Pest Identification & Treatment Guide

Comprehensive database of common Pennsylvania pests with expert identification tips, life cycle information, treatment methods, and safety guidelines.

Found 42 pests

Eastern Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes flavipes

SEVERE RISK

Habitat: Underground colonies connected to wood via mud tubes; requires soil contact and moisture

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Carpenter Ant

Camponotus spp.

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Nests in moist, decaying wood; hollow trees, logs, stumps, wooden structures

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Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, cracks in furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlets

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Odorous House Ant

Tapinoma sessile

LOW RISK

Habitat: Nests in wall voids, under floors, in mulch, under rocks; prefer moisture

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Pharaoh Ant

Monomorium pharaonis

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Warm buildings year-round; nests in wall voids, behind baseboards, in insulation

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House Fly

Musca domestica

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Breeding sites: garbage, animal waste, compost, decaying vegetation; adults rest on ceilings, walls

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Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Roosts in attics, barns, behind shutters, in tree cavities; colonies 100s-1000s; hibernate in caves/mines

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White-Footed Mouse

Peromyscus leucopus

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Outdoor species but enters buildings in fall; nests in wall voids, attics; prefers wooded areas, fields

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Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Dens under decks, sheds, porches, in crawlspaces; prefer edges of woods, fields; near suburban areas

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Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa virginica

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Bore 1/2 inch round holes in unpainted wood; prefer eaves, decks, siding, fences

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Asian Tiger Mosquito

Aedes albopictus

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Breeds in small containers: flower pots, bird baths, tires, clogged gutters, tarps, toys

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Big Brown Bat

Eptesicus fuscus

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Buildings, attics, barns, behind shutters; hibernate in buildings more than little browns; solitary or small colonies

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Deer Mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Primarily outdoor; nests in tree cavities, stumps, abandoned structures; enters homes in fall/winter; prefer rural areas

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Raccoon

Procyon lotor

SEVERE RISK

Habitat: Dens in attics, chimneys, under decks, in trees; near water; urban/suburban adaptable

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Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Trees, attics, soffits, wall voids; nest (dreys) in trees; prefer hardwood forests but adapt to suburbs

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Acrobat Ant

Crematogaster spp.

LOW RISK

Habitat: Nests in moist or damaged wood, foam insulation, soil; often where carpenter ants or termites have been

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Yellow Jacket

Vespula spp.

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Underground nests, wall voids, attics, hollow trees; paper-like nests

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Bald-Faced Hornet

Dolichovespula maculata

SEVERE RISK

Habitat: Aerial nests in trees, shrubs, building eaves; large gray paper nests

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Pavement Ant

Tetramorium caespitum

LOW RISK

Habitat: Nests under pavement cracks, stones, along curbs, foundations

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Black Widow Spider

Latrodectus mactans

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Dark, undisturbed areas: woodpiles, sheds, garages, crawlspaces, meter boxes

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American Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Sewers, basements, steam tunnels, boiler rooms, drains; prefer warm, moist areas

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Outdoors on trees, shrubs, gardens; overwinter indoors in attics, wall voids

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Deer Tick (Black-legged Tick)

Ixodes scapularis

SEVERE RISK

Habitat: Wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, shrubs; questing on vegetation

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Brown Recluse Spider

Loxosceles reclusa

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Dark, undisturbed areas: closets, attics, basements, behind furniture, in stored boxes

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Oriental Cockroach

Blatta orientalis

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Cool, damp areas: basements, crawlspaces, drains, under porches, mulch beds

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House Mouse

Mus musculus

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: Nests in wall voids, cabinets, storage areas, insulation

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German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

HIGH RISK

Habitat: Kitchens, bathrooms, warm areas near food/water; hide in cracks, cabinets, appliances

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Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

SEVERE RISK

Habitat: Burrows outdoors near foundations, under debris; indoors in basements, sewers, ground-level areas

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Cat Flea

Ctenocephalides felis

MODERATE RISK

Habitat: On pets (cats, dogs); larvae in carpets, pet bedding, upholstery; prefer warm, humid areas

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Silverfish

Lepisma saccharina

LOW RISK

Habitat: Bathrooms, basements, kitchens; prefer high humidity (75-95%), dark areas, temperatures 70-80°F

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House Centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata

LOW RISK

Habitat: Damp areas: basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces; behind baseboards, in drains; outdoors under rocks

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Wolf Spider

Lycosidae (various species)

LOW RISK

Habitat: Ground-dwelling; outdoors in grass, gardens, leaf litter; enter homes at ground level; hunt at night

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Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors on boxelder and maple trees; sun-facing walls in fall; overwinter in wall voids, attics

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Clover Mite

Bryobia praetiosa

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors on lawns, especially thick, well-fertilized grass; sunny south/west-facing walls; enter buildings through cracks

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Cellar Spider (Daddy Longlegs Spider)

Pholcus phalangioides

LOW RISK

Habitat: Basements, cellars, garages, crawlspaces, corners, under furniture; prefer cool, damp areas

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Indian Meal Moth

Plodia interpunctella

LOW RISK

Habitat: Pantries, cupboards, food storage areas; infest grains, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, pet food, bird seed

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Cluster Fly

Pollenia rudis

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors in summer; overwinter in attics, wall voids, false ceilings in large clusters; emerge indoors on sunny winter days

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Springtail

Collembola (various species)

LOW RISK

Habitat: Moist areas with decaying organic matter: mulch, soil, leaf litter, damp basements, around leaks, in potted plants

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European Earwig

Forficula auricularia

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors under mulch, rocks, boards; indoors in basements, bathrooms; need moisture

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Millipede

Diplopoda (various species)

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, under stones, in compost; migrate indoors in fall and during heavy rain

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House Cricket

Acheta domesticus

LOW RISK

Habitat: Outdoors in fields, lawns; indoors in basements, kitchens, behind appliances; need warmth and moisture

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American House Spider

Parasteatoda tepidariorum

LOW RISK

Habitat: Upper corners of rooms, windows, eaves, garages, basements; builds cobwebs

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