Other Pests
Are you seeing signs of a pest in your home but you’re not sure what it is? Aspen Pest Control’s technicians can help you identify your pest, prepare a treatment plan, and help you keep your home and family safe.
How do I know I have a pest problem?
Insects and other pests are essential to the environment—but that doesn’t mean they should be anywhere near your home. Protecting your family, pets, and structures must take priority. While a single pest in the home may not require an immediate response (unless it’s a larger pest like rodents), it’s essential to watch for multiple pests, nests, or signs of expanding pest populations.
How did the pests get inside my home?
Most pests look for areas around your home that will give them access, like crevices, cracks, seams, windows, holes, or areas not appropriately sealed. To help prevent pests from getting into your home, inspect the interior and exterior of your home for any potential entry points.
What if I see signs of a pest but don’t see a pest?
Some pests leave behind residue, droppings, or stains that can help our pest control technicians identify them. Observe your home for any of these signs, and call our pest control technicians to share what you’ve found. Oftentimes, we help our customers identify the pest either over the phone or via a picture sent to us through text or email. We’re also available for a free in-home inspection for most pests.
Still not sure what pest you are looking at?
Common Pacific Northwest Pest Identification
Earwig Description
Size
Adult earwigs are about 1/4-1 inch long.
Color
Earwigs are typically reddish-brown to black in color.
APPEARANCE
Earwigs are easily distinguished by their pinchers on the back of their abdomen, which are longer in males than in females. They have elongated flattened bodies.
ARE EARWIGS HARMFUL?
The pincers on earwigs cause many people to assume they are harmful or poisonous. Earwigs do not sting and do not have venom. If agitated, they may attempt to pinch your finger with their pincers, but they are not harmful. And despite their name, they do not crawl inside of ears. While not harmful to humans, they can cause significant damage to your garden or your plants.
Slug Description
Size
The incredibly wet climate of the Portland-Metro area is perfect for slugs. Hundreds of varieties of slugs in the Northwest range in size from an inch to the spotted garden slug, which is at least 6 inches long.
Color
Slug species come in many colors. The most common are typically brown to black in color. Other common colors are yellow or reddish-brown.
APPEARANCE
Smaller slugs are typically more oval or round-shaped. More giant slugs are long and tube-like. Slugs are all shell-free. Many species have a mantle towards their eyes where you’ll notice a ribbed area or distinct features where they breathe or extend their eyes.
ARE Slugs HARMFUL?
In general, no. They are not venomous or stinging. However, slugs can carry certain parasites that are harmful to humans. Most often, slugs cause harm to gardens, produce, and plant life.
House Fly Description
Size
House flies are typically 1/8 – 1/4 inch with a wingspan of 1/2 in. wide.
Color
House flies are typically gray to black in color.
APPEARANCE
Flies have an oval-shaped thorax with wings that rest on their slightly hairy back. They have large red eyes and six legs protruding from their thorax.
ARE FLIES HARMFUL?
Flies are known to carry and spread bacteria. They frequent rotting food, garbage, and fecal matter. Because they have so much bacteria on their bodies, the presence of many flies in your home should be immediately treated.
Clothes Moth Description
Size
Clothes moths are about 1/4 inch in length.
Color
Clothes moths are usually yellowish-white to pale brown in color.
APPEARANCE
The wings of the clothes moth are easy to spot—triangular in shape when spread. When their wings are compressed against their back, they appear more cylindrical but wider at the base as the wings separate. They usually have a fuzzy/hairy body with spots or dark specks on their wings.
ARE CLOTHES MOTHS HARMFUL?
Clothes moths are not harmful to humans or your health. They can, however, cause significant damage to your clothing and furniture—destroying fabric, animal-based textiles (wool, fur, silk), and upholstery. They are often known for causing major damage to stored clothing and belongings.
Pill Bug Description
Size
Pill bugs size ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Color
Pill bugs are typically slate-gray in color.
APPEARANCE
Pill bugs are also known as “rollie pollies” because they can roll up into a tight, defensive ball when disturbed. Their bodies are oval-shaped and segmented, which allows them to roll up. They have seven pairs of legs and two antennae.
ARE PILL BUGS HARMFUL?
Pill bugs are harmless to humans. They do not sting, carry disease, or sting humans. They can be destructive to plant life, particularly the roots of plants.
Ground Beetle Description
Size
Ground beetles are typically 1/8 to 1 inch in length. Adults are about the size of a quarter.
Color
Ground beetles are typically black to charcoal in color.
APPEARANCE
Ground beetles have a large abdomen with prominent ridges running length-wise down their winged back. Their body is separated into three segments, with two large antennae protruding from their head. Their body is slightly flattened.
