1-888-888-LIST (5478)Angie's LIST Guide to
Household pest control
A homeowner's guide to common household pests such as mice, termites, bedbugs, ants, roaches and other insects that may take up residence in your home. Learn how to spot an infestation problem before it spreads, and what methods you can try before resorting to an exterminator.
A homeowner's guide to common household pests such as mice, termites, bedbugs, ants, roaches and other insects that may take up residence in your home. Learn how to spot an infestation problem before it spreads, and what methods you can try before resorting to an exterminator.
Top Topics
Termite damage can sometimes look like mild water damage on the surface of wood. Prod it with a screwdriver to see if it's soft.
Read more about Termites.
When eradicating dangerous pests or insects that sting or bite, it's often a good idea to call in the pros.
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Bedbugs
This graphic shows the life cycle of the bedbug, which can live for about 10 months.
Bedbugs are like vampires who only come out to feed on their prey under the cover of darkness, so most people don't notice until they wake up with bites all over their bodies.
Bedbug infestation has nothing to do with whether your house is clean, nor whether you live in an expensive home or a cheap one. When staying in a hotel, strip off the sheets and examine the folds of the mattress and along crevasses in the headboard where bedbugs sleep during the day.
Bedbugs can't fly, but are excellent hitchhikers, so if you discover them in one bedroom keep that room isolated while you treat it. Don't dump sheets and pillows out in the hallway until you've checked them for bugs.
Termites
Not all termites are harmful, but drywood termites can chew their way through the frame of a house.
Termites resemble flying ants. Both have two sets of wings, but the termite’s wings are all the same size while the ant’s wings differ in size. A termite’s waist is broader, and less segmented than that of an ant.
Some termites live underground while others make their homes in wood -- which could be a tree or the frame of your house.
Buckling wood, swollen ceilings and floors are signs of termite damage. Termite damage can often appear as slight water damage. Mud tunnels, formed by subterranean termites, can be seen trailing up the sides of foundations or even walls.
Ants & roaches
Common ants can become a serious nuisance when they take up residence in your kitchen.
Ants and roaches are attracted to food, so keep loose food in airtight containers and keep trash out of your house. Wash trashcans regularly with bleach.
Mosquitoes breed in still pools of water, so make sure rainwater doesn't collect in old pots or other containers left outside. Repair screens to keep them out of your house.
Wasps, bees, hornets and other stinging insects may make their homes under the eaves of a house or sometimes in a garage. Call an exterminator to remove these.
Mice & rats
Unlike their cartoon counterparts, real mice leave a trail of droppings wherever they go.
Mice can squeeze through a hold the size of a nickel, so it's important to inspect the exterior of your home for small gaps, especially around pipes.
In addition to leaving their droppings wherever they walk and chewing through boxes in your pantry, mice can also spread disease because of the parasites they carry.
Short of calling a pest control service, the best do-it-yourself method is a series of traps where you see evidence of the presence of mice. Live traps are available if you don't want to kill the critters.
Hiring an exterminator
Many pest infestations can only be fully eradicated with the help of a professional.
Professional exterminators have developed effective methods for different types of pests. In some cases traps are used while in others localized spraying or fumigation of the entire home.
Look for a licensed and insured company with good recommendations on Angie's List. Ask how the exterminator deals with the specific kind of problem you have.
Many consumers are concerned about chemicals used in pest control, while others may want to evict mice without killing them. Ask the exterminator you hire how he would address your own concerns.