Pest Library
Found a bug, a bite, or some droppings and not sure what it is? Compare the pests we see most across Hampton Roads — with clear photos, size, and the tell-tale signs — so you know exactly what you're dealing with.
Cockroaches
Four roach species show up in Hampton Roads homes — telling them apart points to where they're hiding and how to stop them.
Moderate riskGerman Cockroach
Blattella germanica
The most common indoor roach — small, tan, and found in warm, humid kitchens and bathrooms.
Moderate riskAmerican Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
The big reddish-brown 'palmetto bug' — our largest common roach, often coming in from drains and crawl spaces.
Moderate riskOriental Cockroach
Blatta orientalis
A shiny, near-black roach that loves cool, damp basements, crawl spaces, and drains — often called the 'water bug.'
Moderate riskBrown-Banded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa
A small roach that prefers warm, dry spots higher up — inside electronics, furniture, and upper cabinets.
Termites
Eastern subterranean termites are the #1 wood-destroying threat here. Learn the castes, the swarmers, and the mud tubes that give them away.
High riskSubterranean Termite Swarmer
Reticulitermes flavipes (alate)
The winged, reproductive termite. A swarm indoors is the clearest warning sign of an active colony.
High riskTermite Worker
Reticulitermes flavipes (worker)
The pale, wingless caste that actually eats your home's wood — the most numerous members of the colony.
High riskTermite Soldier
Reticulitermes flavipes (soldier)
The colony's defender — a pale body with an oversized orange head and dark pincer-like jaws.
High riskTermite Mud Tubes
Pencil-width mud highways on foundations and walls — often the first visible proof of subterranean termites.
Moderate riskFlying Ant vs. Termite
Both swarm in spring, but three quick checks — antennae, waist, and wings — tell them apart every time.
Ants
From wood-hollowing carpenter ants to stinging fire ants, coastal Virginia sees several species that each call for a different approach.
Moderate riskCarpenter Ant
Camponotus spp.
Our largest ant. It doesn't eat wood, but hollows it out to nest — a real structural concern.
Low riskOdorous House Ant
Tapinoma sessile
A tiny dark ant that gives off a coconut-like smell when crushed — one of the most common kitchen invaders.
Low riskArgentine Ant
Linepithema humile
A light-brown ant that forms enormous, cooperating supercolonies and overwhelming trails.
Low riskPavement Ant
Tetramorium immigrans
The little dark ant behind the small dirt mounds in sidewalk and driveway cracks.
High riskRed Imported Fire Ant
Solenopsis invicta
An aggressive, stinging ant that builds dome-shaped dirt mounds in sunny yards.
Bed Bugs
Know what the bug, the bites, and the tell-tale mattress stains look like so you can catch an infestation early.
Moderate riskBed Bug
Cimex lectularius
A flat, reddish-brown, apple-seed-sized insect that hides near where people sleep and feeds at night.
Low riskBed Bug Bites
Small, itchy red welts — often in a line or cluster — that show up on skin exposed while you sleep.
Moderate riskSigns of Bed Bugs
Rusty stains, shed skins, and tiny eggs along mattress seams are often the first clues — before you ever see a bug.
Rodents
Mice and rats leave different clues. Reading the droppings and gnaw marks tells you which one you're dealing with.
Moderate riskHouse Mouse
Mus musculus
A small gray-brown rodent with big ears that squeezes through dime-sized gaps to nest indoors.
High riskNorway Rat
Rattus norvegicus
A large, heavy-bodied brown rat that burrows low — in crawl spaces, basements, and along foundations.
Moderate riskMouse vs. Rat Droppings
Droppings are the fastest way to tell which rodent you have — size and shape give it away.
Spiders
Most spiders here are harmless, but two — the black widow and brown recluse — are worth identifying with care.
High riskBlack Widow
Latrodectus mactans
A glossy black spider with a red hourglass — one of the few in our area whose bite needs medical attention.
High riskBrown Recluse
Loxosceles reclusa
A tan spider with a violin-shaped mark. True to its name, it hides and bites only when trapped against skin.
Still Not Sure What You Have?
Snap a photo and let our local, family-owned team take a look. We've protected Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — we'll identify the pest and recommend the right plan, with a free inspection and no obligation.
One company. Three ways to protect your home.
Universal is the "Total Home Health Professionals" of home protection in Hampton Roads. Discover our other dedicated divisions.
Ready to protect your home?
Call now or request a free quote online. Same-day service often available.
How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.