While it isn’t an ideal scenario, it’s common to spot the occasional bug crawling around your home. Some, like ants, are easily identifiable. But then there are common house bugs you might be unsure about.
Keep in mind that insects tend to come out more after a heavy rain or when the weather turns warm, so you don’t need to fear a massive invasion if you spot the odd bug during those times. Also, most house bugs are harmless and won’t bother you or your home. But others may bite or cause structural damage, making it important to have some sense of what you’ve come into contact with.
With that in mind, we consulted entomologists and pest control experts to learn more about the most common house bugs that are likely to show up in your place. We made sure to cover a range of critters that can surface in all areas of the country, including spiders, beetles, and those dreaded termites.
Because some bugs can be tricky to describe, we included photos of each to help you clearly identify the pest in question. These are the most common house bugs you may spot indoors, plus how concerned you should be when they’re in the vicinity.
Spiders are one of the most common bugs found all over the world. With over 45,000 known spider species, these eight-legged creatures have adapted to live in diverse environments. Many bugs have evolved physical traits that resemble spiders as a form of mimicry and protection. At a glance, these bugs look just like spiders. But on closer inspection, they are actually completely different insects or arachnids.
Spider Crickets
Spider crickets, also called cave crickets, are wingless insects that get their name from their spider-like appearance. They have long, spindly legs and bulbous bodies like a spider. In fact, they are often mistaken for wolf spiders. But spider crickets only have three pairs of legs, while spiders have four pairs. These light brown, nocturnal bugs can grow up to 2 inches long. They are adept jumpers and prefer to live in cool, damp places like caves and basements. Spider crickets likely originated in Asia but are now common invaders of American households.
Spider Beetles
As the name suggests spider beetles resemble the body shape and legginess of spiders. There are many varieties of spider beetles but they generally have a black abdomen and reddish-orange thorax. Like spiders, they have three pairs of legs. Spider beetles are found throughout North America in places like Colorado, where certain species are considered pests. They like to feed on grains, so they often infest granaries in the South.
Harvestmen
Harvestmen are a type of arachnid that look like spiders from a distance. However, harvestmen only have one body segment, while true spiders have two segments. Harvestmen also have tightly clustered eyes, unlike the spread out eyes of spiders. These creatures are found under leaves and in vegetation, where they wait to grab live insects or scavenge on dead ones. Although they resemble spiders, harvestmen do not produce silk or venom and are not considered pests.
Solifuges
Also called camel spiders or wind scorpions, solifuges bear a striking resemblance to spiders at first glance. These arachnids, found in arid climates worldwide, have four sets of legs like a spider. However, only the back two pairs are true legs. Their massive jaws are used to feed on insects, small vertebrates, and even other spiders. Solifuges are largely nocturnal and quick on their feet, making them difficult to study.
Whip Spiders
Whip spiders, a type of arachnid found in tropical climates, also mimic the form of true spiders. They get their name from their whip-like front legs that they use to sense their surroundings, much like how ants use their antennae. Whip spiders are mostly flat and gray in color with crab-like features. They are nocturnal predators, waiting patiently upside down for prey to walk below before ambushing it. They regularly eat other kinds of spiders as part of their diet.
Vinegaroons
Also called whip scorpions, vinegaroons have six legs like insects but two front legs like whips that inspired their confusing name Found in Australia and the Americas, these arachnids have a flattened body and long tail-like structure projecting from their rear. Vinegaroons prey on insects, spiders, and scorpions at night When defending themselves, they can spray an acidic mist containing acetic acid – essentially vinegar.
Ricinulei
The Ricinulei is a little-known arachnid found primarily in West Africa. As adults they have a black or dark brown coloration and a large bulbous body up to 10mm long. Their thick legs and body give them a spider-like appearance though they are not actually spiders. Ricinulei live in forest habitats and are presumed to be nocturnal. Not much is known about their biology beyond their appearance.
Pseudoscorpions
Pseudoscorpions strongly resemble true scorpions. They have an oval, flattened body and front claws just like a scorpion. But unlike their lookalikes, pseudoscorpions do not have a visible tail or stinger. They are tiny – only 2 to 5 mm long. Found worldwide, these beneficial arachnids prey on pests like clothes moths, carpet beetle larvae, and booklice in human homes.
Ant Mimics
Some species of spiders, like the jumping spider family Myrmarachne, have evolved to mimic the appearance of ants. They have an elongated black body and legs and can imitate the short, zig-zag movements of ants in order to hide from predators. There are at least 14 known species of ant-mimicking spiders, allowing them to blend in with the highly aggressive and territorial ants they live alongside.
