Arcadia Pest Control

Most Common Pests in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is home to many species of insects, rodents, and wildlife. Learn more about the most common pests in the area by reading below.

Termites

Subterranean termites and drywood termites are the most common species found in the Phoenix area. Subterranean termites are the most widespread throughout the US and Arizona is no exception. These wood-destroying pests live within soil and mulch beds, searching for wood to chew through. By eating wood and constructing tunnels called “mud tubes", subterranean termites are able to quickly grow their colonies. Drywood termites are widely considered to be another destructive termite species, with populations throughout the West Coast, Hawaii, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and of course, Arizona. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites live above ground and can be active throughout your home. Termites do not actively seek humans or bite. The main threat when it comes to termite infestations is the structural integrity of your home.

Scorpions

The most common species of scorpions in the Phoenix area are called Arizona bark scorpions. They are yellow and brown with horizontal bands across their body. These terrifying creatures are an average of 3 inches long with two extended claws, six legs and one venomous stinger. They are the most dangerous scorpion in the state. When it comes to pest control, scorpions are an unfortunate reality. If you aren't prepared for possible scorpion infestations, your home may be vulnerable. Arizona bark scorpions are nocturnal, hunting for crickets, spiders, cockroaches, other small or medium-sized insects and even other scorpions. Once they enter your home, they seek out secluded, dark areas with higher levels of moisture. This is why you might find a scorpion hiding out in your bathtub, closet, or even inside your shoe. Because they prefer to be hidden in the dark, you might not know that scorpions live in your home.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are notoriously problematic for residents of Arizona including Phoenix. Oriental, German, and American cockroaches are the most abundant in homes throughout the area. Due to Arizona's warm climate, cockroaches are active year-round. Cockroaches are well known for being resilient and tough insects to eliminate, quickly multiplying indoors. Unfortunately for homeowners and renters, cockroaches can infest when food and water sources are available. Leaving out food or dirty dishes can encourage an infestation since this type of clutter provides a good food source for the roaches. American roaches usually originate from drains or sewers and make their way into working or living areas via the pipes and drains. The adults are not very strong flyers, but can still make it from one building to another by gliding, allowing them to easily migrate from building to building. Cockroaches also are drawn to less frequented areas near sewers and drainage where they can live among the moisture and clutter made by boxes and papers left in your attic, storage spaces, or crawl space. Connected units such as condos, townhomes, rowhomes, and apartments are especially susceptible to cockroach infestations.

Mice

Phoenix residents have to deal with rodent infestations year-round. Mouse infestations can happen even if you keep your home spotless. Mice come into houses and apartments, looking for food and water which can easily be found in dripping pipes, leaky dishwashers, fallen crumbs, dog food bowls left out overnight, and food kept in unsealed containers. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime and can easily slip into your house unnoticed. Once indoors, they can quickly cause unsanitary conditions, leaving large amounts of droppings throughout your home as these nocturnal critters quietly scavenge at night. Mice can also contaminate food in easily penetrable or unsealed food containers. Oily spots called “rub marks" can stain walls where openings exist. Their coats are full of natural oils that transfer as they scale walls or enter and exit through small spaces.

Rats

Many Phoenix metro area residents have to deal with rat infestations every year. Roof rats are the most common invaders locally. As their name implies, roof rats tend to nest in high places like rooftops, attics, and trees. They can carry many harmful pathogens and can damage your home and belongings with their strong teeth. Because rats are especially intelligent, calling in pest control professionals is always the best course of action if rats are infesting your home.

Silverfish

Silverfish find their way indoors while searching for warmth, moisture and food. Easy entry points exist around your home such as windows, door frames, and utility pipes. They can travel by hiding in boxes or packages. Although silverfish don't cause structural damage like termites or pass on disease-causing pathogens to humans like ticks, they can cause damage to books, wallpaper and sometimes clothing. Once the silverfish have established themselves inside, they can live for several weeks without any food source or water and have an average lifespan of 3 years. However, if they find an abundant food source, they'll stay close by.

House Ants

House ants can enter your home through tiny spaces. Small tears in window screening, exterior cracks, and gaps around windows and doors are some of the most common access points for ants. They can also be brought into the home by hitching a ride with potted plants or hanging baskets from garden centers. Ants can be found in any part of your home, but the kitchen, bathroom, and screened-in porch are the most common. The main reason why they are congregating in these spaces is because of easily accessible water and food sources. Your home can easily suffer from ant infestations if food isn't stored properly, entry points aren't repaired or sealed and weak wood or damp insulation exists.

Clothes Moths

Case making clothes moths are household pests that can be found in many homes throughout the Phoenix metro area. Spring and summer usually bring the most clothes moths activity, but an infestation can happen at any time of year. Clothes moths can also lay eggs in and damage carpets, upholstered furniture, and rugs. They are not an immediate health threat to humans, but they still are bothersome because of how destructive they can be to your garments, carpets and rugs. Always contact Terminix for an inspection if you suspect you have clothes moths in your home.

