Pest questions, straight answers
90 answers to the questions homeowners search most. Need help now? Call (855) 424-9709.
Mice and rats
What are the signs of mice in the house?Small dark droppings in cabinets and along walls, gnawed food packages, shredded paper or insulation, scratching…How can I tell if I have mice or rats?Rat droppings are larger, about the size of a raisin, while mouse droppings look like grains of rice. Rats leave…Why do mice come inside in the fall?As nights cool, mice look for warmth, water and food. They squeeze through gaps around pipes, vents and doors, and…How do I clean up mouse droppings safely?Don't sweep or vacuum dry droppings, which can stir up germs. Open windows, wear gloves, spray the droppings with…What does it mean if I hear scratching in the walls at night?Scratching, scurrying or gnawing in walls or ceilings at night usually means mice or rats are nesting inside. Rodents…If I saw one mouse, are there more?Often, yes. Mice breed quickly, and seeing one, especially during the day, usually means others are nearby. Acting…How do I know if I have rats in the attic?Look for droppings, flattened or tunneled insulation, gnawed wood or wires, and noises overhead at night. Roof rats…How long does it take to get rid of mice?Many homes see results within a few weeks of trapping and sealing entry points. Larger or longer-running problems can…How do I keep mice out of my garage?Seal gaps around the garage door and walls, store pet food and grass seed in sealed containers, and keep clutter off…
Bed bugs
How do I know if I have bed bugs?Look for small reddish-brown bugs, rusty spots and tiny pale eggs along mattress seams, the box spring, headboard and…What do bed bug bites look like?Bed bug bites are often small, red, itchy bumps in a line or cluster, usually on skin exposed while sleeping. Some…Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?Small, early cases can sometimes be contained, but bed bugs hide in tiny cracks and resist many store products. Most…What should I do if I brought bed bugs home from a trip?Unpack in a hard-floored area, put clothes straight into the dryer on high heat, vacuum the suitcase and check your…What is bed bug heat treatment?Pros raise the temperature in the affected rooms high enough, for long enough, to kill bed bugs and their eggs, using…Do bed bugs mean my house is dirty?No. Bed bugs travel in luggage, furniture, clothing and bags and show up in very clean homes too. They feed on…Do I need to throw out my mattress if I have bed bugs?Usually not. Mattresses can be treated and then sealed in a bed bug encasement. Throwing furniture out can spread bed…Can bed bugs come back after treatment?They can if some survive or new ones are brought in. That's why a follow-up inspection matters, and why it helps to…Where do bed bugs hide besides the bed?Couches and recliners, nightstands, baseboards, behind outlet covers and picture frames, inside clutter, and in…
Cockroaches
Why do I have cockroaches in a clean house?Roaches come in through boxes, grocery bags, drains and gaps around pipes, and they're after water and warmth as much…What does it mean if I see roaches during the day?Roaches usually hide during the day, so seeing them in daylight can mean a large population that's running out of…What's the difference between German and American cockroaches?German cockroaches are small, tan and live indoors, multiplying fast in kitchens and bathrooms. American cockroaches…Do bug bombs work on cockroaches?Usually not. Foggers rarely reach the cracks where roaches hide and can push them deeper into walls and into other…Where do cockroaches hide in a kitchen?Behind and under the fridge and stove, under the sink, inside cabinet hinges and corners, in the dishwasher area and…What do cockroach droppings look like?Small roaches leave droppings like black pepper or coffee grounds. Larger roaches leave small cylindrical pellets…I just moved in and there are roaches. What should I do?Tell the landlord or building manager in writing, keep food sealed, take trash out nightly and fix any leaks. In…How long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?German cockroaches often take a few weeks with professional baits and follow-up visits. Larger infestations can take…Can cockroaches come up through drains?Yes, especially larger American cockroaches that live in sewers and drains. Keep drains covered at night and run…
Termites
