Identification guides and treatment options for 50 common pests in the Southern United States
The most common household invaders including ants, roaches, termites, mosquitoes, and more.
Reticulitermes flavipes
Size: Workers: 1/8 inch; Soldiers: 1/4 inch; Swarmers: 3/8 inch with wings
Subterranean termites are the most destructive wood-destroying insects in the United States, causing over $5 billion in property damage annually. Unlike drywood termites, they require contact with soil moisture to survive and build distinctive mud tubes to travel between their underground colonies and food sources.
Cryptotermes species
Size: 1/4 to 3/8 inch
Drywood termites live entirely within wood and do not require soil contact like subterranean termites. They infest dry, sound wood including structural timbers, furniture, and hardwood floors. Colonies are smaller but can cause significant localized damage.
Coptotermes formosanus
Size: 1/2 inch (swarmers); 1/4 inch (soldiers)
Formosan termites are the most destructive termite species in the United States. Native to Asia, they form massive colonies of millions of individuals and can cause severe structural damage in months rather than years. They are sometimes called "super termites."
Solenopsis invicta
Size: 1/8 to 1/4 inch (workers); queens up to 1/3 inch
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) is an invasive species that arrived in the United States through the port of Mobile, Alabama around the 1930s. These aggressive ants are notorious for their painful stings and large mound-building colonies that can contain 100,000 to 500,000 workers.
Blattella germanica
Size: 1/2 to 5/8 inch (adults)
The German cockroach is the most common and economically significant indoor cockroach species worldwide. Despite its name, it likely originated in Southeast Asia. This species is particularly challenging to control due to its rapid reproduction rate and ability to develop resistance to insecticides.
Culicidae family (multiple species)
Size: 1/4 to 3/8 inch
Mosquitoes are small flying insects that are among the deadliest animals on Earth, transmitting diseases that kill over 700,000 people worldwide annually. In the Southern United States, several species are of concern including the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus), and Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti).
Cimex lectularius
Size: 1/4 inch (adult); 1/16 inch (nymph)
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood, with humans as their preferred host. Once nearly eradicated in developed countries by the 1950s, bed bugs have resurged dramatically since the late 1990s, becoming one of the most challenging urban pests to control.
Camponotus species
Size: 1/4 to 1/2 inch (workers); queens up to 3/4 inch
Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in the United States and are major structural pests. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but excavate it to create smooth tunnels and galleries for nesting, pushing out sawdust-like frass.
Monomorium pharaonis
Size: 1/16 inch (1.5-2mm)
Pharaoh ants are among the most difficult household pests to control. These tiny ants can spread diseases in hospitals and contaminate food in homes. They form multiple colonies that can "bud" when disturbed, making improper treatment counterproductive.
Nylanderia fulva
Size: 1/8 inch
Tawny crazy ants (formerly called Rasberry crazy ants) are an invasive species from South America that has rapidly spread across the Gulf Coast. They get their name from their erratic, jerky movement patterns. They form enormous supercolonies and are known for damaging electrical equipment.
Periplaneta americana
Size: 1.5 to 2 inches
The American cockroach is the largest common cockroach species, often called a "palmetto bug" or "water bug" in the South. Despite its name, it originated in Africa. It can fly short distances and often enters homes through sewer connections.
Blatta orientalis
Size: 1 to 1.25 inches
Oriental cockroaches, often called "water bugs" or "black beetles," are among the most concerning cockroach species for health. They prefer extremely damp conditions and are commonly found in drains, sewers, and damp basements, carrying more bacteria than other species.
Ctenocephalides felis
Size: 1/16 to 1/8 inch
Cat fleas are the most common flea species affecting dogs, cats, and humans. They are wingless jumping parasites that can jump up to 150 times their body length. Fleas can transmit diseases and parasites including murine typhus and tapeworms.
Vespula species
Size: 3/8 to 5/8 inch
Yellow jackets are aggressive wasps that nest in the ground or in wall voids. They become especially aggressive in late summer when colonies are large and food becomes scarce. They can sting multiple times and are a significant hazard at outdoor events.
Dolichovespula maculata
Size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch
Bald-faced hornets are large, aggressive wasps that build distinctive paper nests in trees and shrubs. Despite their name, they are technically yellowjackets, not true hornets. They are very defensive of their nests and can sting repeatedly.
Triatoma species
Size: 1/2 to 1 inch
Kissing bugs are blood-feeding insects that can transmit Chagas disease, a potentially serious parasitic infection. They typically bite people on the face while sleeping (hence "kissing bug"). They are nocturnal and hide during the day.
