Pest Library

Black house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, harvester ants, odorous house ants, and sugar ants are examples of the different types of ants that try to turn our San Francisco Bay and East Bay Area outdoor spaces and homes into places they can acquire their basic needs their own! Ants, like most pests, are opportunistic, and any place that provides them with food, water, and shelter is a place they will happily move into and, in most cases, take over!

Bed bugs are apple seed-shaped insects that regularly find their way into our homes. These pests live indoors with people because blood is their sole food source, and our blood is their preferred food source. Bed bugs are other pests commonly associated with filth. Yet, the truth is that these pests can find their way into any of our homes no matter how clean or cluttered they may be by hitchhiking on our clothing, in luggage, and on secondhand things like mattresses and furniture.

Cockroaches are scavenging insects that regularly find their way into our homes and businesses. The most common structural invading species living throughout California are American cockroaches, Brown-banded cockroaches, German cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches. They enter our homes quite easily on their own through openings they discover in the exterior or by coming in through sewers or drains.

Rodents are some of the most common visitors to our yards and homes. They have discovered that living near people offers them the things they need to survive. While rodents can survive on their own in the wild, why would they when they know our properties provide them safe shelter, food, and water! Unfortunately for us, the presence of rodents on our properties is not helpful and they need to be eliminated as quickly as possible.

Spiders are an important part of the ecosystem and live all around us. California’s mild weather and abundant vegetation allow spiders and their insect prey to thrive. Spiders live in large populations all around us and, unfortunately, often wind up in our structures as they search for prey and quiet places to lay their eggs. Spiders are a problem for several reasons, including creating unsightly messes, startling us, and making us uncomfortable in our own homes.

Stinging insects are those pests that most people hate to hate. We understand how eco-important they are, but we also don’t want them in our yards nesting in high-traffic areas, or worse yet, in our homes. There are many dangers associated with stinging insects when they call our properties home. The most well-known is, of course, their ability to deliver painful stings.

Silverfish are small, wingless insects that resemble fish, hence their name. They are known to thrive in dark and moist environments, making them common pests in homes. Silverfish are usually found in bathrooms, basements and attics, as well as in places where paper and fabrics are stored. While they won’t hurt you directly, silverfish can damage your home and possessions.

Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are commonly found in homes with pets, and they can cause a range of health and pest control issues if not dealt with properly. Like mosquitos, fleas bite their victims, leading to intense itching and scratching. Their bites can potentially lead to infection and disease.