Pests in Baltimore
Top Rated Baltimore Residential and Commercial Pest Control
As the top Baltimore Pest Control company, we have learned a lot about the pests in Baltimore. Here you will find the most common pests in Baltimore and more information about them. Most of these pests are more than a nuisance, they can actually be dangerous, several even carry diseases! We are your Baltimore Pest Control Experts, and are ready to take care of these pest problems for you!
Different Types of Pests We Handle around Baltimore
Mosquitos
Mosquitoes adore Baltimore, but we don’t seem to reciprocate their affection. Malaria, Zika virus, dengue fever, and the West Nile virus are all mosquito-borne illnesses that can cause severe diseases and viruses if contracted.
Only female mosquitoes feed on humans, but they are the deadliest animals in the world. They cause more than 1 million deaths each year!
They multiply incredibly fast. Did you know the mosquito can lay its eggs in mud! They are so smart and determined to reproduce that they know the eggs can go dormant in the mud until the next rain. Then, the development begins all of a sudden! This is how it seems like there are so many more mosquitoes after rain! They also go crazy laying eggs every chance they get during wet periods. That is why they bite so much more during wet periods because they need the blood to lay eggs.
Bed Bugs
When you get home, they find hiding spots and search for where you rest, your bed, your furniture, anywhere you spend the most time. It doesn’t take long, and the bed bugs will start laying eggs, and before you know it, you have new offspring going to work with you! This is how simple this problem spreads.
The excellent news is bedbugs do not spread diseases, not physically anyway. But they will cause mental torment and can cause harmful reactions to those allergic to them. The mental anguish of having these Baltimore bloodsuckers biting you at night is more than enough reason always to check your surroundings when you are out!
Wasps
Wasps are another enemy of Baltimore. With their ability to sting multiple times and the sting being so painful, it is the last pest you want to anger.
Baltimore has a vast range of Wasps. We have Yellow Jackets, Bald Faced Hornets, European Hornets, Paper Wasps, Mud Daubers, and many other wasp types. The nests some of these creatures create can be huge! Below you can find more Baltimore wasp information.
The yellowjacket, also known as the yellow jacket, is a species of predatorial social wasps belonging to the genus Vespula and Dolichovespula. They are most often referred to simply as wasps. The majority of these, such as the eastern yellowjacket Vespula maculifrons and the aerial yellowjacket Dolichovespula Arenaria, are black and yellow. Others may have a red abdomen background color instead of black. Yellowjackets are fast fliers with a distinctive, rapid side-to-side flight pattern approaching the ground. All females can sting. Yellowjackets are key pest insect predators.
Termites
Termites are destructive wood-eating insects that can cause significant structural damage to a home if left unchecked. They do more harm to homes every year in the United States than all reported fires and major storms combined!
The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is a termite species native to Maryland. It dwells underground, as its name indicates. Termites are extremely social insects that live in large colonies, and the colonies can get quite large and destructive. A termite colony has distinct castes, including a queen, soldiers, winged reproductives (swarmers), and workers. The swarmer form is the most frequently encountered by residents.
At certain times of the year, typically in spring after some good rains, it will send out swarmers if the termite colony has grown large enough. These swarmers are looking for new places to create a new colony. If you notice a lot of flying insects in your window, or even just a bunch of wings, then most likely, your Baltimore home has been infested with termites for quite some time. If you notice this outside of your home, such as around the base of your house or outdoor lighting at the edge of your home, then you might be about to get termites if your home is not protected.
Ants
Baltimore has several common species of ants, the most common are Carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, acrobat ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, and field ants. Here is some more information about the most common ants found here.
The Black Carpenter Ants are the most common in the Baltimore region. These large, black ants may become a problem for your home. They don’t eat wood like termites but construct nests in wet or moist wood. They do this by removing all of the wood they can to open up an area to live. Once a carpenter ant nest is built in wet wood, it may be extended into healthy, dry wood. Tunneling can cause significant structural damage if it occurs in major structural wood. The presence of a carpenter ant colony inside the building is usually a substantial indication of a water leak somewhere.
The pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) is a small (2 mm) yellow or light brown ant. This ant is almost transparent and notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest in Baltimore. The Pharaoh ant is polygynous. Polygynous implies that there are many queens in each colony, which leads to distinct caste interactions and colony dynamics. This also allows the colony to break up into bud colonies very rapidly.
Ticks
Baltimore harbors plenty of ticks. Ticks are parasitic arthropods of the class Arachnida. They have eight legs, are not insects, and are related to spiders and mites. Some species of ticks are vectors for diseases that can affect humans. These include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, Q-fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, Southern tick-associated rash illness, babesiosis, and Powassan virus, to name a few. Ticks are usually found in tall grass, brushy or wooded areas but can also be found in urban settings.
Baltimore has several varieties of ticks, the most common being the American Dog Ticks, Brown Dog Ticks, Deer Ticks, and Lone Star Ticks.
Ticks can lay an incredible number of eggs and cause a fast infestation. So if you notice ticks around your home, it is best to get your property treated as soon as possible.
Rodents
Baltimore has a large rodent population, including Rats and Mice. These rodents can carry many different diseases, especially hantavirus. Hantavirus is caused by a virus found in the urine, saliva, or feces of infected rodents. Illness is just one problem with rodents; they are also very destructive. Rats and mice can eat through wood, wires, insulation, drywall, etc. This unwanted destruction of your property is another reason to call us if you suspect rodents in or around your home. Some of the most common rodents in Baltimore are listed below.
