Ants
Ants have three body regions, elbowed antennae, and a narrow waist. Winged reproductive ants have unequal front and rear wings.
Read the ants guide →Pest library
Mission Viejo Pest Identification & Prevention Guide
Compare appearance, behavior, habitat, and physical evidence before choosing a response. A bite, noise, or damaged item may have several possible causes.
Termites
Termites have straight-looking antennae, a broad waist, and—on swarmers—two pairs of similarly sized wings. Workers are pale and usually hidden.
Read the termites guide →Rats
Rats are larger rodents with robust bodies and droppings generally larger than those of mice. Roof rats are agile climbers with tails longer than their head and body.
Read the rats guide →Mice
House mice are small rodents with proportionally large ears, pointed muzzles, and small pointed droppings.
Read the mice guide →Cockroaches
Cockroaches are flattened insects with long antennae. Species size, color, markings, and where the insect was found help determine whether it breeds indoors.
Read the cockroaches guide →Spiders
Spiders have eight legs and two main body regions. Web type, body pattern, and habitat are useful identification clues.
Read the spiders guide →Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs are flat, oval, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Nymphs are smaller and paler.
Read the bed bugs guide →Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are slender flies with long legs and a projecting mouthpart. Larvae live in water and move with a characteristic wriggle.
Read the mosquitoes guide →Fleas
Adult fleas are tiny, dark, laterally flattened insects built for moving through fur. They jump but do not fly.
Read the fleas guide →Ticks
Ticks are eight-legged arachnids. Unfed ticks are flat; their size and markings vary by species and life stage.
Read the ticks guide →Bees & Wasps
Bees are generally hairier and adapted to collect pollen; wasps often appear smoother with a narrow waist. Nest form and flight behavior help identification.
Read the bees & wasps guide →Gophers
Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents with strong forelimbs, small eyes and ears, and fur-lined cheek pouches. They are rarely seen above ground.
Read the gophers guide →