Top 10 Household Pests in California
1. Ants
In parts of the South, the Red Imported Fire Ant is considered to be the number one structural pest by pest control companies. Carpenter ants seem to account for a high number of phone calls to professionals in the Pacific Northwest.
How long can ants live?
Male ants usually live for only a few weeks and die soon after mating. Worker ants can live for several months, but the queens can live for decades under the right conditions.
How big can ants get?
0.75 to 52 millimeters
How much do ants weigh?
1 to 5 milligrams
How long have ants been on earth?
92 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill ants?
Vinegar. Citrus Peel Spray. Baking Soda with Powdered Sugar. Lemon Juice.
2. Termites
Termites are one of the most destructive pests around.
Termites are social insects living in cooperative groups dividing their work among specialized members. So to the untrained eye, they can sometimes be hard to distinguish from ants. Many homeowners don’t even know they have a termite problem until damage has occurred.
How long can termites live?
Soldier termites can live up to 2 years, while queen termites can live for decades under ideal climate conditions.
How big can termites get?
Up to 1 inch long
How much do termites weigh?
1.5 to 2.5 milligrams
How long have termites been on earth?
250 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill termites?
Orange Oil. Aloe.
3. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are versatile little creatures. They can live a month without food, but only a week without water. Cockroaches thrive in all environments and live in the desert as well as the arctic.
How long can cockroaches live?
1 year
How big can cockroaches get?
50 centimeters
How much do cockroaches weigh?
30 grams
How long have cockroaches been on earth?
300 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill cockroaches?
Baking soda and sugar. Bay Leaves. Lemon Peels. Lemon Juice.
4. Rodents
Rodents are both highly beneficial mammals and significant pests. The Norway Rat, Roof Rat and House Mouse are the most common household pests in the United States.
How long can rodents live?
2 years
How big can rodents get?
3 feet from nose to tail end
How much do rodents weigh?
3 pounds
How long have rodents been on earth?
160 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill rodents?
Peppermint oil.
5. Earwigs
Despite the superstition, earwigs do not crawl into your ears at night. Earwigs are flat and brown-black in color, with pinchers, and prefer moist and cool hiding spots.
How long can earwigs live?
1 year
How big can earwigs get?
16 millimeters
How much do earwigs weigh?
2 to 4 grams
How long have earwigs been on earth?
208 million years
6. Millipedes
These brown nocturnal bugs live outdoors, but make their way indoors whenever possible. Millipedes love to eat decaying wood. They do have a distinctive odor, so you may smell them before you can see them! And although the name implies they have 1,000 feet, they actually have closer to 100 feet. But still, YUK!
How long can millipedes live?
1 to 10 years
How big can millipedes get?
1 to 2 inches
How much do millipedes weigh?
140 milligrams
How long have millipedes been on earth?
24.6 million years
7. Silverfish
Silverfish live in warm, humid spaces and tend to stay put once they find a food source. Silverfish feed on starchy products like glue, cereal and flour.
How long can silverfish live?
2 to 8 years
How big can silverfish get?
13 to 25 millimeters
How long have silverfish been on earth?
Silverfish are one of the most ancient insects on earth, predating the dinosaurs by 100 million years. Meaning they’ve been crawling around for more than 400 million years.
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill silverfish?
Cedar shavings. Citrus. Lavender.
8. Paper Wasps
There are approximately 15 species of Paper Wasps in the U.S. and Canada. They are referred to as Paper Wasps because they make their nests with paper-like materials. Their nests are found in and around homes’ eaves, behind shutters, inside outdoor lamps and even in playground equipment. Stings from Paper Wasps are extremely painful and can cause allergic reactions.
How long can paper wasps live?
The life cycle of a wasp depends on the species, but generally a paper wasp can live from 12 to 22 days, while a paper wasp queen can live up to a year.
How big can paper wasps get?
1.5 inches
How much do paper wasps weigh?
90 milligrams
How long have paper wasps been on earth?
Estimated 65 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill paper wasps?
Peppermint oil.
9. Fleas
Did you know, there are different types of fleas including the Dog Flea, Cat Flea, Squirrel Flea, and Human Flea? Fleas can cause irritation due to their bites that carry diseases. Identification of the type of flea is important in determining the control strategy.
How long can fleas live?
100 days
How big can fleas get?
1.5 to 3.3 millimeters
How much do fleas weigh?
0.45 to 1.08 milligrams
How long have fleas been on earth?
Estimated 65 to 250 million years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill fleas?
Apple cider vinegar.
10. Bed Bugs
1 out of 5 Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their home, or knows someone who has experienced bed bugs at their home or even in a hotel room.
How long can bed bugs live?
Depending on surrounding conditions, bed bugs can survive for about five months without a blood meal.
How big can bed bugs get?
0.5 centimeters
How long have bed bugs been on earth?
3,500 years
What natural ingredient can help prevent or kill bed bugs?
Eucalyptus. Lavender. Mint. Rosemary.
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Here’s even MORE facts about household pests!
1. 95% of pest professionals report treating apartments and condominiums for bed bugs.
2. The amount of food destroyed by rodents each year would be enough to feed 200+ Million people.
3. Rodents can harbor and spread more than 200 human viruses.
4. 56% of Homeowners report having problems with ants within their first year.
5. Termites cause $5 Billion in property damage each year.
6. Mosquitos are by far the most deadly insect for people.
