The 12 Most Common Household Pests in North Texas (And How to Know When It’s Time to Call a Pro)

North Texas is one of the most pest-active regions in the country thanks to warm winters, high humidity, rapid development, and year-round food and water availability. While DIY solutions can sometimes help, certain NOrth Texas pests signal it’s time to bring in a professional. This guide breaks down the 12 most common pests in Wylie, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Anna, and surrounding areas—and exactly how to know when professional pest control is needed.

large fire ant mound in green grass

1. Fire Ants

Signs You Have Them: Mounds in yard, painful stings, swarms after rain

Health & Property Risk: Stings, pet injury, yard damage

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Small mounds in open lawn areas
  • Call a Pro: Multiple mounds, mounds near your foundation, children or pets affected

2. Carpenter Ants

Signs You Have Them: Large black ants, sawdust-like shavings, hollow wood sounds

Health & Property Risk: Structural damage to wood and framing

When to Call: Immediately. If you see them indoors or near rooflines and eaves, professional treatment is essential to prevent costly structural damage.

3. Odorous House Ants

Signs You Have Them: Sweet smell when crushed (similar to rotten coconut)

Health & Property Risk: Rapid colony growth and kitchen contamination

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Early detection with bait stations may work
  • Call a Pro: If you see ants in your kitchen repeatedly, professional elimination is needed

4. German Cockroaches

Signs You Have Them: Small tan roaches, coffee-ground droppings, activity in kitchens and bathrooms

Health & Property Risk: Allergens, food contamination, disease transmission

When to Call: Always. German cockroaches cannot be eliminated with store-bought products. Professional-grade treatment is the only effective solution.

5. American Cockroaches (Waterbugs)

Signs You Have Them: Large reddish-brown roaches in bathrooms, garages, drains, and basements

Health & Property Risk: Bacterial contamination and disease vectors

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Occasional sightings may not require treatment
  • Call a Pro: If you see them repeatedly indoors, professional pest control is required

6. Spiders

Common Types in North Texas: Wolf spiders, house spiders, black widows, brown recluses

Health & Property Risk: Recluse and widow bites can be dangerous; most spiders are harmless but unwanted

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Most spiders can be removed manually
  • Call a Pro: If you see multiple recluses or widows, or if spiders are coming from your attic or eaves

7. Rodents (Mice & Rats)

Signs You Have Them: Droppings, attic noises at night, greasy rub marks on walls, chewed bags and wires

Health & Property Risk: Wiring damage, insulation contamination, fire hazards, disease transmission

When to Call: Immediately. Rodents never go away on their own. They breed every 21 days, and populations explode quickly without professional intervention.

8. Mosquitoes

Signs You Have Them: Increased biting outdoors, standing water on property, swarms during warm months

Health & Property Risk: Disease transmission, disruption of outdoor activities

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Personal repellent and screens provide temporary relief
  • Call a Pro: If you have standing water nearby, wooded lots, or drainage issues that attract mosquitoes

9. Termites

Signs You Have Them: Mud tubes on foundations, swarmer wings, hollow wood, structural damage

Health & Property Risk: Severe structural damage to your home’s foundation and framing

When to Call: Immediately. Termites are a 100% professional-only pest. Never attempt DIY treatment—early professional detection and treatment prevent thousands in damage.

10. Silverfish

Signs You Have Them: Small silver insects in bathrooms, closets, attics, and storage areas

Health & Property Risk: Damage to clothing, books, documents, and stored items

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: One or two sightings are typically not concerning
  • Call a Pro: If you see more than two to three per month, professional treatment is warranted

11. Earwigs

Signs You Have Them: Pincher-looking insects in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and damp areas

Health & Property Risk: Moisture problems and attraction to humid environments

DIY or Professional?

  • DIY: Occasional sightings may not require intervention
  • Call a Pro: When large numbers appear indoors or moisture issues are evident

12. Wasps & Hornets

Common Types in North Texas: Paper wasps, mud daubers, yellow jackets

Health & Property Risk: Stings (especially dangerous for allergic individuals), nest aggression, recurring returns

When to Call: Always. Removing nests is dangerous and should never be attempted as a DIY project. Professional removal ensures safety and prevents re-infestation.

When You Should Call Home Run Pest & Termite Control

Don’t wait until a minor pest problem becomes a major infestation. Contact a professional if you notice:

  • Recurring pests after using store-bought treatments
  • More than a few roaches, silverfish, or spiders indoors
  • Noise in the attic at night
  • Pest issues appearing in multiple rooms
  • Any pest activity involving children, elderly family members, or pets
  • Any signs of termites, rodents, or structural damage
  • Nests or colonies visible on your property

Your North Texas Pest Control Partners

Home Run Pest & Termite Control serves Wylie, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Anna, and surrounding communities with professional pest elimination and prevention. Our experienced team knows the unique pest challenges of North Texas and provides customized solutions to keep your home safe and pest-free year-round.

Ready to eliminate your pest problem? Contact Home Run Pest & Termite Control today for a free inspection and treatment plan.

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