Raptor Pest Control Pest & Wildlife Library
The Raptor Pest Control Pest & Wildlife Library is coming soon. Please contact us with any questions.
Common Residential Pests
Identification, Facts, and Safety Information
Argentine Ant
Invasive pest (1/16–1/8 inch), light to dark brown. Known for huge super-colonies with roughly 15 queens for every 1,000 workers.
Facts and Knowledge
Look for visible trails along baseboards and plumbing. Crushed ants emit a greasy, musty odor. Often seen in multiple rooms after heavy rain. Nests in moist areas like mulch or wall voids.
Bite / Sting
No stinger; rarely bites humans unless provoked.
Odorous House Ant
Native North American species (1/16–1/18 inch), dark brown/shiny black. Famous for a “rotten” scent when crushed.
Facts and Knowledge
Strong preference for sugary foods. Invades during rain. Nests in warm, moist areas like hot water pipe voids or under sinks. Targets pantries for sugar, syrup, and grease.
Bite / Sting
Rarely bite and are not aggressive. Mouthparts are too small to break human skin.
Pavement Ant
Commonly called “concrete” ants. Native to Europe; nests in soil beneath sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.
Facts and Knowledge
Famous for spring “territory wars” on sidewalks. Nests feature volcano-shaped mounds. In winter, they move indoors toward heat sources like radiators.
Bite / Sting
Possess a small stinger, but typically too weak to break human skin.
Termites
Social insects known as “silent destroyers.” They feed on wood cellulose and cause severe structural damage while hidden.
Facts and Knowledge
Soft-bodied, white or cream color, straight antennae. Most active during warm, humid spring/summer weather. Organized into castes (Queen, King, Workers, Soldiers).
Bite / Sting
Do not sting. Soldier termites may bite if handled, but it is harmless. Real danger is to the building, not humans.
Spiders
Eight-legged arachnids. Vital for the ecosystem as they control insect populations. Most live 1-2 years, though some live 10+ years.
Facts and Knowledge
Found in forests, deserts, and homes. Most produce silk for webs or egg sacs. Prefer sheltered, moist habitats and are more active in warm weather.
Bite / Sting
Most are harmless to humans and only bite if threatened.
Black Widow
Venomous arachnid with a shiny dark body and red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen.
Facts and Knowledge
Builds messy webs in dark, quiet places (sheds, woodpiles). Venom contains a potent neurotoxin. Mating season occurs in spring and early summer.
Bite / Sting
Pinprick sensation followed by muscle cramps, nausea, and swelling. Seek medical attention immediately, especially for children or seniors.
Yellow Jacket
Social wasps with bold black and yellow stripes. Shiny bodies and narrow waists distinguish them from bees.
Facts and Knowledge
Build nests in underground burrows, wall cavities, or tree holes. Live in large colonies with queens, workers, and males.
Bite / Sting
Capable of stinging multiple times because their smooth stingers do not get stuck in skin.
Paper Wasp
Slender, social wasp known for umbrella-shaped nests made of chewed wood fibers.
Facts and Knowledge
Queens start colonies in spring; males typically die after mating. Nests are built in sheltered areas like eaves or tree branches. Activity peaks in warm weather; only fertilized queens survive the winter.
Bite / Sting
Painful but rarely life-threatening. Stings primarily to defend nests. Seek immediate medical care if facial swelling or difficulty breathing occurs.
Honeybee
Vital pollinators living in large colonies with a single queen and thousands of workers.
Facts and Knowledge
The queen lays up to 2,000 eggs daily. They communicate nectar locations via a “waggle dance.” Workers perform specialized nursing and foraging tasks. They cluster to survive winter.
Bite / Sting
Generally docile. Unlike wasps, their barbed stinger stays in the skin, which is fatal to the bee after stinging.
House Mouse
Small, highly adaptable rodents (7–10 cm) found in close association with humans.
Facts and Knowledge
Nocturnal omnivores that reproduce rapidly (litters of 5–12 every few weeks). They nibble small amounts of food throughout the day and stay close to their nesting sites.