Are ground beetles harmful?
Ground beetles are not dangerous to humans. It’s rare for them to bite with their pincers, which are non-venomous. They also do not spread diseases to humans. They are typically only a problem when they enter the home in large numbers.
Carpet Beetle Description
Size
Carpet beetles are small to the eye, about 1/8 inch in length.
Color
Carpet beetles are brown to black in color with yellowish-white-flecked or dotted backs.
APPEARANCE
Carpet beetles are oval-shaped. Their wing covers on their back are spotted with irregular, sometimes wave-like patterns.
ARE CARPET BEETLES HARMFUL?
Carpet beetles do not bite, but they can cause itchy, bumpy patches of skin or rashes on humans. These can sometimes be mistaken for bed bugs for this reason. Carpet beetles are infamous for the damage their larvae can potentially cause to animal-based fabrics such as wool, silk, and cashmere.
European Crane Fly Description
Size
Adult crane flies are about 3-4 inches long.
Color
Crane flies are typically gray, brown, or yellow in color.
APPEARANCE
Crane flies have wings, a very slender body, and elongated legs. They are much larger than mosquitoes, although often mistaken for them.
ARE CRANE FLIES HARMFUL?
Crane flies are not harmful to humans. They do not bite or spread disease. The main problem with crane flies is the damage that their larvae can do to grass. The larvae of the crane fly live in the turf thatch and attack the roots, crowns, and root hairs. In spring and fall, crane fly damage to grass can be severe, causing small brown patches throughout the lawn.
Cricket Description
Size
Crickets are about 1 inch in length.
Color
Crickets vary in color from brown to black.
APPEARANCE
Crickets are most easily recognized by their large rear legs that are thicker and protrude further from their body than their other appendages. They have cylindrical bodies and broad heads.
ARE CRICKETS HARMFUL?
Crickets are not harmful or dangerous to humans. Outside of your home, the noise they make may be bothersome. Inside of your home, they damage textiles and fabric.
Silverfish Description
Size
Silverfish are typically 1/2 to 1 inch long.
Color
As the name implies, silverfish are typically silver or gray in color.
APPEARANCE
The bodies of silverfish are carrot or teardrop-shaped with multiple antennae that extend from their head and rear. Their front antennae are typically the longest, extending far away from their head.
ARE SILVERFISH HARMFUL?
Silverfish are not harmful to humans as they do not bite, sting, or carry disease. However, humans can have an allergic reaction to dust created by scales dropped from their bodies—resulting in rashes. Silverfish often damage property, including books, clothing, and insulation.
Millipede Description
Size
Millipedes add sections to their body as they age, meaning they can vary in size. They are typically from 1 inch to 5 inches in the Pacific Northwest.
Color
Millipedes are typically brown or black in color and sometimes will have markings on their bodies.
APPEARANCE
Millipedes have cylindrical bodies that look almost like a small cord or tube. Their backs are highly segmented, allowing them to turn and curve their body. They have many legs and continue to grow new legs as they mature.
Are millipedes harmful?
Millipedes are not harmful to humans. They do not bite or sting. However, if alarmed, they can secret a foul-smelling liquid. This fluid can cause skin irritation or rashes. Immediately wash the fluid off your body if this occurs.
Clover Mite Description
Size
Clover mites are very small, almost specklike. They are no bigger than the size of a pinhead.
Color
Clover mites are red to reddish-brown. The youngest clover mites are bright red.
APPEARANCE
Both young clover mites and clover mite eggs are bright red. Typically, this is how most homeowners notice them. If you see flecks of color moving on a surface or red stains appearing on fabrics, you may have clover mites in your home.
ARE CLOVER MITES HARMFUL?
Clover mites are not harmful to humans as they do not bite or sting. They also don’t cause damage to property. When stepped on or squished, they’ll leave behind a red blood-like stain, which can become a nuisance.
Springtail Description
Size
Springtails are tiny, typically about 1/16 – 1/4 inch.
Color
Springtails are typically different shades of gray, black, or brown.
APPEARANCE
Springtails cannot fly, but they get their name from a spring-like structure on their body that allows them to jump short distances.
Are spring tails harmful?
Springtails are not harmful to humans or pets. They rarely do large amounts of damage to plants or property. However, springtails have the potential to infest areas around the home by the thousands. They can also become a significant interior nuisance when they enter bathrooms and other high moisture areas by the scores.
Mosquito Description
Size
Mosquitoes are about 1/4 – 1/2 inch in size.
Color
Mosquito color can vary significantly, but most mosquitoes in the Portland/Vancouver metro area are brown, gray, silver, or black.
