Employ Our Professionals to Manage Every Pest Invasion

Contact the experts at Cal King Pest Control for assistance in identifying various pest infestations. Discover the diverse types of pests that may invade your home by browsing the information provided below. Feel free to request an inspection and pest control service from us at your convenience. We provide emergency support and extended operating hours.

Call for a Free Estimate

(530) 673-6322

We're members of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce.

Discover the Numerous Types of Pests

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, elusive insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Here are some interesting facts about bed bugs:

1. Scientific name: Bed bugs belong to the Cimicidae family of insects, and their scientific name is Cimex lectularius.

2. Size and appearance: Adult bed bugs are about 4-5 millimeters long, have a reddish-brown color, and a flat, oval-shaped body.

3. Nocturnal feeders: Bed bugs are mostly active at night when they come out to feed on the blood of their hosts, typically humans.

4. Bites: Bed bug bites are usually painless and appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to the bites.

5. Feeding habits: Bed bugs can consume up to 3 times their body weight in blood in one meal and can survive for several months without feeding.

Remember that if you suspect a bed bug infestation, it's essential to contact a professional pest control service to help eradicate them properly.

Ants

Ants are social insects that live in colonies and can be found all around the world. Here are some interesting facts about ants:

1. Diversity: There are over 12,000 known ant species worldwide, with diverse sizes, colors, and behaviors.

2. Social structure: Ant colonies have a complex social structure, with a queen, male ants, and worker ants, each having specific roles within the colony.

3. Communication: Ants communicate using pheromones, which are chemical signals that they release to convey information such as food sources, danger, or the need for assistance.

4. Lifespan: The queen ant can live for several years, while worker ants typically live for a few months to a year. Male ants have the shortest lifespan, usually only living a few weeks.

5. Strong: Ants are known for their incredible strength, as they can carry objects up to 50 times their body weight.

Spiders

Spiders are fascinating creatures that belong to the class Arachnida. They can be found in various habitats around the world. Here are some interesting facts about spiders:

1. Diversity: There are more than 48,000 known spider species worldwide, exhibiting a wide range of sizes, colors, and behaviors.

2. Silk production: Spiders produce silk, a strong and flexible material, from their spinnerets. They use silk to create webs, egg sacs, and even as a lifeline when they fall.

3. Venom: Most spiders have venomous glands, which they use to paralyze or kill their prey. However, only a small number of species have venom potent enough to pose a threat to humans.

4. Hunting methods: Spiders employ various hunting strategies, including web-building, ambush, and active hunting. Some species, like the jumping spider, can leap impressive distances to catch their prey.

5. Eyesight: Spiders typically have eight eyes, although the number and arrangement can vary depending on the species. Some spiders, like the jumping spider, have excellent vision, while others rely more on touch and vibrations.

Crickets

Crickets are insects belonging to the order Orthoptera, which also includes grasshoppers and katydids. They are known for their distinct chirping sounds and are commonly found in various habitats across the globe. Here are some interesting facts about crickets:

1. Diversity: There are over 900 known species of crickets, varying in size, color, and habitat preferences.

2. Anatomy: Crickets have a typical insect body structure, with three main parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They also possess two pairs of wings and six legs.

3. Chirping: Male crickets produce their iconic chirping sound by rubbing their wings together, a process called stridulation. The sound attracts females for mating and can also be used to establish territory or ward off rival males.

4. Hearing: Crickets have ears located on their front legs, just below the knee. They use these ears to detect the chirping sounds of other crickets.

5. Nocturnal: Most cricket species are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night and rest during the day.

Fleas

Fleas are small, wingless insects that belong to the order Siphonaptera. They are external parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Here are some interesting facts about fleas:

1. Diversity: There are over 2,500 known species of fleas worldwide, with the most common species affecting pets being the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis).

2. Size and appearance: Adult fleas are small, usually about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3.3 mm) long, with a laterally compressed body and are reddish-brown in color.

3. Jumping ability: Fleas are known for their extraordinary jumping ability. They can jump up to 150 times their body length, making them one of the best jumpers in the animal kingdom relative to their size.

4. Lifecycle: The flea lifecycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The time it takes for a flea to complete its lifecycle varies depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a few weeks to several months.

5. Reproduction: Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day and up to 2,000 eggs during their lifetime. The eggs are not sticky and can easily fall off the host onto the environment.

Wasps

Wasps are flying insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, which also includes ants and bees. They can be found in various habitats around the world and play important roles in ecosystems, such as pollination and pest control. Here are some interesting facts about wasps:

1. Diversity: There are over 30,000 known species of wasps worldwide, varying in size, color, and behavior. They can be broadly classified into two groups: social wasps and solitary wasps.

