PEST IDENTIFICATION
Identifying & Eliminating Pests
Pest Identification Chart
The team at Organic Pest Services
can help with any pest issues
your home is having, even if you can’t identify the pest that’s causing the problem. We will identify the pest and create a specialized solution for your issue, providing safe and effective service for any pest control problem you have. If you aren’t sure what kind of infestation you may be experiencing, use our comprehensive list of common house pests.
Common Texas Pests
American Cockroach (Water Bug)
Large roaches, 1-4cm. These thrive in moist, shady areas such as mulch piles and hollow trees. They carry germs and are common household pests.
German Cockroach
Small roaches, 1-1.5cm. Tan or brown roach with very dark streaks. They are typically found in the kitchen, around food and trash, or in bathroom areas. They are most active at night.
Black Widow Spider
These black, long-legged spiders are easily recognizable due to their red hourglass shape on the abdomen. Bites are painful and contain nerve poison. Fortunately, they are non-aggressive.
Brown Recluse Spider
This is a small, brown spider with a violin-shaped mark on its back. Its bite contains venom that is damaging to human cells, and slow healing ulcers may form at bite location.
Carpenter Ants
Large ants, 1/2ʺ or larger. They can cause severe damage to wood. These ants swarm in spring, and some have wings. They are generally red and black, but can be all black.
Sugar Ants
Very small ants, less than ½” long. Their bodies are brownish orange, with a large black head. They are usually found in the kitchen and can be treated best with bait traps.
Fire Ants
Can be distinguished from other ants by their copper head and body. Usually from 2 to 6 millimeters long.
Wasps
Wasps range in size from 1/4" to 1" long. Colors can be yellow / black, red/orange, or solid black. Wasps have antennae & are pinched in at the waist.
Worker & Soldier Termites
1/2″ to 3/8″. These are white with colored heads and large pinchers. These termites severely damage wood and create problems in home structure.
Winged Termites
1/2″ to 3/8”. These termites are black and have two sets of wings that are longer than the body. Its waist is not narrow, unlike carpenter ants. They typically swarm out in large numbers during the spring. Subterranean termites start in the soil and build mud tubes through or over foundations to find the cellulose present in any wood product.