The AML pest library
What’s bugging you?
Start with the clues. Explore common pests and the signs you might notice, then ask AML about your specific concern.
Educational guidance, not a confirmed identification. The illustrations are stylized. An entry here does not promise a specialty service; AML confirms what it can offer for your situation.
Crawling insectsAnts
The trail is a clue, not a species identification. Note its route and any food or moisture nearby. Different ants need different approaches; a clear photo and the trail's location are useful details to share.
Signs you may notice
- A trail leading toward food or water
- Repeated activity around a window, sink, or doorway
- Ants entering through a visible gap
Where to look for clues
Kitchens, bathrooms, around plants, and along accessible entry points.
Ask about antsSources & further reading
Crawling insectsCockroaches
Some cockroaches mainly live outdoors and enter buildings; others can live and reproduce inside. Identification helps explain what repeated sightings mean. Record where you saw them and any nearby food or moisture.
Signs you may notice
- Live roaches, especially after dark
- Possible egg cases in sheltered areas
- Repeated activity near appliances or plumbing
Where to look for clues
Sheltered areas with food or moisture; the location depends on the species.
Ask about cockroachesSources & further reading
Biting insectsBed Bugs
Skin marks alone cannot confirm bed bugs. Record physical evidence and avoid moving loose belongings into another room. AML offers bed bug treatment; the evaluation and preparation need to match your situation.
Signs you may notice
- Live insects around bedding or furniture seams
- Small dark spots or rusty marks
- Shed skins or possible eggs
Where to look for clues
Mattress seams, bed frames, and nearby furniture or small hiding spaces.
Explore bed bug treatmentSources & further reading
RodentsMice & Rats
A sound alone cannot identify the animal. Share the timing and location of the evidence with AML. Avoid sweeping or vacuuming suspected rodent waste; use CDC's cleanup guidance before handling contaminated material.
Signs you may notice
- Droppings or disturbed nesting material
- Gnawed packaging or other visible damage
- Repeated noises together with other evidence
Where to look for clues
Food-storage areas, garages, attics, and other sheltered parts of a property.
Explore rodent controlSources & further reading
Other visitorsSpiders
Spiders are predators, and many feed on insects around a property. A web or a brown color does not identify a dangerous species. Photograph from a distance when possible, avoid handling unfamiliar spiders, and note recurring sightings.
Signs you may notice
- An eight-legged animal
- Webs in sheltered corners
- Repeated sightings near clutter or stored items
Where to look for clues
Corners, storage spaces, garages, and sheltered areas around the building.
Ask about spidersSources & further reading
Biting insectsFleas
Flea concerns can involve an animal and its surroundings. Speak with your veterinarian about products for a pet, and note where activity occurs around the property. Do not use a household pesticide on an animal unless its label specifically permits it.
Signs you may notice
- Small insects on a pet or near its resting area
- Possible flea dirt in the coat
- Continued activity around bedding or rugs
Where to look for clues
On animal hosts and in areas where pets rest, indoors or outside.
Ask about fleasSources & further reading
Flying insectsMosquitoes
Check water-holding items such as buckets and saucers. CDC recommends emptying and scrubbing, covering, or turning over suitable containers weekly. Keep window and door screens in good condition.
Signs you may notice
- Mosquito activity around the property
- Water collecting in containers
- Adults resting in shaded, humid areas
Where to look for clues
Around standing water and sheltered resting areas; indoors through openings.
Ask about mosquitoesSources & further reading
Flying insectsWasps & Yellowjackets
Repeated traffic may indicate a nest. Do not disturb it to get a closer photo. Keep your distance and note the location and pattern of activity. Nest type alone does not identify every species.
Signs you may notice
- Repeated flights into one opening
- A visible paper nest
- Yellowjackets gathering around exposed food
Where to look for clues
Depending on the species, sheltered exterior spaces, ground openings, or building cavities.
Ask about a nestSources & further reading
Crawling insectsSilverfish
Silverfish and related firebrats often hide by day. Moisture, food, and hiding places can support activity. Document the location, check for dampness, and keep paper and food storage dry.
Signs you may notice
- Small, silvery insects darting into cover
- Surface damage to paper or book bindings
- Sightings in humid storage areas
Where to look for clues
Bathrooms, laundry areas, closets, and storage with paper or starchy materials.
Ask about silverfishSources & further reading
Other visitorsCentipedes & Millipedes
These are different animals: centipedes hunt small prey, while millipedes usually feed on decaying material. Moisture and entry points may help explain indoor visits. Avoid handling them and note when and where they appear.
Signs you may notice
- A long body with many legs
- Fast-moving centipedes or slower millipedes
- Millipedes that curl when disturbed
Where to look for clues
Damp sheltered areas, leaf debris, and occasionally inside buildings.
Ask about these visitorsSources & further reading
No matching pests. Try another clue, or contact AML for help describing what you’ve seen.
Your local pest control team
Let’s talk about what’s bugging you.
Tell us what you’ve noticed. We’ll help you take the next step toward the right pest control service.