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How to Identify Household Pests
How to Identify Household Pests. Household pests come in various shapes, sizes and colors. Identifying the type of insect that is plaguing your home or garden varies in difficulty. Once you have determined the type of pest, it will be easier to eradicate it -- either through measures that you can take to remove the pest yourself or by hiring an...
Household pests come in various shapes, sizes and colors. Identifying the type of insect that is plaguing your home or garden varies in difficulty. Once you have determined the type of pest, it will be easier to eradicate it -- either through measures that you can take to remove the pest yourself or by hiring an exterminator who will be able to target the insect directly.
Things You'll Need
Magnifying glass
Container
Observe the pest. Make note of its appearance. Match your description with a chart of insects in order to best identify it such as that provided by Virginia Tech (see Resources).
Observe the pest with a magnifying glass if it is too small to see with the naked eye. Catch if it possible and put it in a container for observation. Make note of its shape and color if you are able to catch it. If it is too small to see and too fast to catch, note the characteristics of the insect and compare it to illustrated insects on a chart.
Notice the damage or sting of the insect if you are not able to see it in action. Note the characteristics of the damage or sting and use a chart to identify it. For example, moths are known to damage fabric.
View a fact sheet of common household pests if you already think you know what the pest is and want to learn more about it.
Tips & Warnings
A good exterminator should also be able to identify your household pests for you.
