5 Most Common Types Of Pests In North Carolina - Identification and Removal

There are many types of bugs that can be found in North Carolina, but there are some that are more common than others. In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 most common types of bugs in North Carolina, how to identify them, and how to get rid of these pests from your home!

Mosquitoes In North Carolina

The most common type of bug in North Carolina is the mosquito. Mosquitoes can be identified by their long legs and thin body. They are black or brown in color and often swarm around people and animals. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus, so it is important to take precautions against them. 

Mosquitoes in North Carolina can be found most commonly near standing water because mosquitoes use standing water as their breeding grounds, so make sure to check your yard for any stagnant pools of water such as bird feeders, non-moving creeks, or soft marshy land. 

Because mosquitoes can be such a pest in North Carolina, it's advised to use mosquito repellent when you're spending long periods of time outdoors, as well as use natural mosquito prevention tools such as citronella candles or plant plants such as lavender or rosemary.

Ants In North Carolina

Ants are another common pest in North Carolina.  They can be identified by their long antennae and small, black bodies. Ants are attracted to food, so it's important to keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs or spills. If you do find an ant infestation in your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them:

-Purchase ant bait traps to reduce the ant population around your home by having them bring the treatment back to their colony.

-Use ant spray treatments directly on the ants as well as along their common walking paths, such as Raid.

-Place cucumber peels near the ants' entrance points; the cucumber smell will deter them

-Put boric acid powder where they're nesting

Ant infestations in North Carolina are more prevalent during the summer months and since there are so many ants in an individual colony it is very easy for them to get overwhelming.

Cockroaches In North Carolina

There are three different types of cockroaches that can be found in North Carolina: the American, Oriental and German cockroach.

American Cockroaches

The American cockroach is the largest of the three and typically has a reddish-brown color. They often invade homes through sewer systems or drain pipes. These types of cockroaches have fully developed wings and can fly. They are very food motivated are can find leftovers and crumbs in your kitchen. When you think of a cockroach, these are generally the type of cockroaches that you'll think about. 

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are smaller than the American roach and are black in color, and can often be called water bugs. They commonly infest basements and crawl spaces because they like to live in areas that are damp and have high humidity. 

Fully grown there are around 1 inch in length and have a shiny black back which is their key giveaway. 

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are small, fully grown they are between half an inch and three-fourths an inch in length. They are light brown in color and sometimes have a slight yellowish tint, and they're also the most common type of roach found in North Carolina homes. These types of cockroaches also have fully developed wings, but they rarely use them.

These types of cockroaches are extremely quick and can be difficult to catch or kill. 

Bed Bugs In North Carolina

 Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that can be reddish-brown or black in color. They're about the size of an apple seed when fully grown and usually feed on human blood at night. They're also difficult to get rid of because they are excellent at hiding inside sheets and blankets, in furniture, or under your carpet. 

Although they don't carry any diseases, bed bugs can cause a great deal of itchiness and irritation from their bites, and can seriously ruin your sense of peace of mind and your sleep schedule.

Bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of on your own, so we recommend using a professional service to help get rid of your bed bug infestation.

Spiders In North Carolina

There are a number of different types of spiders found in North Carolina, but the three most common ones are the black widow spider, the brown recluse spider, cellar spiders, giant house spiders, orb-weaver spiders, and the hobo spider.

Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider is easily identified by its shiny black body and red hourglass-shaped marking on its abdomen. These spiders are venomous and their bite can be quite dangerous, so it's important to stay away from them if you see them.

Brown Recluse

The brown recluse spider is identifiable by its dark violin-shaped marking on its head and light yellowish coloring. This species is also venomous, and its bite can cause serious skin damage.

Hobo Spider

The hobo spider gets its name from the fact that it's often found living in close proximity to human habitation. These are larger spiders that range from half an inch long to up to an inch. They are light brown in color with pale markings around their abdomen.

Cellar Spider

The cellar spider is also known as the daddy longlegs spider because of its very long legs. This spider is generally pale yellow or greenish-white in color and has no markings on its body.

Giant House Spider

The giant house spider is the largest species of common North Carolina spiders, with some individuals growing up to two inches long. These spiders are generally dark brown or black in color, with two white stripes running down the center of their backs.

Learn more about poisonous spiders in North Carolina!

Get in Touch with Pest Control Experts in NC

If you are experiencing any problems with pests in your home, it is best to identify the issue as soon as possible and take action to get rid of them. The five types of bugs listed above are some of the most common pests found in North Carolina homes, but there are many other types of pests that can cause damage or pose a threat to your health. For example, during Spring many homeowners see an influx in carpenter bees burrowing in their porch and around their home. So you'll need to keep a lookout for carpenter bee droppings which are a telltale sign of an infestation! For more information on identifying and dealing with common household pests, contact Terminix Triad today!