Spiders

Spiders are very common pests that residents of Phoenix encounter year-round. Unlike most pests, spiders usually wander indoors unintentionally. Most frequently, you'll encounter Southern house spiders and wolf spiders. On occasion, more dangerous spiders including black widow spiders can pop up amongst clutter or in your bathroom. Secluded corners, garages, crawlspaces, cabinets, closets, and attics are ideal hiding places for house spiders due to the low amount of foot traffic.

Stink Bugs

Brown marmorated stink bugs are small, brown insects that have a shield-shaped body with a set of wings and six legs. You'll usually find stink bugs in your home in the spring and fall. They are considered to be “overwintering" insects because of their seasonally motivated behavior. In the fall, stink bugs seek refuge in wall voids and other hidden spaces within manmade structures. This allows them to hide in insulated areas, safe from the winter weather. In the spring, stink bugs end their overwintering and head back outdoors to live within nature until the next fall.

Centipedes

House centipedes, banded desert centipedes, and giant desert centipedes are the most common species of centipedes found in homes throughout the Phoenix area. Many live around your property under rocks, within soil, and amongst clutter. Although they prefer to live outdoors in the heat, centipedes of any species can find their way indoors when there are small openings they can slip through. In general, centipedes do not attempt to interact with humans, but they do have the capability to bite if directly handled. Centipedes like moist environments and enter structures such as a basement or crawlspace to seek shelter. It's not uncommon to find centipedes in other rooms with moisture such as bathrooms and under dishwashers or sinks.

Earwigs

Earwigs are primarily garden pests, found within soil, mulch beds, and under rocks. However, they can be found in basements after heavy rains in monsoon season when they are pushed up out of the ground and end up indoors. Some other places a homeowner may find earwigs are in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms because they like damp environments, but they can turn up in just about any area of the home. If the earwig harborages aren't addressed, then they can become problematic for homeowners who are trying to control the infestation.

Crickets

The Indian house cricket can be found in laundry rooms, storage spaces, behind baseboards, under appliances, crawlspaces, under decks, attics, and other spaces with less foot traffic in your home. Cricket infestations are not only difficult to control, but they are also very noisy while they chirp at night. Indian house crickets can damage paper, silk, woolen items, fruits, vegetables, and even rubber. However, unless large numbers occur, this damage is typically minor. Though they can be irritating, house crickets are harmless to humans.

Stinging Insects

Due to Arizona's hot climate, stinging insects are a big issue for Phoenix area residents. Many species of stinging insects exist in our region, but you're most likely to see Africanized “killer" bees, hornets, yellow jackets, and various species of wasps. The nesting habits of these stinging insects can vary, but you don't want to provoke them no matter what their nest looks like.

Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations occur when a human comes into contact with bed bugs and unknowingly brings them somewhere else. They are transported as stowaways, hiding in luggage, couches, beds, pillows, backpacks, and more. Because they are so small, bed bugs can travel without being detected if you aren't looking for them. Antique, yard sale, and thrift store items are also notorious for harboring bed bugs, especially in upholstered or wicker furniture. Bed bugs cling to moving items like briefcases and can easily fall off, allowing them to relocate and spread. It's also a common occurrence that bed bugs lay eggs on these items. As the host moves, they can fall off and hatch far away from where they originally came from. Bed bugs prefer to hide in tight spaces like around mattress piping, in the corners of bed frames, within upholstered furniture, inside dresser drawers, and even behind light socket covers and hung artwork. If you find what looks like small marks made with a permanent marker on your bed sheets, bed bugs may be infesting.

Fleas

Fleas are small biting insects that are known for feeding on pets, but can also bite humans. Fleas are only 1/8 of an inch long, but they can jump up to 8 inches vertically. They are flat on the sides and have backward-facing spines on their bodies. Fleas can be spread through the house as their eggs fall off the pet as it moves through the home and the yard, but in general, they spend most of their time on the host animal. They can become an even larger issue if they begin breeding in your home. These tiny jumping pests are a true nuisance and plague Phoenix area residents that experience their activity. If you find small, red bumps around your feet and ankles, fleas could be the culprit.

Mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes are a big problem and frequently encountered pests for Phoenix area residents. Trying to enjoy time outdoors can become unbearable for those who are relentlessly bitten. Female mosquitoes bite and have a blood meal from humans, leaving behind those itchy, red welts we've all come to dread. Because mosquitoes breed on standing water, it's important to reduce the water around your property to help avoid these blood-sucking pests. Be sure to fix leaking irrigation systems, dump out your dog's outdoor water bowl every day, get rid of excess water in potted plant saucers, remove water from buckets, and avoid using bird baths on your property.

Ticks

In Arizona, there is a high likelihood that you've encountered a brown dog tick at some point. Although there are several species of ticks that live in the area, brown dog ticks are by far the most common. Tick populations surge in April and continue through October within the Phoenix area. The threat of tick-borne illness is ever-present, with both humans and pets becoming potential targets. Ticks live within brush, tall grasses, leaf piles, and tall foliage. As a host passes, ticks latch on and feed a blood meal. By doing so, they can pass on a wide variety of disease-causing pathogens. Not every tick bite will result in an ailment, but it does happen.