Pestology 101
 

A sap‑feeding pest that hops and flies onto trees, vines and ornamentals, leaving sticky honeydew behind.

Termites are social insects that silently chew wood from the inside out, undermining a building’s structure.

Spiders are eight‑legged predators that eat other insects but can alarm homeowners when webs or sightings become frequent.

Ticks are blood‑feeding arachnids that latch onto people and pets, potentially transmitting diseases like Lyme.

Mosquitoes are flying, biting insects whose females need a blood meal to lay eggs in standing water.

Stink bugs are shield‑shaped insects that feed on fruits and vegetables outdoors and crawl indoors to overwinter, releasing a foul odor when crushed.

House flies breed in garbage and animal waste, then buzz indoors carrying bacteria on their feet and mouthparts.

Field crickets may wander indoors, where their loud nighttime chirping and occasional fabric chewing become nuisances.

Ants form colonies that forage in long trails for crumbs and water, occasionally nesting inside walls or under slabs.

Cockroaches prefer warm, moist, food‑rich spots like kitchens and bathrooms and can spread allergens and pathogens as they scurry.

Rats and mice gnaw constantly, contaminate food and wiring, and squeeze through gaps as small as a dime to nest indoors.

Bed bugs are flat, reddish‑brown insects that hide in mattress seams and feed on sleeping humans at night.

Bee or wasp hives are colony nests that can deliver painful stings when disturbed and often need safe, professional removal from walls, eaves or trees.

Fruit flies are tiny vinegar‑loving flies that swarm ripe or rotting produce and lay eggs in the fermenting juices.