There are many small pests in our area that can come into houses by accident but do little or no damage. They can be annoying as they bang on windows, or lamps, and some can look quite scary. Examples are earwigs, boxelder bugs, sow bugs, and pill bugs.

Earwigs

Earwigs are harmless, but these one-inch insects are scary looking because of the big pinschers on their abdomens (these are used to fend off ants that attack them from the rear). Earwigs are attracted by light and so can be a nuisance when then blunder into a house and fly around lamps. Screens and sealing doors and windows is good prevention.

Sow Bugs

Sow bugs are small segmented crustaceans with many legs (distantly related to lobsters and shrimp). They like dampness and are found in damp debris. They sometimes come into cellars and other damp places from the outside. They do no harm, and dehumidifying can help control them. Removal of debris and mulch from around the structure can keep them from coming inside easily.

Pill Bugs

Pill bugs are similar to sow bugs but curl up into a round "pill" when touched. They can be controlled in the same way as sow bugs.

Silverfish

Silverfish are soft-bodied insects that have no wings. They live in damp places and damage paper and other stored materials and some food. Good housekeeping and prevention of dampness can help control these pests.

Centipedes

Centipedes in our area can be an inch long. They are somewhat flattened,  have many legs, and are fast moving. They are attracted to dampness and are usually found in damp cellars. They eat insects and other small prey, but do not damage human food or possessions. The house centipede in our area has difficulty biting through human skin but the larger centipedes in other parts of the country can bite people. Reduction of dampness and damp organic matter around the outside of a structure can control centipedes.

Millipedes

Millipedes are small black round-bodied pests that look something like worms. However, they have two pairs of legs on each segment. They are slow-moving and, like centipedes, are attracted to dampness and organic debris. They curl up into a "C" shape when disturbed and remain motionless. They do no harm to people or possessions, but can be very annoying when they come into a structure in large numbers. Usually, they die soon after they appear, especially if water is not available. However, in large numbers, their bodies can make quite a mess.

Daddy Long Legs

The daddy long legs is a spider relative, cannot bite, and has no venom. It is harmless, but looks frightening. Daddy long legs eat decaying animal and vegetable matter is an accidental visitors to human structures, and is usually not present in great numbers.

Summary | Earwigs | Sow Bugs | Pill Bugs | Silverfish | Centipedes | Millipedes | Daddy Long Legs | Top of Page | Pest Guide