Ticks
Ticks resemble spiders in some ways – they are both arachnids with four pairs of legs. But ticks have a very small head in proportion to their large, rounded behind. And while spiders seek out prey, ticks simply wait for hosts to walk by that they can latch onto and feed from. Ticks also have incredible resilience compared to spiders. They can survive up to 18 weeks without feeding and withstand near vacuum conditions due to their slow metabolism.
Crane Flies
Crane flies are sometimes confused for spiders like the cellar spider. They are even called “daddy longlegs” like some spider species. But crane flies hold their legs out when flying, while spiders keep legs tucked in close to the body. Crane flies have one pair of wings compared to a spider’s lack of wings. And crane flies often reside around water or in moist soil feeding on plant matter – very un-spider-like habits!
Thread-legged Bugs
Insects in the assassin bug family get mistaken for spiders like the crab spider because of their spider-like legs and body shape. But they differ by having mouthparts optimized for piercing prey and sucking out the juices. Assassin bugs also have antennae, wings, and six legs instead of eight. Their name comes from specializing in predation on spiders and other insects.
So while these bugs may resemble spiders at first glance, a closer look reveals key differences that distinguish them. When identifying local insects and arthropods, pay attention to small details like eyes, legs, wings, and antennae to differentiate spider mimics from the real deal!
Western Conifer Seed Bug
What it looks like: These bugs are shaped a bit like a stink bug and grow up to 3/4 inch long. They are a reddish-brown color, and usually have a bright yellow or orange underside with black patches.
Where you’ll find it: Western conifer seed bugs tend to congregate in the fall as they seek shelter for the winter. They can be found around baseboards, window and door moldings, openings for electrical outlets and fixtures, openings for heating or cooling vents, and other similar pathways.
Can it harm you? They do not bite or sting, but can gather in annoyingly large numbers within the home.
What it looks like: While they look similar to your standard house fly, cluster flies are often larger, about ⅓ inch long. They are dull-gray and black and have golden-yellow hairs on their bodies, which give them a golden sheen and bristly texture.
Where you’ll find it: Cluster flies head indoors to outlast the winter. You’ll likely find them in attics, under siding, and around windows and crevices on the outside of buildings. They also congregate between walls and work their way out through openings in window frames and electrical fixtures.
Can it harm you? Cluster flies aren’t venomous and do not bite, don’t lay eggs in food like house flies, and aren’t associated with transmitting diseases.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What it looks like: This creepy crawler get its name from its silvery scales and three, tail-like appendages that protrude from its abdomen. Its antennae is as long as its body and can grow up to 12 mm in length.
Where you’ll find it: Silverfish are known to feed on foods high in starches and destroy books, papers, wallpaper, and more. They are found in high-humidity environments, but are able to survive a wide range of temperatures. They usually hang out indoors in concealed, temperature-controlled areas such as bathrooms, attics, and basements.
Can it harm you? Silverfish do not bite, do not have venom, and are not poisonous if ingested. They are gross, though.
What they look like: An adult bed bug can be anywhere from ⅛ – ¼-inch in size. “They are often compared to the size of an apple seed,” says Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist with Western Exterminator. Bed bugs can range in color from a mahogany-red to light brown, “depending on when they last fed,” Troyano says.
Where you’ll find them: In general, you’ll find them around people. “Blood is their only food source,” says Glen Ramsey, a board-certified entomologist and senior technical services manager at Orkin. Bed bugs are normally nocturnal, and they’ll come out of hiding from places like a mattress to feed on sleeping or quietly resting people. Keep in mind that bed bugs get around with the help of people, points out Dan Suiter, Ph.D., professor of urban entomology at University of Georgia Extension. “If you find bed bugs in your home, you or someone you know who came to your home, brought them there from somewhere else,” he says. “They dont just appear.”
Can they harm you? Yes. “While bed bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases to humans, their bites may cause symptoms such as itching, red welts, or swelling the day after being bitten,” Ramsey says. However, “many bites can leave no mark and go completely unnoticed.”Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What it looks like: There are different types of cockroaches, but the most common are the American, German, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches, Ramsey says. “Cockroaches can measure over two inches length, with tropical species tending to be larger than those found in other climates,” Ramsey says. They have six legs, two antennae, and some even have wings. “However, most winged cockroaches are not particularly adept at flying,” Ramsey says.
