General information
The Pest Guide explains common observations and questions. It cannot inspect your property, identify a specimen with certainty, diagnose a health condition, or choose a treatment for you. Stylized illustrations are not diagnostic photographs or exact scale drawings.
Health concerns
Skin marks and symptoms can have many causes. Do not use an article or a bite pattern to diagnose an infestation or illness. Contact an appropriate healthcare professional about symptoms; use local emergency services for an emergency.
Pesticides and other products
Use the current label for the exact product and application site, and follow applicable local requirements. A page cannot extend the label, supply a missing authorization, or establish safety for a particular household, child, pet, aquarium, or crop. Consult a qualified professional when uncertain.
Wildlife and local rules
Wildlife protections and permitted control methods vary by species, season, and jurisdiction. Consult the responsible local agency before handling, relocating, excluding, or disturbing wildlife. Do not approach an animal because a general description suggests it is harmless.
Identification and building damage
Use the guide to organize observations and questions. A reliable identification may require a specimen, clear photographs, local expertise, or an on-site inspection. Suspected structural damage needs an assessment by a qualified professional.
To report inaccurate information, see our corrections policy.