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Identify common indoor pests, locate food and moisture sources, and prevent repeat problems.
Search this topicThey excavate wood to make nesting galleries rather than consuming it as food. This can still damage structural wood, especially when colonies expand from damp or decayed areas. Have recurring activity or suspected damage inspected; the fact that they do not eat wood does not make an infestation harmless.
Correct leaks, clogged gutters, and other conditions that keep wood damp. Replace decayed wood appropriately, reduce wood-to-soil contact, and keep vegetation from providing bridges to the building. These changes remove favorable nesting conditions, but established colonies may still require identification and targeted professional treatment.
Watch from a safe, accessible position after sunset, when these ants are often most active. Note where workers enter and leave rather than simply spraying the visible individuals. Sawdust-like debris or rustling may help an inspector locate nesting activity, but do not open walls or drill blindly.
Earthen tubes running between soil and structural wood can be shelter tubes built by subterranean termites. Photograph the location and arrange a qualified inspection to identify the insects and extent of activity. Treating the visible tube alone does not establish that the underground colony or hidden damage is resolved.
No. Termites can emerge from buried wood, roots, or other colonies outdoors. A swarm is a reason to investigate, not proof that the building itself contains termites. Record where the insects appeared and have the structure inspected if you suspect entry, wood damage, or tubes on the foundation.
Direct contact provides a route and favorable moisture conditions for subterranean termites and decay. Keep the required clearance for your construction and local code, and remove scrap wood near the foundation. Do not excavate or alter supports casually; have existing structural or drainage problems assessed appropriately.
They can be. Drywood termites expel distinctive small pellets through openings, but wood debris and other insects can be confused with them. Save a sample and photographs for identification. Pellets alone do not show whether a colony is currently active or how far an infestation extends.
A spot treatment addresses a limited, identified area, while a whole-structure method aims to reach infestations throughout the building, including hidden locations. For drywood termites, ask the professional what inspection found, what areas the proposed method covers, and what follow-up is included if unseen colonies remain.
Yes. Drywood termites can live inside relatively dry wood above ground and do not need the soil connection typical of subterranean termites. Furniture and structural lumber can therefore be affected. Have suspicious damage or pellets identified before choosing a treatment intended for a different type of termite.
Vacuum or sweep up the visible insects, then check cracks and damp shelter near the building. Remove accumulated leaves and direct water away from the foundation. Indoor spraying does not fix their route of entry, so exclusion and outdoor habitat changes are more useful for preventing repeat visitors.
Place rolled newspaper or a short hollow tube near affected plants before evening. Earwigs use sheltered spaces during the day, so check the trap the following morning and empty collected insects into soapy water. Repeat monitoring to see whether numbers and plant damage decline before considering additional control.
Not necessarily. Some earwigs damage tender plants and fruit, but they also prey on aphids and other insects. Confirm that feeding damage is significant and that earwigs are responsible. Tolerating small numbers and reducing hiding places near vulnerable plants can be preferable to indiscriminate insecticide use.
The overwintering adults shelter indoors but do not normally reproduce there during winter. Seeing one on a warm day can mean it became active in its hiding place, not that a new generation hatched. Remove individuals and plan to seal entry gaps before the next fall invasion.
Look for a mottled brown, shield-shaped body and alternating pale and dark bands on the antennae and outer abdomen. Other stink bugs can look similar, so compare several features with an extension identification guide. A photograph is more useful for confirmation than identifying solely from an unpleasant odor.
Collect them gently in a container or use a vacuum for the visible insects, taking account of the odor they can release when disturbed. Avoid squashing them on furnishings. Physical removal and sealing entry points are preferred to indoor pesticide spraying for overwintering brown marmorated stink bugs.
For the common eastern carpenter bee, much of the upper abdomen is smooth and shiny black, while bumble-bee abdomens are hairy. Carpenter bees also investigate or excavate wood near buildings. Observe from a distance; size and yellow markings alone are not enough to identify the bee.
Yes. A female carpenter bee can bore a roughly half-inch entrance that leads into a nesting tunnel in the wood. Observe associated bee activity and have uncertain damage identified. Do not assume the visible opening shows the full tunnel length or plug an actively occupied nest without a management plan.
High locations add fall risk to the chance of stings and pesticide exposure. A licensed pest professional is a sensible choice for inaccessible nests or repeated damage. Describe the activity and affected wood so the visit includes identification and a plan for the nesting tunnels, not just passing bees.
Keep food covered, clean spills promptly, and close garbage containers tightly. Yellowjackets scavenge sweets and proteins, especially when colonies are large later in the season. Keep an eye on drink containers before sipping, and move away calmly from concentrated activity instead of swatting at the insects.
Place a suitable lure trap away from the area you want to protect, following its directions, rather than drawing foraging wasps toward diners. Trap performance depends on species and lure. Catching workers can reduce local nuisance but does not guarantee elimination of a nearby nest.
An open comb beneath an eave is characteristic of paper wasps, while many yellowjacket nests are enclosed or hidden in cavities. Observe without approaching or disturbing it. Location matters: a nest away from people may be tolerated, while one near a doorway warrants professional advice.
They mainly consume decaying organic material and are not typical pests of furniture, clothing, or stored food. Their presence is more useful as a clue to damp conditions and entry points. Remove the individuals and investigate moisture rather than assuming every sighting means wood-destroying insects are present.
Sowbugs require damp conditions and often die quickly in a dry interior. Repeated live sightings suggest moisture or a suitable nearby refuge. Check leaks, damp storage, and foundation conditions; use drying and appropriate repairs along with removal. An insect spray alone does not correct persistent indoor dampness.
Damp leaf litter and decaying vegetation provide food and shelter close to potential entrances. Remove that buildup, thin crowded foundation planting, and avoid keeping the soil constantly wet. Combine those changes with sealing entry gaps so fewer sowbugs reach the basement from their outdoor habitat.
Source checks for these answers: September 22, 2026. Product instructions and local requirements can vary.