Identify What’s Inside Your Home
Search by insect name or physical symptoms (e.g., "sawdust", "mud tubes", "pellets", "droppings", or "eaves") to see immediate identification signs and dispatch a licensed specialist.
Drywood Termite
Lives entirely inside dry structural timber without needing soil contact. Colonies excavate galleries within framing, eaves, fascia, and roof sheathing.
- Hexagonal sand-like fecal pellets (frass) kicked out of pinholes
- Discarded equal-sized iridescent wings on window sills
Subterranean Termite
Nests in subterranean soil and builds protected mud shelter tubes over concrete foundations to feed on structural wall studs and subfloors.
- Earthen mud tubes climbing stem walls and slab cracks
- Spongy, springy floorboards or baseboard collapse
Roof Rat
Exceptional climbers nesting in attics, soffits, palm trees, and citrus groves. Known for gnawing through electrical wires and polluting blown-in insulation.
- Nocturnal scurrying and scratching noises above ceilings
- Pointed banana-shaped dark droppings (1/2 inch)
House Mouse
Can squeeze through openings as narrow as a dime (1/4 inch). Rapidly contaminates food prep surfaces, pantries, and subfloor utility penetrations.
- Small rod-shaped droppings with pointed ends (1/8 to 1/4 inch)
- Musky odor in enclosed pantries and cabinets
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Subterranean excavator causing severe destruction across lawns, agricultural avocado groves, irrigation pipes, and ornamental landscaping throughout Fallbrook and Temecula.
- Crescent-shaped or fan-shaped dirt mounds with plugged burrow entrances
- Chewed drip irrigation lines and sudden localized lawn sinkholes
Argentine Ant
Forms massive interconnected multi-queen supercolonies across Southern California. Trails aggressively into plumbing voids and kitchens during hot spells.
- Rapid wide trailing columns along foundation weep holes and plumbing fixtures
- Sudden influx around sinks, pet bowls, and dishwashers
Western Carpenter Ant
Does not eat wood, but excavates smooth nest galleries inside moist or decayed wood, exacerbating structural failure in patio framing and eaves.
- Piles of fibrous coarse wood shavings (frass) containing dead insect parts
- Rustling sound inside wall voids
Western Black Widow
Highly venomous spider favoring dark, undisturbed locations like water meter boxes, garage corners, patio furniture, and crawlspaces.
- Irregular, chaotic, high-tensile tangled cobwebs near ground level
- Cream-colored papery egg sacs suspended in webs
California Common Scorpion
Common in rocky foothill and valley areas (Temecula, Murrieta, Fallbrook). Can climb vertical stucco and slip through door weatherstripping.
- Found under decorative landscaping rocks, pavers, and firewood piles
- Nocturnal presence around exterior foundation perimeter
Bed Bug
Nocturnal blood-feeding parasite that conceals itself inside mattress seams, headboards, electrical outlets, and baseboards.
- Linear or clustered red itchy bites appearing overnight
- Small rust-colored fecal spots on sheets and mattress piping
German Cockroach
Indoor specialist that breeds exponentially inside kitchen appliances, refrigerator motor housings, and cabinet hinge joints. Spreads allergens and pathogens.
- Pepper-like dark specks (fecal matter) in cabinet joints and drawer corners
- Pungent oily odor in heavy infestations
Oriental Cockroach (Waterbug)
Moisture-loving species inhabiting floor drains, water meter vaults, damp crawlspaces, and sewer cleanouts.
- Climbing out of shower drains, tubs, and laundry boxes at night
- Strong damp foul odor in crawlspaces
Silverfish & Firebrat
High coastal presence (Oceanside) driven by marine humidity. Feeds on carbohydrates, wallpaper glue, book bindings, and stored linen fibers.
- Irregular feeding holes in stored books, wallpaper, and clothing
- Yellow staining and pepper-like feces on drywall
Paper Wasp & Yellowjacket
Aggressive territory defenders that construct open-comb umbrella nests beneath roof eaves, patio covers, deck beams, and attic vents.
- Gray paper-like open honeycomb nests tucked under eaves and rafter tails
- High wasp activity hovering near swimming pools and trash bins
Cat Flea & Western Black-Legged Tick
Parasitic blood-feeders brought into yards by coyotes, squirrels, and pets. Infiltrates carpets, upholstery, and turf.
- Frequent pet scratching and biting at hindquarters
- Bites around human ankles and lower legs
Desert Recluse Spider
Native recluse species inhabiting arid brushlands, woodpiles, crawlspaces, and outbuildings throughout Southern California.
- Small, thin, irregular sticky retreat webs in dark corners
- Found hiding in undisturbed cardboard boxes, storage sheds, and wall voids