What are the first signs of termites?Swarmers or piles of shed wings near windows and doors, mud tubes on the foundation, hollow-sounding wood, and doors…How can I tell termites from flying ants?Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist and four wings of equal length. Flying ants have bent antennae, a…Are termite swarmers inside my house an emergency?They don't bite or sting, but swarmers indoors usually mean an active colony nearby. Schedule an inspection soon…What are termite mud tubes?Subterranean termites build pencil-width tubes of soil and wood to travel between the ground and your house while…What's the difference between subterranean and drywood termites?Subterranean termites live in the soil and build mud tubes. Drywood termites live inside dry wood, often in warm…How often should I get a termite inspection?Once a year is common, especially in the South and other termite-heavy areas, and before buying a…How are termites treated?Pros use liquid soil treatments around the foundation, bait stations that the colony carries back, or spot and…What is termite frass?Frass is the small pellet-shaped droppings drywood termites push out of the wood they're eating. Piles of tiny…How can I help prevent termites?Keep wood, mulch and firewood away from the foundation, fix leaks and drainage so soil stays dry near the house, and…
Ants
Why do I have ants in my kitchen?Ants follow scent trails to food, sweets, grease and water. Once a scout finds something, others follow the same…What are the signs of carpenter ants?Large black ants indoors, especially in spring, small piles of fine sawdust near wood, and faint rustling in walls…Are carpenter ants as bad as termites?Carpenter ants don't eat wood like termites, but they hollow it out to nest, which can weaken it over time. They also…Why do ants keep coming back?Sprays kill the ants you see but not the colony and queen. Baits that ants carry home, and treating the nest, stop…How dangerous are fire ants?Fire ant stings are painful and cause itchy bumps. People who are allergic can have serious reactions. Keep children…Why are there flying ants in my house?Flying ants are swarmers leaving a mature colony to start new ones. Indoors, they can mean a nest inside walls. Make…Why are ants in my bathroom?Ants are drawn to moisture as much as food. Leaks around tubs, sinks and toilets attract them, and carpenter ants may…What are sugar ants?"Sugar ants" is a common name for several small ants that go after sweets, such as odorous house ants. They form long…Why are ants coming out of electrical outlets?Wall voids are warm, protected places to nest, and outlets are openings into them. Some ants are even attracted to…
Wasps, hornets and bees
What should I do about a wasp nest near my door?Keep everyone away from it, use another door if you can, and don't spray or knock it down. A pest pro can remove it…Is it safe to remove a wasp nest myself?It's risky. Disturbing a nest can trigger many stings at once, especially with yellowjackets in the ground or nests…How can I tell wasps from bees?Wasps are smooth and shiny with a thin waist and bright markings. Bees are fuzzier and rounder. Honey bees are often…What should I do about yellowjackets nesting in the ground?Mark the area, keep people and pets away, and don't mow over it or pour anything in the hole. Ground nests can hold…Why are wasps getting inside my house?There may be a nest in a wall void, attic or soffit area, or they're coming through gaps. Don't seal the hole while…When are wasps most aggressive?Late summer and fall, when colonies are at their largest and food is scarce. That's when picnics and trash cans draw…What's the difference between hornets and wasps?Hornets are a type of wasp, usually larger, and often build big paper nests in trees, shrubs or under eaves. Both can…Will a wasp nest go away on its own?Most wasp nests die off in winter, and old nests aren't reused. But a busy nest near a door or play area is worth…What should I do about a bee swarm on my house?A swarm of honey bees clustered on a branch or wall is usually resting and often moves on within a day or two. Keep…
Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas
Why are there so many mosquitoes in my yard?Standing water nearby. Mosquitoes can breed in a bottle cap of water, so buckets, saucers, toys, tarps and clogged…Does yard mosquito treatment work?Treating the shady places mosquitoes rest, plus removing standing water, reduces them noticeably. It's usually…When does mosquito season end?Usually after the first hard frost. Warm, wet falls keep mosquitoes active later into the…How do I check myself for ticks?After time outdoors, check your scalp, behind the ears, underarms, waist, behind the knees and between the legs…Where do ticks hide in the yard?In tall grass, leaf litter, brush, woodpiles and the shady edges where lawns meet woods. They wait on grass tips for…How do I remove a tick safely?Grasp the tick close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the area and…How do I know if I have fleas in the house?Pets scratching a lot, small itchy bites around ankles, and tiny dark specks (flea dirt) in pet bedding and carpets…Why are fleas back after I treated my pet?Most of a flea population lives as eggs and larvae in carpets, rugs and bedding. New fleas keep hatching unless the…Can fleas live in a house without pets?For a while, yes. Fleas can hatch from carpets and furniture weeks after a pet has left, and they'll bite people when…