Aedes albopictus
Size: 1/4 inch
Asian tiger mosquitoes are aggressive day-biting mosquitoes with distinctive black and white striped bodies. They are invasive disease vectors that can transmit Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and other viruses. They breed in small water containers around homes.
Polistes species
Size: 3/4 to 1 inch
Paper wasps are social insects that build distinctive open-faced, umbrella-shaped nests from chewed wood fiber mixed with saliva. While generally less aggressive than yellowjackets, they will defend their nests if threatened. Several species are common in the South, including the red paper wasp (Polistes carolina) and the common paper wasp (Polistes exclamans).
Linepithema humile
Size: 1/16 to 1/4 inch
Argentine ants are an invasive species that forms massive "supercolonies" containing millions of ants and multiple queens. They aggressively displace native ant species and are a significant nuisance pest, often invading homes in huge numbers.
Periplaneta fuliginosa
Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
Smokybrown cockroaches are common outdoor pests in the South that frequently enter homes. Unlike American cockroaches, they lack the yellowish markings on their head. They are strong fliers attracted to lights at night.
Musca domestica
Size: 1/4 inch
House flies are the most common flies associated with humans and are significant vectors of disease. They cannot bite but spread pathogens by landing on food after visiting garbage, feces, and decaying matter.
Xylocopa species
Size: 3/4 to 1 inch
Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees but have a shiny, hairless abdomen. They bore perfectly round holes in unpainted wood to create nesting galleries. While males are aggressive, they cannot sting. Females rarely sting unless handled.
Tineola bisselliella
Size: 1/4 inch (wingspan)
Clothes moths are small, golden-tan moths whose larvae damage wool, silk, fur, and other animal-based fabrics. Unlike pantry moths, they avoid light and are often found in dark closets and storage areas. The larvae, not adults, cause damage.
Tapinoma sessile
Size: 1/16 to 1/8 inch
Odorous house ants get their name from the rotten coconut-like smell they emit when crushed. They are one of the most common household ants in the United States and are a persistent nuisance pest that readily nests both indoors and outdoors.
Psychodidae family
Size: 1/8 inch
Drain flies, also called moth flies or sewer gnats, are small fuzzy flies that breed in the organic matter that accumulates in drains. While they do not bite or transmit disease, they indicate plumbing or sanitation issues.
Drosophila melanogaster
Size: 1/8 inch
Fruit flies are tiny flies attracted to ripening and fermenting fruits and vegetables. They are a common nuisance in kitchens, particularly in late summer and fall. Their rapid reproduction can lead to large infestations quickly.
Lepisma saccharinum
Size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch
Silverfish are primitive, wingless insects covered in silvery scales. They are nocturnal and avoid light. While they do not pose health risks, they can damage books, wallpaper, and stored items by feeding on starch and cellulose.
Forficula auricularia
Size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch
Earwigs are easily recognized by the pincer-like appendages (cerci) at the rear of their abdomen. Despite folklore, they do not crawl into human ears. They are primarily outdoor pests that occasionally enter homes seeking shelter.
Acheta domesticus
Size: 3/4 to 1 inch
House crickets are common insects known for the males chirping song. While they do not pose health risks, large infestations can damage fabrics, paper, and stored foods. They often enter homes in fall seeking warmth.
Ceuthophilus species
Size: 1/2 to 1.5 inches
Camel crickets, also called cave crickets or spider crickets, are wingless insects with a distinctive humped appearance. They do not chirp like house crickets. They prefer dark, damp environments and often startle homeowners when they jump.
Boisea trivittata
Size: 1/2 inch
Boxelder bugs are black insects with distinctive red-orange markings. They congregate in large numbers on sunny walls in fall, seeking warmth before winter. While harmless, they can be a significant nuisance when they enter homes.
Halyomorpha halys
Size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch
The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive Asian species that has become a major nuisance pest. They congregate on buildings in fall and release a pungent odor when disturbed or crushed. They are also a significant agricultural pest.
Tibicen species
Size: 1 to 2 inches
Cicadas are large, noisy insects known for their loud mating calls that can reach over 100 decibels. They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, emerging as adults for a few weeks to mate. They do not bite or sting.
Sceliphron caementarium
Size: 1 inch
Mud daubers are solitary wasps that build distinctive mud nests. They are not aggressive and rarely sting. They are beneficial predators that hunt spiders, including black widows. Their nests, while unsightly, pose minimal danger.
