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Household Pests
- Insects, spiders and related arthropods -
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Summary: Most bugs found in homes don't actually damage the structure or pose any real health threat but are more of a nuisance than anything else. Some, however, can cause structural damage, bite or sting, or create unhealthy conditions. Use the links below to information about managing all of these pests in safe and effective ways.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What are household pests?
 There are only a few insects, spiders and mites that are commonly found inside homes under normal conditions, these are the so called household pests. Certain ants, beetles, bugs, cockroaches, flies, mites, silverfish and springtails (collembola) are the most commonly reported.
Pests differ by region - what's common in one area may not be so common in another region of the country - but by and large the following pests constitute the majority of questions we get about insects and related arthropods that people find inside their homes.
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ants feeding at a bait station
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Use the links below to find color photos and drawings, life history information, and where needed, information that homeowners need to manage these pests in safe and effective ways.
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Other pest categories
Household insecticides
Question: Can I safely use insecticides indoors? Yes and no. First, there is almost no reason to ever apply insecticides indoors. Most insecticides available to homeowners as aerosol sprays are messy and not very effective, and you should not apply conventional insecticides in a kitchen where food can be contaminated.
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| Recently, however, new botanical (plant-based) insecticides have been introduced into the homeowner market that can be safely used indoors especially those botanical products that do not contain petroleum distillate and are labeled exempt from EPA registration. While I still hesitate to recommend insecticides for routine indoor use, if you want to use an insecticide use one of these safer alternatives (see Using Botanical Insecticides). |
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as well.
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Copyright © 2004-... LivingWithBugs, LLC. All rights reserved. Page Updated: 3/12/2010
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