Household Pests

- Insects, spiders and other arthropods found in homes -

Summary: Most bugs found in homes don't actually damage the structure or pose any real health threat but are just more of a nuisance than anything else. Some, however, can cause structural damage, bite or sting, or create unhealthy conditions. See details below.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD

OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
my resume

Identifying household pests

There are only a few insects, spiders, and mites that are normally found inside homes. These are the so-called household pests. Certain ants, beetles, true bugs, cockroaches, flies, mites, silverfish, and springtails (collembola) are the most commonly reported.

Household pests differ by region - what's common in one area may not be so common in another region of the country - but the following represent the majority of questions we get through our bug id service.

ants feeding at a bait station

Other pest categories

Pests That Damage Homes including termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, wood boring bees, and others.

Pests That Bite or Sting including bed bugs, biting mites, fleas, lice, ticks, wasps, spiders, and others.

Household insecticides

Question: Can I safely use insecticides indoors? Yes and no. First, there is almost no reason to 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.

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).

Why Mothballs Should NOT Be Used

What are Uninvited Houseguests?

Do Electronic/Ultrasonic Pest "Repellers" Work?

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, PhD,  , email:  [email protected]

Please see the Disclaimer statements as well.