Where you’ll find it: You can find cockroaches in a lot of places in your home, Troyano says. They could pop up in the bathroom—they love to snack on soap residue—dark places in your kitchen like cupboards and cabinets, laundry rooms, basements, and drains, she says.
Can it harm you? Unless you have a serious infestation, cockroaches won’t bite you. While cockroaches don’t give people diseases through bites, they can transmit food-borne illnesses from one place to another. They can also trigger asthma “because of a protein in their saliva, droppings, and on their body,” Troyano says.
What they look like: Fruit flies look like light brown flies, says Russell. They’re usually very small—about 1/8 of an inch. “There are two main types of fruit flies: the common red-eyed fruit fly and the dark-eyed fruit fly,” Ramsey says.
Where you’ll find them: Fruit flies like to hang out around fruit and produce, especially when it’s ripe, rotting, or decayed, and they’re also attracted to fermented items like beer, liquor, and wine, Ramsey says. “Fruit flies also may breed and develop in drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and mop buckets,” he adds.
Can they harm you? In general, Russell says that fruit flies “are just a nuisance.” But they have the potential to contaminate your food with bacteria and other pathogens, Ramsey says, which is why it’s so important to store produce in air-tight containers or refrigerators and inspect any fruits or vegetables brought into your home. “Also, establish a schedule to regularly clean drain lines, garbage disposals, and any location where food waste accumulates,” he says.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What it looks like: Centipedes have “long, segmented, generally flattened bodies with one pair of legs per body segment,” Russell says. They also have a pair of venomous fangs they use to take out their prey. Centipedes range from 4 to 152 millimeters in size and usually are brown or a reddish orange color.
Where you’ll find it: “House centipedes live in damp, undisturbed places, such as cellars, closets, bathrooms, and attics,” Troyano says.
Can it harm you? Some types of centipedes will bite “but do not pose a serious threat,” Troyano says. Still, a bite can still lead to some swelling and a little pain in the area.
What it looks like: As perhaps the main insect that really strikes fear in most homeowners, termites can wreak significant havoc in a short amount of time. Per Orkin, they typically measure between 1/4 and 1/2 of an inch long and have soft bodies with straight antennae. The queens and kings are larger, capable of reaching over one inch long. Their colors range from white to light brown, where worker termites often appear lighter and swarming termites darker. Flying termites, also called reproductives, have two pairs of prominent wings.
Where you’ll find it: Although termites often remain unseen behind your walls, you may notice some clues that could indicate a termite issue. These clues might include bubbling paint, mud tubes and discarded wings.
Can it harm you? Known as “silent destroyers,” termites can eat through wood—including the posts and beams that keep your home standing. Although termites cause pose a serious threat to your home, they are not known to attack or bite people and pets, and do not pose any serious health risks.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What it looks like: Earwigs are typically dark red-brown and usually stretch from 5-16 mm. Their key identifier are their pincers on the rear.
Where you’ll find it: Earwigs move into homes to find food or because of a change in weather. They usually wind up indoors while seeking shelter or just happen to wander inside through open doors. Per Orkin, homeowners often find them in areas where there is water—kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Can it harm you? There is a superstition that earwigs burrow into the ears of people while they sleep (don’t worry, that’s just a myth). Earwigs are known to pinch humans when they feel threatened but will rarely do so on purpose. Their pincers may look scary but are not very strong and will rarely break the skin. If you are bit, rest assured that earwig bites are not toxic to humans.
What it looks like: Per Orkin, there are thousands of mite species, the majority of which measure less than 1 mm in length. The most common mite species you’ll encounter are dust mites, clover mites, spider mites, bird mites, or chigger mites. Like other arachnids, their bodies are comprised of the prosoma and abdomen. Mites bear four pairs of legs.
Where you’ll find it: How mites get into the house or yard depends on their species. Clover mites often exploit tiny cracks to enter homes by the thousands. Other types, like dust mites are almost always found inside homes, while chiggers and bird mites attach themselves to hosts and hitchhike into homes on people and pets.
Can it harm you? Yes, these super small pests can do a variety of damage. Mite bites are small and usually not painful, producing only mild skin irritation. However, frequent itching caused by mites may lead to more serious infections. On the other hand, dust mites are one of the most common allergens and can even trigger asthma attacks.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Cellar Spider (a.k.a. Daddy Long Legs)
What it looks like: These are spindly spiders with long thin legs. The body of the cellar spider is usually 1/4- 5/16-inch-long, with legs extending another 2 inches.
Where you’ll find it: “You’ll always find them in a corner with a cobweb,” says Raupp. Their namesake matches their stomping grounds, including basements, attics, or other protected places. Cellar spiders are known for their webbing, continuously adding to them.