Plodia interpunctella
Size: 1/2 to 5/8 inch (wingspan)
Indian meal moths are the most common stored product pest in homes. They infest grains, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, pet food, and other dry goods. The distinctive two-toned wings help identify them.
Harmonia axyridis
Size: 1/4 inch
Asian lady beetles were introduced to control aphids but have become a nuisance when they invade homes in fall. They resemble native ladybugs but can be distinguished by the M-shaped marking on their head. They can bite and release a foul-smelling defensive fluid.
Spiders, scorpions, ticks, and chiggers – some pose serious health risks in the Southern states.
Loxosceles reclusa
Size: 1/4 to 1/2 inch body; 1 inch with legs extended
The brown recluse is one of the few medically significant spiders in North America. Its bite can cause necrotic wounds that require medical attention. Despite its reputation, the brown recluse is not aggressive and bites only when pressed against skin.
Dermacentor variabilis
Size: Unfed: 1/8 inch; Engorged female: up to 1/2 inch
The American dog tick is the most commonly encountered tick in the eastern United States and a primary vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the South. Also known as the wood tick, it is a three-host tick that feeds on different animals at each life stage.
Latrodectus mactans
Size: 1.5 inches (including legs)
Black widow spiders are venomous spiders with medically significant bites. Females are recognizable by their shiny black body and red hourglass marking. They are not aggressive but will bite if disturbed or trapped. Their venom affects the nervous system.
Amblyomma americanum
Size: 1/8 to 1/4 inch (unfed adult)
Lone star ticks are aggressive biters common in the South. Females have a distinctive white spot on their back. They can transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, STARI, and are associated with alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy). All life stages bite humans.
Centruroides vittatus
Size: 2 to 3 inches
The striped bark scorpion is the most common and widely distributed scorpion in Texas and Oklahoma, and the only species found across the entire state of Texas. While their stings are painful, they are not considered life-threatening to healthy adults, though medical attention may be needed for children, elderly, or those with allergies.
Trombiculidae family
Size: 1/150 inch (larvae)
Chiggers are the larval stage of harvest mites. These microscopic red mites cause intensely itchy bites that can last for weeks. They do not burrow into skin but inject enzymes that break down skin cells for feeding.
Hogna species
Size: 1/2 to 2 inches
Wolf spiders are large, hairy hunting spiders that chase down prey rather than building webs. They look intimidating but are not dangerous to humans. Females carry egg sacs and spiderlings on their bodies.
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Size: 1/4 to 3/8 inch
Common house spiders are the cobweb spiders found in corners, closets, and basements throughout homes. They are harmless and help control flies and other household insects. Their messy webs are often considered unsightly.
Salticidae family
Size: 1/8 to 3/4 inch
Jumping spiders are compact, active spiders known for their excellent vision and jumping ability. They have large front-facing eyes and are curious, often appearing to watch observers. They are harmless and help control insect pests.
Mice and rats spread disease, contaminate food, and cause structural damage to homes.
Mus musculus
Size: Body: 2.5-3.5 inches; Tail: 2.5-4 inches
The house mouse is one of the most successful mammals on Earth, having spread to every continent through its association with humans. A single pair of mice can produce 200 offspring in 4 months under ideal conditions. Their adaptability, rapid reproduction, and ability to squeeze through tiny gaps make them persistent home invaders.
Rattus norvegicus
Size: 7-10 inches (body); 6-8 inches (tail)
Norway rats, also called brown rats or sewer rats, are large rodents that live in close association with humans. They are destructive pests that contaminate food, damage structures, and transmit diseases. They are neophobic (cautious of new things), making control challenging.
Centipedes, millipedes, pill bugs, and other occasional invaders commonly found in Southern homes.
Armadillidium vulgare
Size: 1/4 to 5/8 inch
Pill bugs, also called roly polies, are not insects but terrestrial crustaceans related to lobsters and crabs. They roll into a ball when disturbed. While they are primarily outdoor pests, they enter homes seeking moisture and indicate damp conditions.
Scutigera coleoptrata
Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
House centipedes are distinctive predators with long legs and rapid movement. While alarming in appearance, they are beneficial because they eat other household pests including spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. They can bite if handled but rarely do.
Narceus americanus
Size: 1 to 4 inches
Millipedes are slow-moving detritivores with many legs (not actually 1,000). They occasionally invade homes in large numbers after heavy rains or during droughts. While harmless, mass migrations can be alarming.
