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Occasional Invaders

Common Types of Occasional Invaders in Washington

Occasional invaders are those bugs that infest homes on occasion, by accident or purposely during certain times of the year. In Washington, this group includes millipedes, centipedes, earwigs, silverfish, springtails, and lady beetles.

  • Centipedes

    Another occasional invader with lots of legs, centipedes may have between 15 and 177 pairs of legs depending on their species. The first pair of legs on the centipede end in sharp claws that contain venom. This helps them capture and paralyze their prey. Centipedes have long, segmented worm-like bodies and range in color from yellow to dark brown. Learn more about centipedes.

  • Earwigs

    Fairly easy to identify, earwigs have long, smooth bodies that are dark brown to reddish in color. Extending of their abdomen are a pair of pincer-like appendages also known as cerci. Male and females can be distinguished by the shape of their cerci—males have curved pincers while females have straight ones. Most species of earwigs have wings but not all fly. Learn more about earwigs.

  • Millipedes

    Millipedes have worm-like bodies that curl up into tight balls when threatened.  Though their name might imply that they have thousands of legs, they may have up to 200 pairs of legs. Millipedes come in a variety of colors including dark, dark brown, red, and orange. They may also appear with a mottled pattern on their bodies. Learn more about millipedes.

  • Silverfish

    This occasional pest has an elongated teardrop-shaped body that is covered in bluish scales. They are not winged insects but have long antennae and three long bristle-like appendages that extend off their backends. Silverfish are commonly identified by the quick, fish-like way they move across the floor. Learn more about silverfish.

  • Springtails

    Small insects, springtails only grow up to about 1/8 of an inch. They have soft bodies that range in color. Their most distinctive feature is their furcular, which is a tail-like appendage located under their abdomen. This appendage is what gives them the ability to jump quickly out of harm's way. Learn more about springtails.

  • Lady Beetles

    The Asian multicolored lady beetle, also known as the ladybug, is found in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Mostly seen in yellow, red, and orange, their bodies may also be covered by dark spots. They have smooth oval-shaped bodies that are domed and also have a unique “M” shaped mark found behind their head. Learn more about lady beetles.

Why do I have a problem with occasional invaders?

For the most part, occasional invaders spend most of the year happily living outside. They may enter structures by accident when foraging or on purpose if the weather is not favorable.  For example, in the late fall species like ladybugs congregate on the sunny, warm exterior walls of homes. As they move up the walls they find their way inside to overwinter in a safe, warm space. Millipedes, centipedes, silverfish, springtails, and earwigs tend to move inside of homes when the weather outside becomes too hot and dry.

Where do occasional invaders hang out inside of my home?

In most cases, occasional invaders will tuck away in out-of-the-way areas such as attics, wall voids, basements, and crawl spaces. You may discover some species in your bathroom or laundry room, or other areas where moisture is present.

Are occasional invaders dangerous?

No, they are not dangerous. Occasional invaders are more annoying than problematic. They don’t pose a threat to health nor will they damage property. That said, they are still nuisance pests that could attract other pests and no one wants their home occupied by unwelcome guests.

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

Since most pest problems start on the outside of the house, we recommend implementing one of our year-round home pest control plans that creates a barrier of protection around the perimeter of the house and treatment inside if necessary. At Prosite, we offer home pest control plans that are designed to eliminate occasional invaders and other household pests and keep pests from returning. Learn more about our pest control treatment options in Ellensburg, WA and the surrounding communities by giving us a call or stopping by our home pest control page!

How do I prevent problems with occasional invaders?

In order to keep your home free of occasional invaders, we recommend implementing the following pest prevention tips for your home and yard:

  • Reduce humidity levels inside of your home through the use of dehumidifiers, air-conditioners, and ventilated fans
  • Reduce moisture build-up around the exterior of your home by making sure gutters are in good working order and by trimming back overgrown shrubs and bushes away from the outside of your home
  • Seal any cracks or gaps in your home's foundation, along exterior walls, or along the roofline
  • Caulk gaps found around exterior windows and doors and make sure that all window and doors screens are completely intact
  • Leave a stone or other type of barrier between any grass, soil, or mulch and your home’s foundation
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