The Pest Guide is an English-language editorial guide to the pests people encounter in homes, gardens, and yards. Its purpose is to make identification and the next questions easier: what an animal looks like, where it lives, what similar species might be confused with it, and when a local professional can help.
How to use this guide
Start with the Pest Library to compare groups and species. Use Common Questions for a specific problem, or browse Home Pests, Garden Pests, and Wildlife for your setting. Species sheets and questions link to one another so a single sighting can lead to a more informed investigation.
Who publishes the guide
This site is published under the name The Pest Guide. Articles carry the publication name as their organizational byline. We do not present that byline as a named entomologist, clinician, or licensed pest-control professional. Editorial inquiries and corrections belong on our contact page.
Writing and illustrations
The production process uses research dossiers, AI-assisted writing, and editorial revision. AI assistance is also used to create the site's stylized illustrations. These characters are designed to make the library easier to browse; they are not photographs, diagnostic images, or exact scale drawings. An illustration alone cannot establish an identification.
Our scope
The main audience is in the United States. Some pages address other regions explicitly. Species distribution, seasons, product registrations, and wildlife rules vary by location. A general article cannot inspect your building, diagnose a bite, or decide which treatment is appropriate for your situation.
Read our editorial policy and safety information for the boundaries of the guide.