Pests in Phoenix, AZ
Learn about the pests that live in Phoenix to better protect yourself and your home against infestations.
What are ants?
Ants live in colonies usually made up of three castes; queens, which are female reproductives, workers or non-reproductive females, and reproductive males. Most ant colonies have multiple queens that produce many workers and larger colonies. However, colonies of any size can be overwhelming when they infest your property.
There are several types of ant species in our area:
- Fire Ants - Reddish-brown to black, 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch long
- Forelius - Dark brown to yellowing-orange, 1/12 of an inch long
- Nylanderia Fulva - Reddish-brown, 1/8 of an inch long
- Tapinoma Sessile - Brown or black, 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long
- Camponotus - Red, black, or a combination of the two; 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch long
- Tetramorium caespitum - Reddish-brown to black, 1/8 of an inch long
What are beetles?
Beetles are insects with wings and wing covers, which create a shell-like body. The wing covers create a straight line down the middle of the back, which is one way you can identify these pests as beetles. They come in many different color variations and sizes.
Three beetles that are common in our area are:
- Palo Verde Beetle
- Desert Stink Beetle
- Carpet Beetle
What are cockroaches?
Cockroaches are known as some of the “dirtiest” pests because of the places they inhabit, such as sewers and dumpsters. Unfortunately, cockroaches pick up dangerous pathogens in these places, which they carry and spread. These pathogens can lead to E. coli, salmonellosis, cholera, and more.
Four types of cockroaches in our area are:
- American - Reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-eight pattern behind the head, 1 1/4 to 2 1/8 inches long
- Oriental - Shiny black, 1 inch long
- Brown-banded - Light brown with two dark brown bands around the wings and abdomen, 1/2 an inch long
What are crickets?
Crickets are nocturnal insects known for the chirping sounds they make. These sounds are created by male crickets rubbing their wings together to attract a mate. Crickets are subsocial insects, which means they mostly live alone, but do provide some care to offspring.
The types of crickets found in our area include:
- House - Yellowish-brown with three dark stripes on the head, 1 inch long or less
- Tropical House - Yellowish tan with two black bands, 3/4 to 1-inch long
- Field - Primarily black, but can have some brown variations; 1/2 to 1-inch long
What are scorpions?
Scorpions are arachnids with eight legs, a hard exoskeleton, two pincers, and a curved tail that ends in a stinger. Most scorpions are nocturnal, spending their days in caves or other harborage areas and hunting for prey at night because scorpions usually become a problem in homes experiencing other pest issues.
- Bark - Tan with a darker color on the back, up to 2 1/2 inches long
- Giant Hairy - Usually yellow with a dark color on top, 5 ½ inches long
- Stripetail - Light tan to brown, 2 to 3 inches long
What are spiders?
Spiders are arachnids, and despite common misconceptions, all spiders have fangs and venom used to subdue prey. While most of the spiders we are familiar with build webs to catch their prey, some species actively hunt, living in burrows or other protected places.
Common spiders species in our area include:
- Black Widow
- Arizona
- Tarantula
- Daddy Long Legs
- Wolf
- Jumping
- Funnel-Web
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