Household Pests

Western conifer-seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Order: HemipteraFamily: Coreidae Description The western conifer-seed bug is a common household nuisance in the fall and winter. These ...

Western bloodsucking conenose, Triatoma protracta Order: HemipteraFamily: Reduviidae Description The western bloodsucking conenose is native to Colorado. As a group, these insects are more ...

Western black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus Order: AraneaeFamily: Theridiidae Description The western black widow spider is the most common of the Latrodectus spp. inhabiting Colorado. ...

Ticks and tick-borne diseases Order: AcariFamily: Argasidae, Ixodidae Description Ticks are classified as arachnids, which includes spiders, scorpions, and mites. There are two families of ...

Termites, Reticulitermes hesperus Order: BlattodeaFamily: Rhinotermitidae Description The eastern subterranean termite is the most common termite species in Colorado. Termites are either blind ...

Spiders in the home Order: Araneae Description Western black widow spider Western black widow spiders, Latrodectus hesperus, (Family: Theridiidae) are the most dangerous spider found in the ...

Miller moths Order: LepidopteraFamily: Noctuidae Description The common name "miller moth" refers to any moth species that is abundant in or around the home. In Colorado, miller moths are most ...

Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella Order: LepidopteraFamily: Pyralidae Description The Indian meal moth is the most common species of pestiferous moth in Colorado homes. The larvae feed on ...

Harvestmen Order: OpilionesFamily: Phalangiidae, Sclerosomatidae Description In Colorado, commonly encountered harvestmen include certain Leiobunum spp. and the invasive Philangium opilio. The ...

Flies in the home Order: Diptera Description Adult flies are winged and the most frequently observed life stage. Larvae are pale, legless maggots that often migrate away from their food source ...

European paper wasp, Polistes dominula Order: HymenopteraFamily: Vespidae Description The European paper wasp is a generally black insect marked with yellow. They are fairly slender bodied with ...

European earwig, Forficula auricularia   Order: DermapteraFamily: Forficulidae Description Earwigs found in Colorado were introduced in the 1950s, they are a common nuisance pest both indoors ...

Drosophilid flies, Drosophila spp. Order: DipteraFamily: Drosophilidae Description Adults are small flies with stout bodies, measuring approximately 3 mm (1/8 inch) long, and typically have ...

Dermestid beetles Order: Coleoptera Family: Dermestidae Description Dermestid beetles are scavengers that feed on a variety of household materials derived from plant or animal matter. There are ...

Cockroaches Order: BlattodeaFamily: Blattidae, Blattellidae Description Cockroaches can feed on a wide variety of food sources but tend to prefer foods containing meat and starch. American ...

Boxelder bug, Boisea trivattata Order: HemipteraFamily: Rhopalidae Description The boxelder bug is a common household pest in Colorado. They can feed on a variety of plants, and boxelder seed ...

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius Order: HemipteraFamily: Cimicidae Description These insects have piercing/sucking mouthparts and are found worldwide, however infestations in the US have been on the ...

Ants in the home Order: HymenopteraFamily: Formicidae Description Almost anywhere in Colorado, ants will be the most common insect found in yards, gardens, fields and forests. Most ants found ...