APPEARANCE
Most people are familiar with mosquitoes as they frequently hover around and then bite humans. They are winged insects that insert a needle-like proboscis into human skin to extract blood.
ARE MOSQUITOES HARMFUL?
Mosquitoes are one of the main transmitters of disease throughout the world. While most of these diseases are not of immediate concern in the Pacific Northwest, mosquitoes should be exterminated in areas frequented by people. Allergic reactions to mosquito bites can also be harmful.
Cockroach Description
Size
Cockroaches in our area are usually 1/2 to 5/8 inch in length.
Color
Cockroaches are usually reddish-brown to black in color.
APPEARANCE
Cockroaches have oval-shaped bodies and long legs that extend from their body. They have wings that overlap with their back and can fly.
are cockroaches harmful?
Cockroaches can carry dangerous bacteria that can harm humans. They frequently contaminate food or kitchens where food is prepared. If a cockroach is discovered in your home, it’s important to act quickly to keep the spread of bacteria contained. Cockroaches do not bite or sting.
Centipede Description
Size
Centipedes range from 1/8 – 6 inches in size.
Color
Centipedes are typically different shades of gray or brown but are also notable in color and appearance for having darker spots across their bodies.
APPEARANCE
Centipedes have long, flattened bodies with many legs protruding from their bodies. They have long antennae on their head.
Are centipedes harmful?
Centipedes in the Vancouver/Portland metro area generally do not harm humans. They do not carry disease.
Bed Bug Description
Size
Adult bed bugs are very small, usually just a bit larger than a pinhead.
Color
Bed bugs are brown or even rusty reddish-brown in color.
APPEARANCE
Bed bugs are oval-shaped with tiny heads and comparatively large abdomens. Bed bugs are usually discovered after getting bites on your body after sleeping or from noticing stains on fabric/sheets from either blood or bed bugs being squished.
ARE BED BUGS HARMFUL?
Bed bugs may not be dangerous; however, their bites can cause red bumps, welts, or irritation/rashes on your skin. While they have not been shown to transmit disease, they can cause constant irritation if not treated and exterminated.
Fruit Fly Description
Size
Fruit flies are small, about 1/8 in length, or about 1/3 the size of a house fly.
Color
Fruit flies are yellow to tan in color.
APPEARANCE
Fruit flies have vividly colored eyes, typically red. Fruit flies congregate around fruits, vegetables, drains, garbage cans, and kitchens or areas where food is prepared. They tend to gather in groups. They can also be distinguished by how they appear to hover when flying.
ARE FRUIT FLIES HARMFUL?
While they don’t directly harm humans, fruit flies can carry and spread bacteria and disease. Not exterminating fruit flies will only increase their population and increase the chance of bacteria being ingested by a human.
What's Bugging You Near Vancouver, WA?
Pest extermination with real results
Why should I call professional pest control?
We understand why people want to try and attempt DIY pest control treatments. While you may be able to kill part of the pest population, over-the-counter DIY pest control products don’t have the same level of effectiveness as professional pest control services. DIY treatments often don’t take into account things like disrupting egg cycles or matching seasonal habits.
Prevention is key
Just exterminating the pests that are visible to the eye is not enough. Unless you are trying to exterminate pests at the source and take the preventative measures necessary to stop them from entering your home in the first place, you should expect the pests to return.
Early intervention is crucial for effective pest control
Don’t wait to have your pest problem addressed. Too often, pests flourish and expand their population while people try to make the decision about whether to get professional pest control or not. Our team is friendly and eager to help you with your pest problem today.
Pest Control Treatment
1
INSPECT
Our pest control technicians are thorough and detailed as they inspect the interior and exterior of your home. We will search primarily for entry points and take the preventative measures necessary.
2
Apply products
We take our environmental stewardship seriously. We are environmentally conscious and commit to using eco-friendly pest control products. We work hard to leave a small footprint on the environment while effectively defending your home from pests.
3
ONGOING OBSERVATION
The majority of our customers choose our Home Protection Plan. Quarterly (every three months), one of our pest control technicians will come to inspect and treat your home for pests. Doing this consistently builds an incredible defense against pests during their most active times of the year.
Secure your home from pests
Satisfaction guaranteed
Choose to work with us at Aspen Pest Control. We care about every one of our customers and work until you are satisfied with the results. You have enough on your plate—the last thing you should worry about is pests.
Call Aspen Pest Control today, and let’s get to work on your pest problem.
Talk with an expert pest control technician
Vancouver Office:
12104 NE 95th St.
Vancouver, WA 98682
Portland Office:
8305 SE Monterey Ave
Suite 220 Q
Happy Valley, OR 97086
Mailing Address:
19215 SE 34th St
Suite #106-155
Camas, WA 98607
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