Pest Library

Pest Library – Identify Common Pests in Los Angeles Homes

Discover what’s bugging you with our Pest Identification Guide. At LA Bugs Pest & Termite Control, we help homeowners across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Anaheim recognize, understand, and eliminate common pests in Southern California. Use this guide to identify signs of infestation and determine the right treatment plan.

Not Sure What You’re Seeing?

If you’re unsure which pest is invading your space (commercial or residential), contact LA Bugs Pest & Termite Control for a free pest inspection in Los Angeles. We’ll identify the problem, explain the risks, and create a customized treatment plan that works.

Common Pests in Los Angeles Homes

Ants

Problem: You may spot ants trailing along walls, countertops, or outdoor foundations.
Risks: Some species, like carpenter ants, can damage wood. Others, like Argentine ants, invade food and moisture sources.
Solution: Our ant exterminator services in Los Angeles eliminate colonies at the source using targeted bait and barrier treatments.

Bed Bugs

Problem: Tiny, reddish-brown insects that hide in beds, furniture, and baseboards.
Signs: Waking up with itchy bites in rows or clusters? You might have bed bugs.
Solution: We provide bed bug heat treatments that kill bugs and eggs fast — no harmful chemicals, no second guessing.

Cockroaches

Problem: Roaches carry bacteria and spread fast, especially German cockroaches.
Signs: Droppings, foul odor, and visible roaches at night.
Solution: Our professional roach control in Los Angeles includes sanitation, insect growth regulators, and crack/crevice applications.

Termites

Problem: Termites silently destroy wood and cause structural damage.
Species in CA: Drywood and subterranean termites are most common in Southern California.
Solution: We offer termite inspections in Los Angeles, localized treatment plans, and wood repair services to restore damaged areas.

Spiders

Problem: Some spiders in California, like the brown recluse, are venomous. Others simply create webs in corners and basements.
Signs: Webs, egg sacs, or visible spiders indoors.
Solution: Our spider control service targets nesting sites and applies long-lasting repellents safely around the home.

Rodents

Problem: Rats and mice cause health risks, chew wiring, and infest insulation.
Signs: Gnaw marks, droppings, foul smell, or noise in walls/attic.
Solution: Our rodent removal team uses traps, entry point sealing, and cleanup services to eliminate and prevent re-entry.

Hornets & Wasps

Problem: Hornets and wasps are aggressive, stinging insects often found around eaves, rooflines, and trees. They pose a serious threat to children, pets, and people with allergies.
Signs: They’re most active in summer and early fall, building papery nests around homes and patios. If you spot one, avoid disturbing the nest — their attacks are fast and painful.
Solution: Our technicians safely remove wasp nests in Los Angeles and apply deterrents to prevent future infestations.

Mosquitoes

Problem: Mosquitoes breed in standing water and thrive in humid, shaded areas like gardens, drains, and planters.
Signs: In addition to being a nuisance, they carry diseases like West Nile Virus. They’re most active at dusk and dawn, making outdoor time uncomfortable.
Solution: We treat mosquito hotspots with targeted fogging and residual repellents to reduce breeding and protect your property.

Moles

Problem: Moles are burrowing pests that destroy lawns and landscaping as they tunnel underground in search of grubs and insects.
Signs: Their activity results in raised ridges, soft ground, and unsightly molehills, especially in moist, shaded yards.
Solution: We offer humane mole control in Southern California, using baiting, trapping, and soil management techniques to stop their tunnels for good.

Gophers

Problem: Gophers chew roots, damage irrigation lines, and create mounds that wreck your lawn.
Signs:Common in Southern California, they can quickly overrun gardens, yards, and commercial landscapes — especially in spring and fall.
Solution: Our team provides gopher control using expert trapping, exclusion, and eco-safe deterrents to protect your property long-term.

Fleas

Problem: Fleas are small, blood-sucking insects that infest pets, bedding, carpets, and upholstery.
Signs: Their bites are itchy and irritating, and they reproduce rapidly — laying up to 50 eggs per day. A small infestation can become unmanageable in days.
Solution: We provide full-home flea extermination including treatment of pets' resting areas, carpets, and furniture.

Ticks

Problem: Ticks attach to humans and animals, feeding on blood and potentially transmitting diseases like Lyme or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Signs: They often live in grass, shrubs, and wooded areas, latching on when you walk by. Tick problems are especially common in homes with pets or near wildlife paths.
Solution: Our tick treatment covers yards, pet zones, and hiding spots using EPA-approved products safe for kids and pets.

Mites

Problem: Mites are microscopic pests that infest bedding, upholstery, or plants. Some species bite humans, causing rashes or allergic reactions.
Signs:They’re often invisible to the naked eye, but infestations can be felt through skin irritation, itching, or plant damage.
Solution: Our mite control service includes detailed inspection, elimination of nesting zones, and sanitation of infested surfaces.

Carpenter Ants

Problem: Carpenter ants chew through wood to build nests — often inside walls, attics, or beams. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but can still cause structural damage.
Signs: Large, black ants trailing indoors or sawdust near woodwork are common signs of infestation.
Solution: We use baiting, wall void treatments, and moisture control to remove carpenter ants in Los Angeles homes effectively.

Earwigs

Problem and signs: Earwigs are small, pinch-backed insects that hide in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and under mulch.Though mostly harmless, they multiply quickly and can become a nuisance indoors — especially during warm, humid months.
Solution: We provide perimeter treatments and moisture control strategies to eliminate earwigs and prevent them from coming back.