Below are categories of the most common pests. Click on the links below to learn more facts about these pests:
Ants There are over 100 species of ants in Canada, some of which are structure-damaging species and can take residence in or around your home. Ants can be difficult to get rid of once they establish a colony. Managing and controlling infestations is necessary if ants are frequently seen in your home or there are signs of a nearby nest.
Bees, Hornets & Wasps Wasps belong to the insect order Hymenoptera, which is a general term for wasp-like insects and also includes ants and bees. More than 500 species of wasps inhabit Canada, of which a good number, are social creatures that live in colonies ranging from half a dozen to 15,000 members.
Blood Feeders Bedbugs are small, nocturnal, wingless insects belonging to the insect family of Cimicidae. They feed on humans and other warm blooded animals. They are an oval shape and are up to 4-5 mm long when fully grown. Adult bed bugs have a flattened body and their skin colour is either rust brown or a deeper red brown.
Cockroaches Found in abundance throughout the world, cockroaches rank among the oldest and most resilient of insects on the planet. The ubiquitous and hardy creatures first appeared on the earth roughly 400 million years ago and have evolved minimally over time. Modern cockroaches therefore look very similar to the cockroaches that lived during the prehistoric geological era when the insects originally emerged.
Fabric & Paper Pests Moths belong to the insect order Lepidoptera, an order which is comprised of butterflies, moths and other fabric & paper pests. There are thousands of species of moths, of which some are important agricultural and stored product insect pests. Prevalent throughout Canada, pest moths are relatively destructive insects that cause various types of damage depending on the species. While some moths damage clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, wall hangings, and even museum artifacts, other moth species are stored-food pests that infest pantries, granaries, and warehouses.
Flies (non-biting) Because of their sheer abundance and varied habitats, flies frequently come in contact with humans and some have the ability to transmit disease-causing germs. More than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly including: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli and Shigella. These pathogens can cause disease in humans and animals, including: typhoid fever, cholera, bacillary dysentery, hepatitis, ophthalmia, polio, tuberculosis and infantile diarrhea. Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests, but accurate identification is essential for successful fly control.
Occasional Invaders Carabid Ground Beetle, Centipede, Clover Mite, Earwig, Field Crickets, House Crickets, House Dust Mite, Ladybug, Lady or Ladybird Beetle, Millipede, Mold or Plaster Beetles, Sowbug, Strawberry Root Weevil are all occasional invaders that you need to be aware of.
Spiders Although they often inspire feelings of fear or dread, spiders are beneficial. They prey on other pests, such as aphids, caterpillars, and various insects. The arachnids are typically nocturnal and react to confrontation by fleeing in most cases. Unlike other common pests, spiders are not known to transmit diseases to humans, but they do bite humans if provoked, and the venom of some species is highly toxic. However, the eight-legged arthropods commonly enter homes, where they spin webs and alarm people with their presence.
Stored Product Dark Mealworm, Drugstore Beetle, Granary Weevil, Indianmeal Moth, Larder Beetle, Mediterranean Flour Moth, Merchant Grain Beetle, Red Flour Beetle, Rice Weevil, Sawtoothed Grain Beetle, Yellow Mealworm are the bugs usually found in the stored products.
Termites Termite colonies range from hundreds of thousands to millions of members. Since each colony is capable of consuming at least half a kilogram of wood each day, termites are responsible for costly structural damage wherever they dwell. The three main types of termite species are subterranean, drywood and dampwood. Categorization is based on both the preferred habitat and main food source of the insects.
Vertebrate Pests Rodents are a vertebrate type of pest and an unwelcome and dangerous house guest that can quickly become a big problem. One pair of mice can produce 200 offspring in four months, which is just one reason why identifying early signs of rodent activity in your house is critical. The most common types of rodents are the house mouse, Norway rat and roof rat.
Wood Infesting Insects Bark Beetles, Cerambycids, Longhorned Beetles, Roundheaded Wood Borers, Lyctid or Powderpost Beetle, Wharf Borer are considered as wood infesting insects.
Additional Pest Identification Resources