disposing of all grains, seeds, and pet food in the house, storing all subsequent food in airtight containers, and setting up fly paper to remove the adults.
6. Ants
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? Possibly (if they are carpenter ants and the actual nest is within the house)
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Possibly (depending on species and nest location)
Ants are a highly diverse group of insects, and some are known to commonly infest houses. The easiest way to remove ants is to seal away any openly available food sources, keep kitchen areas clean, and provide the ants with specially designed insecticides available at most general stores to kill the brood and queen. Ant infestations are normally not serious; however, prolonged structural damage inflicted by carpenter ants can cause serious problems to homes. If you are unsure of the ant’s species it is best to contact a professional.
7. Spiders
a. Are they dangerous? Rarely (only two groups in the US are of medical significance to humans)
b. Are they a significant pest? No (usually beneficial as they prey on other arthropod pest)
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Possibly (depends on species and number)
Despite their reputation, most spiders are harmless and should be of no concern to home owners. However, some species, such as the brown recluse, have a nasty bite that can harm humans. Even then these species prefer to hide and will only bite if threatened. These medically important spiders rarely reach high enough densities in houses to warrant dealing with the problem, but brown recluses have been known to reach fairly high numbers in certain regions of the US. If you think you have a brown recluse infestation that puts you or your family at risk, contact an exterminator.
8. Drain Flies
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Yes
Drain flies are common around many bathrooms and kitchen sinks. The larvae feed on bacteria that grows inside drains, while the adults are harmless and only alive for a short period of time for breeding. Larvae are able to essentially hold their breath, making the use of drain cleaners an ineffective method of killing the larvae. Drain flies rarely reach a high enough density to become a nuisance, but if they do cleaning and maintaining drains in the house is the best way to get rid of them.
9. Cockroaches
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? Yes
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? No
While the vast majority of cockroaches are harmless and do not associate with humans, there are some that can become serious structural pests. In high enough densities these roaches can spread bacteria from one surface to another (garbage to dishes for example) and trigger asthma attacks. Keeping dwellings clean and free of easily accessed food can help reduce cockroach numbers, but an exterminator should be contacted if the infestation is severe enough.
10. Carpet Beetles
a. Are they dangerous? No
b. Are they a serious pest? No
c. Should I try to get rid of them myself? Yes
Carpet beetles are known to eat natural fibers, whether in carpets or clothing. Their prevalence has largely decreased with the increase in use of synthetic fibers, but they can still be a problem especially in houses that have accumulated a lot of dust. Frequent vacuuming and storing clothing made from natural fibers in airtight containers or bags will reduce or eliminate populations of carpet beetles.