Lincoln Square Pest Control

Most Common Pests in Lincoln Square, IL

Whether you have an active infestation or want to prevent one from happening in the future, the experienced team at Terminix Chicago has you covered. Chicago is home to many species of insects, rodents, and wildlife. Learn more about the most common pests in the area by reading below.

Termites

Termites swarm in the spring and through early summer. As termite colonies grow and their activity increases, they can cause significant damage to your home. Wooden features throughout your home such as support beams, flooring, and window and door frames can be severely damaged if an infestation isn't controlled. Clogged gutters may give termites an enhanced opportunity to establish or maintain a termite colony given the significant moisture and protected surroundings.

Eastern subterranean termites are the most common termite species in the Chicago area. Eastern subterranean termites live in colonies underground, and can be found throughout your yard and within decaying tree stumps, firewood piles, and mulch beds. If you find signs of termites, such as mud tubes across the sill plate and up the walls of your basement, termites are foraging and active. Though termites are not parasitic pests and do not actively seek humans or bite, they can cause serious damage to the wooden integrity of your home and belongings.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are notoriously problematic for residents of the Chicago area. Unfortunately for homeowners and renters, cockroaches can infest when food and water sources are consistently available. Poor sanitation such as leaving out food or dirty dishes can encourage an infestation since this type of clutter provides a good food source for the roaches. Cockroaches also are drawn to less frequented areas near sewers and drainage or they can live among the moisture and clutter made by boxes and papers left in your basement, electrical room, or crawl space. These pests are well known for being resilient and can be tough to eliminate, quickly multiplying indoors.

Oriental, German, and American cockroaches are the most abundant locally. 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 very strong flyers, allowing them to migrate from building to building. Without addressing a cockroach infestation, they can multiply quickly. Connected units such as condos, townhomes, row homes, and apartments are especially susceptible to cockroach infestations.

Mice

Even the cleanest of homes can fall victim to mouse infestations. Common house mice can squeeze through holes much smaller than their body size, making it possible for them to get into your home through even the smallest of holes on the exterior of your house. Mice can fit into holes as small as a dime and can quickly slip into your home, into your basement or garage, unnoticed. Once indoors, they 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

Chicago is heavily populated with Norway rats, which you have probably heard called “brown rats" or “sewer rats," and roof rats, or “black rats." Thousands of residents and business owners in the Chicago area have experienced rats on their property, with Chicago being dubbed the most rat-infested city in the U.S. multiple years in a row.

Rats have teeth that constantly grow, which fuels their need to gnaw. Cinder blocks, piping, and other materials are easily destroyed by rat activity. When indoors, Norway rats will nest on lower levels of your home, but if the population grows too large, they can migrate toward your attic or ceiling. Norway rats build their nests out of soft materials they gather in the area such as paper or grass chewed into small pieces they gather from surrounding areas. Rats typically search for food outdoors, but many times will come inside manmade structures at night to gather food and return to their burrows. They can travel hundreds of feet outdoors and in between connected units, which could mean that you are suffering from your neighbor's rat issue. No matter what species, rats need a water source to survive, but they're not too picky. They can get water from toilets, sinks, rain puddles, or condensation from utility pipes.

Silverfish

Silverfish, also called "bristletails," are shaped like a flattened carrot and are silver or gray. They grow to be between ½-¾" long and have three tail-like appendages at the tip of the abdomen. Silverfish are primarily active at night and can run quickly. They are usually found in areas with relatively high levels of humidity and moisture, and their flat bodies allow them to live in tight spaces. This means bathrooms, attics, garages, crawl spaces, and basements are especially vulnerable to silverfish activity. Silverfish feed on foods with carbohydrates and proteins including paper, small insects, and paste in addition to other things commonly found around homes such as cereal, clothing, and insulation. Because they eat mold, persistent silverfish activity can indicate mold problems, water damage, or broken/leaking utility pipes.

House Ants

As a homeowner, you've probably come face to face with an ant infestation at least once. Their strong presence throughout the Chicago area leads to frequent ant invaders living side by side with humans. Small black ants that crawl indoors and around your property are most likely one of the ant species we refer to as "house ants." These pests are going to survey their entire environment and if your home is within their surveying territory, it gets included in the areas that they are scouting for food. If they don't find food, they may re-scout those areas periodically. However, if they find a food resource, then that may cause persistent activity.

