Bugs are a fact of life when living in a home. While finding the occasional ant or spider in your house is normal, an excessive number of pests is a sign of an infestation that needs treatment. So how do you know what’s normal versus time to take action? Here’s a guide to the types of bugs commonly found in homes, how many is too many, and when to call an exterminator.
Common Household Bugs
Many different insects and arthropods can find their way into a home. Some of the most frequently encountered include:
- Ants – Attracted by food and moisture, ants enter houses in search of sugary and greasy foods, water, and shelter. Odorous house ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants, and pharaoh ants are indoor-dwelling species.
- Cockroaches – These nocturnal omnivores thrive in moist, warm environments and feed on a variety of foods. The most common household species are German, American, Oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches.
- Flies – House flies and fruit flies frequently fly inside when doors and windows are left open. They are drawn to ripe, rotting, or fermenting foods.
- Spiders – Many types of spiders may wander indoors while hunting for insect prey. Common house spiders include daddy long-legs, brown recluse spiders, black widows, and hobo spiders.
- Wasps & bees – Foraging wasps and bees sometimes find their way inside homes through small openings. This is most common in late summer into fall when colonies are large.
- Pantry pests – Moths, beetles, and other pantry pests can infest stored dried foods. Common species are Indian meal moths, flour beetles, and grain weevils.
- Occasional invaders – Other arthropods like centipedes, millipedes, earwigs, silverfish, and crickets may enter houses but do not reproduce inside.
Signs of a Bug Infestation
While seeing the odd bug now and then is expected, an actual infestation requires immediate pest control action. Signs your home may be infested include:
- Seeing numerous bugs – If you routinely see cockroaches scurrying around, dozens of ants marching along baseboards, or swarms of flies, an underlying infestation is likely.
- Spotting bugs in clusters – Bugs gathering in clusters, such as groups of ladybugs clustering in window frames, indicates a large population.
- Finding bugs in unusual locations – Discovering pests like spiders and cockroaches well beyond entry points suggests an established population.
- Getting bitten – Frequent itchy welts on your skin from bed bugs or fleas means they have infested areas where you sleep or rest.
- Noticing damage – Chewed fabrics, wood, and food packages may point to fabric pests, termites, carpet beetles, or pantry pests.
- Detecting odors – Foul smells emanating from infested areas also occur with some pests, like stink bugs and carpet beetles.
Acceptable vs. Worrisome Numbers of Common Household Bugs
When trying to determine if you have normal bug activity versus an infestation, here are some general guidelines for acceptable and worrisome numbers of the most common household insects:
| Bug Type | Acceptable Number | Worrisome Number |
|---|---|---|
| Ants | 5 ants or less per day | 10+ ants routinely spotted, trails visible |
| Cockroaches | 1 cockroach monthly | Multiple cockroaches weekly |
| House flies | 5 or less per day | 10+ flies daily, especially clustering |
| Spiders | Individual spiders in corners | Numerous visible webs, multiple spiders daily |
| Pantry pests | Occasional moths; no damage | Many moths; larvae and beetles present |
| Occasional invaders | 1 or 2 per day | 5+ per day |
| Bed bugs | 0 insects | Any bed bugs spotted |
When to Take Action on Household Bugs
Use these general guidelines to help determine if your home’s bug situation has crossed into infestation territory requiring professional pest control:
- You are regularly seeing more bugs than is considered acceptable based on type.
- Bugs are appearing in unusual locations like beds, couches, and clothing.
- You notice signs of an established population like egg cases, cocoons, shed skins, fecal spotting, or damage.
- Home remedies have not eliminated the problem.
- Bug bites are disrupting your life and comfort at home.
- You prefer not to deal with the nuisance of bugs in your home.
Any of these situations warrants contacting a licensed pest control professional. They have the knowledge and training to inspect your home, identify the species, pinpoint nesting sites, and prescribe effective treatments to eliminate the infestation.
Preventing Household Bug Problems
While a small number of bugs finding their way into a home is inevitable, you can discourage infestations by denying insects entry, shelter, food, and water. Here are some tips for bug-proofing your home:
- Seal cracks and crevices on the exterior using caulk and weatherstripping.
- Install tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
- Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces clean, dry, and ventilated.
- Fix leaky plumbing and don’t allow water to pool near the foundation.
- Remove stacks of firewood, compost, leaf litter, and other debris near the house.
- Keep plants, shrubs, and mulch several feet away from the exterior walls.
- Clean up food spills right away and store human and pet foods in sealed containers.
- Take out the garbage regularly and use cans with tight lids.
- Vacuum and mop floors frequently.
- Inspect items brought into the home including produce, dried goods, and secondhand furniture.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
In addition to treating active infestations that have exceeded acceptable thresholds, you may want to enlist the services of an exterminator for:
- Preventative treatments – Some companies offer annual preventative treatments to keep common pests at bay.
- Fumigations – Fumigations using special gases may be recommended if you have an extensive infestation, need to meet quarantine requirements for international moves, or are renovating a structure with evidence of past infestations.
- Termite inspections and control – Have a qualified company inspect for termites and install preventative treatments like soil basing and wood treatments to protect against destruction.
- Stinging insect nest removal – It’s safest to have a professional remove nests of stinging pests like wasps, hornets, and bees.
- Rodent control – Rats and mice should be handled by an exterminator who can identify entry points, strategically place bait stations, and ensure removal.
Choosing a Pest Control Company
When hiring a pest control company, look for one that:
- Is licensed in your state.
- Employs certified technicians.
- Specializes in residential pest control.
- Has a good reputation and reviews.
- Offers same-day emergency service.
- Provides detailed quotes and transparent pricing.
- Uses integrated pest management practices.
Conclusion
Finding an occasional bug inside your home is very normal. But once insect activity exceeds acceptable thresholds and you spot multiple pests daily, it’s a sign of an underlying infestation requiring professional treatment. With preventative measures and prompt control of excessive pest populations by a licensed exterminator, you can protect your home’s structure, furnishings, and your family’s health.