Bite / Sting
Bites are rare unless trapped. Can transmit salmonella or leptospirosis. Wash any bites immediately with soap and water.
Norway Rat
Large, robust “brown rat” (8–10 inches) known for burrowing in sewers and basements.
Facts and Knowledge
Highly intelligent and opportunistic. Capable of damaging structures and contaminating food. Females produce several litters per year. Excellent burrowers along foundations.
Bite / Sting
Bites are deeper than mouse bites. Can transmit rat-bite fever. Treat seriously by disinfecting and seeking medical consultation.
Roof Rat
Agile climbers (6–8 inches) with tails longer than their bodies. Prefer warm coastal regions.
Facts and Knowledge
Excellent climbers nesting in attics, trees, and roofs. Prefer plant-based foods like fruits and nuts. Cautious feeders that return to the same sites nightly.
Bite / Sting
Rarely bite unless cornered. Sharp incisors can puncture skin easily. Monitor closely for signs of infection or leptospirosis.
Voles
Small, furry rodents that look like mice but have shorter tails, rounder bodies, and smaller ears.
Facts and Knowledge
Herbivores eating grasses, roots, seeds, and bark. They create networks of underground burrows and reproduce very quickly, serving as a food source for predators.
Bite / Sting
Naturally timid and prefer to flee. May bite or squeak only if cornered, handled, or threatened. Defensive behavior relies on hiding, not aggression.
Gopher
Small, burrowing rodents with short, stocky bodies and strong forelimbs with sharp claws for digging.
Facts and Knowledge
Known for fur-lined cheek pouches used to carry food. Presence revealed by fan-shaped dirt mounds on the surface. Mostly underground lifestyle, eating roots and tubers.
Bite / Sting
Bites are rare, usually only if handled or trapped. Not poisonous, but bites can break skin and introduce bacteria; clean thoroughly with soap and water.
Mosquitoes
Small, slender insects with a long, needle-like mouthpart called a proboscis.
Facts and Knowledge
Only females bite humans for protein to produce eggs; males feed on nectar. Notorious for spreading diseases like Zika and West Nile virus. Need only small amounts of standing water to lay eggs.
Bite / Sting
Females inject saliva to prevent blood clotting, which causes the itchy bump. This saliva can also transmit dangerous diseases.
Ticks
Small, oval-shaped arachnids (eight legs) that are flat before feeding, swelling up after consuming blood.
Facts and Knowledge
Found in grassy and wooded areas. Attach to hosts for days to feed on blood. Known for spreading serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Bite / Sting
Bites are usually painless at first due to numbing saliva. Monitor for symptoms like a rash, fever, or fatigue, and see a doctor if they appear.
Fleas
Wingless, sand-grain sized insects with powerful hind legs for jumping and hard, shiny bodies.
Facts and Knowledge
Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, commonly living on pets but capable of biting humans. They lay eggs on hosts that fall into carpets and bedding. Larvae feed on organic debris, and adults can survive for weeks without a host.
Bite / Sting
Bites are small, red, and intensely itchy, often appearing in clusters or lines on ankles and legs. Scratching can break the skin and lead to secondary infections.
Fruit Fly
Small (2–4mm) tan insects with distinctive red eyes, attracted to ripe or rotting organic matter.
Facts and Knowledge
Known for a rapid life cycle of 8–10 days. They are essential in scientific research due to genetic similarities to humans. In homes, they reproduce quickly in kitchens, feeding on sugars and yeast in fermenting fruit.
Bite / Sting
Fruit flies do not bite humans. Their mouthparts are designed for liquids. However, they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria from decaying matter.
Drain Fly
Also called “moth flies”; small, fuzzy insects (2–5mm) often found near sinks and drains.
Facts and Knowledge
They lay eggs in the organic biofilm and grease that collects in drains. Adult drain flies are weak fliers and usually gather near breeding sites. Their presence is a strong indicator of poor drain hygiene or organic buildup.
Bite / Sting
Drain flies do not bite and are generally harmless to humans, though large infestations can become a significant nuisance in bathrooms and kitchens.
House Fly
Common gray insects (6–7mm) with four dark stripes on the thorax and large reddish eyes.