Can it harm you? Cellar spiders are not venomous and not known to bite.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What it looks like: These crickets are light brown, tan, and dark brown with a humped back. They have very long antennae, and their bodies grow between 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long.
Where you’ll find it: “You’ll find them in the basement or dark mancave,” says Raupp, as they prefer dark, moist places.
Can it harm you? No. Camel crickets do not bite and are not known to be harmful to humans and pets.
What it looks like: When you think of a stereotypical cricket, these are the ones. Adult field crickets are black and brown in color and are between 1/2 to 1 inch long. They have six legs, long antennae, and antennae-like appendages at the end of their abdomens called cerci. They also have hind wings.
Where you’ll find it: They enter buildings through open doors and windows and through cracks in foundations. You’ll likely be able to locate them through their signature chirping.
Can it harm you? No. Field crickets do not bite or carry diseases. However, once indoors, crickets may damage clothing, drapes, or wall coverings—thanks to stains from feces or by their feeding.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What they look like: These black ants are tiny. They grow between 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. When they’re crushed, they release a bad (somewhat sweet) odor, often described as rotten coconut or banana.
Where you’ll find them: Odorous house ants feed on pretty much anything, but are drawn to sweet things. So, you’ll often find them near water and food sources, like garbage cans and kitchen sinks or counters. They also nest indoors near sources of warmth, commonly in wall voids near pipes or heaters.
Can they harm you? Nope, just keep an eye on your groceries.
What it looks like: Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species in North America. Wingless types grow between ¼ to ½ inch, while those with wings can grow up to 1 inch. They are shiny, usually black or dark brown, and known for their narrow waists. They also have mandibles (jaw-like appendages) used for chomping.
Where you’ll find it: They often damage homes and other wooden structures, so they can be found in moist or decayed wood caused by exposure to water leaks, condensation, or poor air circulation.
Can it harm you? Unfortunately, yes. Carpenter ants can bite, and they’ve been known to break skin when they do, which can be painful. While they don’t use venom, they do inject an irritant called formic acid into the area, which may cause an allergic reaction. The bites usually don’t require medical attention but should be cleaned well to avoid any issues.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Spiders Could EAT US ALL!
FAQ
What looks like a spider but is not?
The spider cricket is a common American pest. This insect gets its name from its spindly, spider-like legs, but it’s not a true spider. This pest typically lives in caves and forests, but it can invade dark and damp indoor spaces. Inside, it may munch on cardboard, fabric, and other items.
What insects are similar to spiders?
arachnid: A group of invertebrate animals that includes spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks. Many have silk or poison glands.
Why are there cricket spiders in my house?
Why are Spider Crickets in my house? Spider crickets, as nuisance pests, don’t normally set out to end up inside someone’s home. However, they will make your house their home if they can find the moist, damp, dark areas they like to live in. Think about your home environment.
What are some critters that resemble spiders?
One of the most common names for these critters is “spider cricket” because they resemble spiders. Their official name is Rhaphidophoridae. They’re also known by other names like “criders”, “sprikets”, “cave weta”, “cave crickets”, “camelback crickets”, or “camel crickets.”
What does a spider bite look like?
The appearance of a spider bite can vary depending on the species of spider and individual reactions. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and itching around the bite site. Some bites may have a central blister or a small ulcer. In severe cases, the bite may cause a more extensive wound, with tissue damage or necrosis. If you suspect a spider bite or experience concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly for proper evaluation and treatment.
What does a spider beetle look like?
These bi-colored insects get their name from resembling Crab spiders. They also exhibit a large rounded abdomen. Spider beetles have a black abdomen and an orange-read thorax. They have 3 pairs of legs and they can be found in man-made structures. There are multiple Spider beetle types in North America such as the American Spider Beetle.
What makes spider beetles resemble spiders?
Spider beetles have two long extensions near their head which resemble legs, making many people think they are spiders and not beetles. They also have round bodies with a smooth carapace, or outer shell, which adds to the spider-like appearance.
Do ticks look like spiders?
There are 2 types of ticks that look similar. Both hard and soft ticks are smaller than spiders and they have a large abdomen and a small head. However, the head of ticks is considerably smaller than the head of spiders about the abdomen. The habitat can be similar for both spiders and ticks as both prefer humid environments.
What are some insects that look like ticks?
Poplar weevils, brown marmorated stink bugs, and clover mites are all insects that look like ticks. However, not every tick looking bug is a bloodsucker.