The name “roof rat” comes from its inclination to seek refuge in the upper portions of structures such as attics of homes. Unfortunately, roof rats gnaw through materials within and spread disease via contamination of stored food and as vectors of deadly illnesses.
It is also known as a house rat or ship rat and is a Murinae subfamily rodent belonging to the common long-tailed rats of the Rattus genus. It probably originated in the Indian subcontinent, but roof rats are now found worldwide. The black rat has a lighter underside that is black to light brown.
Spiders
Spider infestations can range from a minor nuisance to a significant concern, especially when venomous spiders are involved. Spiders typically enter homes and businesses in search of food, which primarily consists of other insects. Therefore, the presence of spiders often indicates a broader pest problem. Locating spiders and their spider webs can help identify infestation areas, but effectively controlling spider activity requires professional intervention. Queen B Pest Control specializes in identifying and catching spiders, including locating their hiding places and understanding what attracts spiders to your property.
At Queen B Pest Control, our spider control services encompass a thorough inspection of your property to identify not only the spiders themselves but also the conditions that are attracting them. Common household pests like bed bugs, carpenter ants, and even rodents can provide a food source for spiders, making integrated pest management a key component of our spider extermination efforts. Our team is skilled in treating spider infestations of all sizes, employing safe and effective pest control methods to eliminate spiders and reduce the risk of future infestations.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a type of insect commonly found in homes and businesses across Baltimore, MD. Pests like these are known for spreading disease and contaminating food with harmful pathogens. Cockroach pest control services can be complex, as even the most common cockroach can be difficult to eliminate and often require a professional pest control service.
They can enter your home or business through cracks in walls, doors, and pipes. They may also hitch a ride on bags and purses. Roaches are very good at finding food. They will search for warmth and shelter during the colder months.
They can contaminate food, spread diseases, and cause allergies. Cockroaches and their egg cases are often introduced into buildings through luggage, boxes, or furniture brought in from other areas.
Cockroaches can be highly difficult to eliminate because they reproduce quickly and hide in small places. They are also well known for building resistance to store-bought pesticides. To control cockroaches, you need an experienced licensed Pest Management Professional.
Birds
Birds may seem harmless at first, but when they begin nesting on your property, they can quickly create serious problems. In Baltimore, common nuisance species like pigeons, starlings, and sparrows leave behind corrosive droppings, damage roofing materials, clog gutters, and create unsanitary conditions around homes and businesses. Their nesting materials can block ventilation systems, attract secondary pests, and even pose fire hazards. Queen “B” Pest Control provides safe, effective, and humane bird control solutions designed to protect your property while preventing birds from returning.
Our team uses industry‑leading exclusion methods to keep birds away for good, including netting, deterrents, and custom‑fit barriers that stop birds from roosting on ledges, roofs, solar panels, and other vulnerable areas. We also remove nesting materials, sanitize affected spaces, and identify structural risks that may be attracting birds in the first place. Whether you’re dealing with a small nuisance or a long‑term infestation, Queen “B” Pest Control delivers reliable, long‑lasting bird control tailored to Baltimore’s unique urban environment.
Crickets
Crickets are more than just a noisy inconvenience; they can become significant pests when they invade your home in large numbers. Besides their distinctive chirping, which can disrupt the peace of your home, crickets are known to damage clothing, feed on other insects, and find hiding places in dark places like crawl spaces and behind appliances. Treating crickets requires a comprehensive understanding of their behavior, including their attraction to moisture, tall weeds, and heavy vegetation around properties.
At Queen B Pest Control, our pest control methods are tailored to address the unique challenges crickets pose. Our initial inspection aims to identify potential entry points and hiding places, laying the groundwork for an effective treatment plan. We utilize a combination of bait stations, sticky traps, and scheduled service plans to manage and control cricket populations. Preventative treatments, such as reducing outdoor lighting that attracts crickets (switching from white lights to yellow lights) and maintaining the yard to reduce shelter opportunities, are integral to our comprehensive approach to cricket control.
Wildlife
Baltimore is home to a wide range of wildlife, and while these animals can be a welcome sight in parks and natural areas, they become a serious concern when they make their way into your home or business. Groundhogs, moles, voles, raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, bats, foxes, and squirrels are among the most common wildlife pests in the region. Once inside or around your property, they can cause structural damage, contaminate living spaces, dig up lawns, chew through wiring, and introduce health risks through droppings and parasites.
Queen “B” Pest Control provides humane, effective wildlife control solutions designed to remove unwanted animals safely and prevent them from returning. Our team identifies entry points, assesses damage, and implements proven exclusion methods tailored to each species. From trapping and relocation to sealing access points and repairing affected areas, we ensure your property is protected long‑term. Whether you’re dealing with a single intruder or ongoing wildlife activity, our experts deliver fast, reliable service to restore your peace of mind.
The Best Baltimore Integrated Pest Management Company
If you are having issues in your Baltimore home or business with any of these pests, give us a call! We provide pest control services in Baltimore and the surrounding areas and would be more than happy to take care of these pest control needs to keep your family and your home safe and protected!