Spiders and scorpions
How do I know if a spider is dangerous?In most of the U.S. only black widows and brown recluses are a real concern. If you're unsure, take a photo from a…Why do I see more spiders in the fall?Many male spiders wander in fall looking for mates, and cooler weather pushes spiders and the insects they eat…Do lots of spiders mean I have other bugs?Often. Spiders follow their food, so many spiders indoors usually means plenty of insects for them to…Where are brown recluse spiders found?Mainly in the central and southern U.S., from Texas and Oklahoma to Tennessee and Missouri. Indoors they hide in…What should I do after a black widow or brown recluse bite?Clean the area and get medical advice, especially for children, older adults or anyone with strong symptoms. Call 911…Why do I have scorpions in my house?Scorpions come in looking for water, shelter and insects to eat, especially in the Southwest and Texas. Rain and heat…Where do scorpions hide in a house?In dark, cool spots: closets, shoes, under sinks, in bathtubs, in towels and in clutter in garages and…Are scorpion stings dangerous?Most cause sharp pain and swelling. Bark scorpions in the Southwest can cause stronger reactions, especially in…How do I keep scorpions out?Seal gaps under doors and around windows, pipes and weep holes, move rocks, wood and debris away from the house, and…
Stink bugs and other bugs
Why are stink bugs in my house in the fall?They gather on warm, sunny walls looking for gaps to spend the winter inside, then appear on warm…Do stink bugs bite or cause harm?No. They don't bite, sting or breed indoors, but they smell when crushed and can gather in large…Why do lady beetles gather in my windows?Some lady beetles overwinter in groups inside walls and come out to sunny windows on warm…What are cluster flies?Cluster flies are slow, large flies that shelter in attics and walls over winter and gather on sunny windows. They…Why are there silverfish in my bathroom?Silverfish love damp, dark places. Bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms with high humidity attract…What are carpet beetles and are they harmful?Carpet beetle larvae feed on wool, fur, feathers and lint, and can leave holes in rugs and clothes. Adults are small…How do I get rid of pantry moths?Throw out infested food, vacuum and wipe the shelves, and store dry goods in sealed glass or plastic containers…Why are there crickets in my basement?Crickets move indoors as it cools and like damp, dark basements and crawl…Are house centipedes harmful?House centipedes rarely bite people and actually eat other insects. Seeing many of them points to moisture and other…
Exterminators and treatment
Do I need an exterminator or can I handle it myself?Small, occasional pests can often be handled with cleaning and sealing. Call a pro for bed bugs, termites, German…How fast can an exterminator come out?Many local companies can come the same day or the next day. It depends on your area and how busy they are, so call…What happens during a pest control visit?The technician inspects inside and out, identifies the pest and how it's getting in, treats the problem areas, and…Is pest control safe for kids and pets?Ask the company which products they use and how long to keep kids and pets away from treated areas. Many offer…Do I need to leave my home for pest treatment?Often not. Some treatments, like bed bug heat treatment or fumigation, need you out for several hours or longer. The…How often should a house be treated for pests?Many homeowners choose a visit each season. Homes with ongoing problems may start with more frequent…What should I tell the exterminator when I call?What you're seeing, where in the house, how long it's been going on, whether anyone has been bitten or stung, and…How do I prepare for an exterminator visit?Clear access to problem areas like under sinks and along baseboards, put away food and dishes, and ask whether pets…Should I get pest control when I move into a new home?It's a good idea, especially if the home was empty for a while. An inspection catches problems like rodents, roaches…