Facts and Knowledge
Found near garbage and animal waste, they undergo complete metamorphosis from maggot to adult in as little as 7–10 days. Adults live 15–30 days and use sponging mouthparts to feed on liquids.
Bite / Sting
While they do not bite, they are dangerous vectors of disease. They carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites from waste directly to human food and surfaces.
Cluster Fly
Slightly larger than house flies (7–10 mm) with a fuzzy, golden-haired thorax and a grayish-black body.
Facts and Knowledge
Found in attics and wall voids during fall and winter. Unlike other flies, their larvae are parasitic on earthworms in the soil rather than garbage. They are slow fliers and gather in large “clusters” to hibernate.
Bite / Sting
Cluster flies do not bite humans or pets. They lack mouthparts for piercing skin. Their primary issue is the nuisance of large numbers gathering indoors during cold months.
Silverfish
Wingless, silvery-gray insects (12–19 mm) with a fish-like shape and three long tail-like appendages.
Facts and Knowledge
Active at night in dark, damp areas like basements and bathrooms. They feed on starchy materials including book glue, wallpaper, and fabrics. They can live 2–8 years and are very fast-moving.
Bite / Sting
They do not bite or transmit disease. However, their feeding habits can cause significant damage to household goods, paper products, and clothing.
Earwig
Dark brown insects (10–25 mm) with prominent, intimidating pincers (cerci) at the end of the abdomen.
Facts and Knowledge
Nocturnal pests that prefer moist environments under mulch, rocks, or garden debris. They are omnivores that eat plants and small insects. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis and live about one year.
Bite / Sting
Despite their pincers, earwigs do not bite humans and rarely pinch when handled. They are not known to spread diseases but can be a nuisance in large numbers.
Stink Bug / Boxelder Bug
Shield-shaped (12–17 mm) with flat bodies. Famous for releasing a foul-smelling chemical when threatened or crushed.
Facts and Knowledge
Commonly invade homes during the fall to overwinter in attics and wall voids. They use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap, fruits, and vegetables. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis and can live for several months.
Bite / Sting
They do not bite or sting humans. Their status as a pest comes from their large-scale home invasions and the strong odor they emit when disturbed.
Raccoon
Medium-sized mammal with a distinctive black “mask,” ringed tail, and highly dexterous front paws.
Facts and Knowledge
Highly intelligent nocturnal omnivores. Known for “dousing” (washing) food in water. They can open latches and containers easily. Females give birth to 2–5 kits in the spring and can be very protective of their dens.
Bite / Sting
Generally not aggressive unless cornered or protecting young. Can carry rabies and roundworm. Avoid contact; seek medical help immediately if bitten or scratched.
Squirrel
Agile rodents with bushy tails and sharp claws. Includes tree, ground, and flying species found worldwide.
Facts and Knowledge
Diurnal herbivores that cache nuts and seeds for winter. Their teeth grow continuously, requiring constant gnawing. Tree squirrels build nests called “dreys,” while ground species dig burrows.
Bite / Sting
Not naturally aggressive but will bite or scratch if handled or cornered. Sharp teeth can cause injury. While rabies is rare in squirrels, bacterial infections are possible after a bite.
Skunk
Nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white coloration and sulfur-based defensive spray.
Facts and Knowledge
Solitary omnivores that control rodent and insect populations. Their spray is ejected up to 10 feet from specialized anal glands, causing intense irritation and odor. They typically live 2–4 years in the wild and are native across North and Central America.
Bite / Sting
Naturally shy, but will bite if cornered or protecting young. Because skunks are primary rabies vectors, any bite or scratch must be followed by immediate medical attention.
Bats
Nevada is home to over 20 species of these essential, insect-eating nocturnal mammals.
Facts and Knowledge
Critical for controlling mosquito and agricultural pest populations using echolocation. Active from spring through fall, they roost in caves, buildings, and trees. They are protected by law and face threats from White-nose Syndrome.
Bite / Sting
Rarely aggressive, but will bite if handled. Bats are the most common wildlife source of rabies in the U.S. Never handle a grounded bat with bare hands; contact professionals if found indoors.
