Bark scorpions in the shower. Pack rats in the engine bay. Drywood termites pellets on the windowsill. The Sonoran has a unique cast of pests, and this is your field guide to identifying, understanding, and getting rid of every one of them.
Four detailed field guides covering the species Arizona homeowners deal with most. Start here.
That tiny pale scorpion under your shoe could be the most venomous one in North America. How to spot it, treat a sting, and keep it out.
Read the guideThree spiders, three very different threats. Learn to tell black widows from recluses and wolf spiders, and what to do if you find one indoors.
Read the guideScratching above your bedroom ceiling at 2 a.m.? Here is how to tell which kind of rat you have, what they damage, and how to evict them.
Read the guidePencil-thin mud tubes mean one species. Sandy pellets on the sill mean another. How to tell them apart and stop the damage early.
Read the guideJump straight to the right guide based on what is bugging you.
Probably a bark scorpion. Most venomous in North America. Do not handle.
Identify & remove safely →Could be a black widow, recluse, or harmless wolf spider. Tell them apart first.
See the spider guide →Roof rats love palm trees and HVAC chases. Pack rats love truck engines.
Evict the rats →Drywood termite frass. Different threat than subterranean termites.
Termite field guide →Use the visual ID walkthrough to figure out what is sharing your living room.
Spider ID help →Arizona flea season is brutal. Try these natural repellents first.
Natural flea repellents →Older posts that still hold up. Useful one-off answers and quick how-tos.
A visual walkthrough for identifying common indoor spiders by markings, web type, and behavior so you know what you are dealing with.
Read article →Short answer: yes. The longer answer is which walls, how fast, and the structural damage you should actually worry about as a homeowner.
Read article →Pet-safe, low-tox options for fighting fleas in the Arizona heat, plus what actually works versus what gets recycled on every blog.
Read article →If you are dealing with structural damage, a home you can no longer live in, or just want out of the situation entirely, Own Arizona buys houses for cash. No repairs, no commissions.