Spiders

All spiders have eight legs and two body parts, but they can come in all different sizes, shapes and colors. Unlike most pests, spiders usually wander indoors unintentionally. While essentially all spiders are venomous, very few species are harmful to humans, or even capable of biting through the skin. Most spiders will not even try to bite, but if they do people may react as if a bee stung them (some people end up having allergic reactions). Secluded corners, garages, basements, crawlspaces, cabinets, closets, and attics are ideal hiding places for house spiders because of the small amount of foot traffic. Most house spiders are harmless and feed on other tiny insects that could be roaming around your house.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are small, brown insects that are typically found in the spring and fall when indoors. They are about ½" long and come in several shades of brown, with six legs, wings, and a set of antennae. Stink bugs make their way indoors beginning in late summer to overwinter in wall voids, chimneys, and attics. Once they enter a house or commercial building, they will remain indoors all winter long. As the weather warms up and spring arrives, stink bugs will emerge throughout your home as they try to make their way outdoors once again. Although they do not harm humans, they can be troublesome for residents if they invade a home in large numbers, which can be frustrating when they become active. Other overwintering pests you should look out for in Chicago include boxelder bugs and ladybugs.

Centipedes

Centipedes are well known for their large number of legs. You'll most likely find centipedes in darker, moist environments such as your basement, attic, crawlspace, garage, bathroom, or under dishwashers and appliances. Because they have flat bodies, centipedes can slip into your home undetected through gaps around window and door frames, foundation cracks, and more. Much like spiders, centipedes also feed on smaller household pests. If there are other pest issues in your home, centipedes can infest.

Earwigs

Earwigs are a less common pest within Chicago, mostly infesting single-family homes or first-floor townhomes. Some typical 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 points and harborages aren't addressed, then it can become problematic for homeowners who are trying to control the infestation.

Crickets

Common house crickets can be found in laundry rooms, storage spaces, behind baseboards, under appliances, attics, and other spaces in your home that aren't as frequently utilized. Cricket infestations are not only difficult to control, but they are also very noisy and bothersome while they chirp at night. House crickets can destroy paper, damage silk, woolen items, fruits, and vegetables all kinds of foods, and even rubber. However, unless large numbers occur, this damage is typically minor. Though they can be irritating, house crickets are not parasitic and do not harm humans.

Paper Wasps

Paper Wasps are one of the first insects to become active in the spring as the temperatures begin to warm. Wasps will also remain active throughout the entire summer as they continue to build their nests virtually anywhere, inside window frames, on overhangs, in attic vents, under outdoor furniture, or on play equipment. They are mildly aggressive and can sting if they feel threatened or if you get too close to the nest. Do not attempt to get rid of a wasp nest on your own. Contact your local Terminix branch for help.

Bed Bugs

Chicago is notorious for bed bug infestations because of the crowded populations and constant influx of travelers. Bed bug infestations can happen in the blink of an eye, and 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. It's also a common occurrence that bed bugs lay eggs on these items. 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 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 maybe be infesting.

Fleas

Fleas are small biting insects that are known for feeding on pets, but can also bite humans. Fleas are only ⅛" long, but they can jump up to eight inches vertically. They are flat on the sides and have backward-facing spines on their bodies. Fleas can spread through the house as their eggs fall off the pet as it moves through the home and the yard, but they generally spend most of their time on the host animal. They can become an even larger issue if they breed in your home. These tiny jumping pests are a true nuisance and plague Chicago 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 by residents of the Chicago metro area. They lay eggs on outdoor surfaces where even a small amount of water has gathered. During humid weather and after rainfall, mosquito populations will increase. Trying to enjoy time outdoors can become unbearable for those who are relentlessly bitten. In the winter months, mosquitoes do not die off but remain in diapause, staying dormant until it warms back up again in the spring. So, although there is relief from mosquitoes in the winter, they will return when the weather improves.

Ticks

Black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks are the most common tick species across Illinois and Chicago in particular. Tick populations surge in the spring and summer, tapering off with the first frost in late fall. 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 pathogens that can cause illnesses like Lyme disease, Tularemia, babesiosis, Powassan disease, and more.