You may be surprised by which house bugs are helpful and which are dangerous. Either way, we’ll show you how to get rid of them and keep them away.
The 16 Most Disgusting House Bugs and How To Get Rid of Them
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Meal Moths
Meal moths, often known as pantry moths, love to get into food such as flour, beans and dried fruit. They also eat through pet food and even your Christmas ornaments. These moths don’t carry disease, so you can eat the food after you pick out the dead bodies and freeze the food for at least four days. Or, just pitch it!
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Fruit Flies
If fruit flies and their eggs have invaded your kitchen, use this trick to get rid of them: Mix a small squirt of dish soap with some vinegar (apple cider vinegar works great) or even some wine to get rid of these flat black bugs. Place it in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Poke some holes in the top. The fruit flies will get in and become trapped.
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Crickets
Some species of crickets, such as the Jerusalem cricket, can bite humans if provoked. Still, it’s rare for these critters to bite. “The cricket species kids run into in North America are basically harmless,” says Joseph Spagna, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at William Paterson University. “I handle the common ‘house cricket’ Acheta domesticus in my behavior classes regularly, with bare hands, and they have never bitten me.”
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Beetles
“Larger beetles, like large stag beetles, can do some damage with their massive mouthparts, usually when they feel threatened or if they’re trying to steady themselves,” says James Daniel Ricci, an entomologist and co-founder and chief technology officer of Ovipost. “Usually this is pretty mild, barely more than a stubbed toe or a pinprick. Ice the area if it’s at all bruised and use a bandage if necessary.”
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Millipedes
“It’s not an insect, but millipedes, the friendly, docile relatives of centipedes, can hurt humans when they’re threatened,” says Ricci. “The yellow-spotted millipede will curl into a ball when threatened, and leak hydrogen cyanide, a strong poison, onto the person holding it. This isn’t usually enough to kill a human, but you definitely should wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your face or eating food immediately after!”
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Mosquitoes
Throughout the world, more people are killed by mosquito-borne illness than by any other factor. In the United States, mosquitoes can spread different types of encephalitis and transmit heartworms to pets such as dogs and cats.
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Centipedes
There’s nothing more terrifying than watching a house centipede shoot across your floor and under your couch. Most people are understandably scared of these creepy crawlers. House centipedes typically have 15 legs and can travel 1.3-feet-per-second, making them nearly impossible to catch. The typical response probably involves a shoe, but like many insects, house centipedes serve a useful purpose.
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Fleas
If your pets have brought fleas into your home, you’ll know it. These pests may be small, but they jump around a lot and bite, especially in the warmer months. If you are bugged by a flea infestation, here’s how to get rid of fleas the right way. And the best form of prevention is to protect your pets with flea treatments.
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Spiders
Bothered by spiders setting up shop inside your house? Spiders often come indoors seeking warmth and food. We all know they prey on other insects, which can be a benefit, but do you really want to share your home with them? You can get rid of spiders with patience and the right tactics—but act quickly before they can lay their eggs!
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Flies
The United States is home to many species of flies, from drain flies and blowflies to houseflies and gnats. Regardless of the type, they’re all annoying when they make it inside your home.
Flies are not only troublesome but can also carry disease and are a health hazard if left untreated. So if you experience regular, annoying flies, it’s time to take care of them.
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Termites
Termites can cause severe damage to your home. They are a particularly troublesome pest and are notoriously difficult to get rid of. If you notice any of these wood-chewing creatures or signs of their activities, it’s crucial to deal with them immediately!
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Gnats
Gnats can prove particularly annoying once they get inside your house—especially since it can be difficult to notice them until an infestation is underway. Gnats have short lifespans, so if you don’t give them a place to reproduce, these house bugs won’t be a problem anymore.
While gnats don’t necessarily eat rotting fruit or vegetables, they may still linger around trash. To discourage them, close your trash cans tightly and bag all garbage thoroughly so no gnats or fruit flies will find a way to them.
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Bed Bugs
Before you can do anything about preventing a bed bug infestation, you’ll need to identify what the pest looks like and where it likes to hide. Bed bugs have small, flat, oval-shaped bodies that are wingless and brown in color. They hide in mattresses, bed frames, bedding, furniture, carpets, baseboards and bedroom clutter.
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Cockroaches
Cockroaches are notorious for being hard to track down and remove permanently. However, they have a weakness—they only linger in areas rich in resources. Learn how to get rid of cockroaches and shut down their food supplies so these house bugs stay gone for good.
For prevention, don’t give cockroaches any hiding places to run to when discovered. Most importantly, remove any debris or unnecessary supplies from your house. That includes stacks of cardboard, magazines and newspapers which cockroaches love. Try to keep everything off the floor unless it is necessary to store it there.
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Ants
When you see an ant, your first impulse is probably to step on it. But don’t. You’ll kill it, but for every ant you see, there may be hundreds more hiding in the house. The ones you see are scout ants, foraging for food to take back to the colony. Use these scouts to wipe out the entire colony of house bugs.
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Ticks
These pests are dangerous to humans and pets because they can carry diseases and preparing your home can help keep ticks away.
FAQ
Why do bugs come into my house?
Bugs enter your home primarily looking for food and shelter.
What natural methods work for repelling bugs?
One of the most effective methods is to keep your home clean and well-sealed. Vacuum regularly and clean up spills right away. Empty the trash and store it away from your home until you dispose of it. Also, seal any gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior to prevent bugs from getting in.
When should I call pest control?
If DIY methods have failed and the bug population seems to be increasing, it’s time to call pest control.
About the Experts
- James Daniel Ricci is an entomologist and the co-founder and chief science officer of Ovipost, a company that produces automation equipment for rearing insects.
- Ian Williams is a board-certified entomologist who specializes in urban entomology and is a technical services manager for Rollins Inc.
- Joseph Spagna, Ph.D., was an associate professor of biology at William Paterson University.