2. Social structure: Social wasp species, such as yellowjackets and hornets, live in colonies with a queen, male wasps, and worker wasps, each having specific roles within the colony.

3. Nest construction: Social wasps construct their nests from a papery material made by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva. Nests can be found in various locations, including trees, bushes, and buildings.

4. Diet: Adult wasps typically feed on nectar, while their larvae are fed with insects or other protein-rich sources. This makes wasps valuable for pest control, as they help keep insect populations in check.

5. Stingers: Female wasps have a stinger, which is a modified ovipositor (egg-laying organ). Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times without dying.

Rodents

Rodents are mammals belonging to the order Rodentia, which includes a diverse group of species like mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers. They are found in various habitats around the world and are known for their continuously growing incisors. Here are some interesting facts about rodents:

1. Diversity: There are over 2,000 known species of rodents, making them the largest order of mammals, accounting for approximately 40% of all mammal species.

2. Size and appearance: Rodents vary significantly in size and appearance, from tiny mice weighing just a few grams to large capybaras weighing over 100 pounds (45 kg).

3. Incisors: Rodents have a pair of continuously growing incisors in both their upper and lower jaws, which they must constantly wear down by gnawing on various materials.

4. Diet: Most rodents are herbivores, feeding on a variety of plant materials, seeds, and nuts. However, some species like rats and mice can also consume insects and other small animals when necessary.

5. Reproduction: Rodents generally have a high reproductive rate, with some species like mice and rats being able to produce multiple litters per year, each containing several offspring.

Silverfish

Silverfish are small, wingless insects belonging to the order Zygentoma. They are primitive insects that have remained largely unchanged for millions of years. Silverfish are commonly found in homes and buildings, where they feed on various materials. Here are some interesting facts about silverfish:

1. Appearance: Silverfish have a distinctive, elongated, teardrop-shaped body covered in silvery-gray scales. They are usually 12-19 mm (0.5-0.75 inches) long, with three long, bristle-like appendages extending from the end of their abdomen.

2. Movement: Silverfish are known for their quick, wriggling movements that resemble the motion of a fish, which is how they got their name.

3. Nocturnal: Silverfish are nocturnal insects, meaning they are most active during the night and prefer to hide during the day.

4. Diet: Silverfish feed on a wide variety of materials, including starches, sugars, and cellulose. They can cause damage to books, papers, wallpaper, textiles, and stored food items.

5. Habitat: Silverfish prefer dark, damp, and humid environments, such as basements, attics, kitchens, and bathrooms. They can also be found under sinks, behind baseboards, and in wall voids.

Earwigs

Earwigs are small to medium-sized insects belonging to the order Dermaptera. They are found in various habitats around the world and are characterized by their distinctive pincer-like appendages at the end of their abdomen. Here are some interesting facts about earwigs:

1. Appearance: Earwigs range in size from 5 to 50 mm (0.2 to 2 inches) and are usually brown or black. Their elongated, flattened bodies are topped with a pair of curved, pincer-like appendages called cerci, which are more prominent in males.

2. Diversity: There are over 2,000 known species of earwigs worldwide, with varying habits and habitats.

3. Nocturnal: Earwigs are primarily nocturnal insects, meaning they are most active during the night and prefer to hide during the day.

4. Habitat: Earwigs can be found in a variety of environments, including forests, fields, and gardens. They often hide in damp, dark places, such as under rocks, logs, and debris.


5. Diet: Earwigs are omnivores, feeding on a variety of plant materials, small insects, and decaying organic matter. Some species can be beneficial in gardens by consuming pests, while others can cause damage to plants.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are insects belonging to the order Blattodea, which also includes termites. They are known for their resilience and adaptability, often inhabiting human structures and becoming pests. Here are some interesting facts about cockroaches:

1. Diversity: There are over 4,600 known species of cockroaches worldwide, with only about 30 of those species being associated with human habitats. The most common pest species include the German cockroach, American cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and Brown-banded cockroach.

2. Size and appearance: Cockroaches vary in size from a few millimeters to over 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length. They have flattened bodies, long antennae, and are usually brown or black in color.

3. Resilience: Cockroaches are known for their ability to survive in harsh conditions, including exposure to radiation, extreme temperatures, and even going without food and water for extended periods.

4. Diet: Cockroaches are omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of materials, including plant and animal matter, as well as decaying organic material. In human habitats, they are known to consume food scraps, paper, glue, and even hair.

5. Nocturnal: Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal insects, meaning they are most active during the night and prefer to hide during the day