Bug Index

Know what's bugging you.

Straight answers to the questions we hear most, plus a guide to identifying common Southern California pests and keeping them out.

Common questions

How much does pest control cost?

It depends on your property's size and what we find. Most homeowners get a price over the phone in a few minutes. No hidden fees, and quotes are always free.

Is treatment okay around my kids and pets?

We choose products and methods for your home and follow an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. We use the same professional-grade products we use for veterinary clinics, restaurants and hospitals.

What if pests come back between visits?

Call us. If target pests come back between scheduled visits, we come back too, at no extra charge.

What areas do you serve?

Southern California counties. See the full list on our home page, or call to check your address.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

No. Service is month to month and you can cancel anytime. We believe our service speaks for itself.

Do I need to be home?

Not for exterior service. If interior service is needed, we'll schedule a time when you're home.

How often will you come?

Every other month, monthly or weekly, depending on your plan and pest pressure.

How soon can you come out?

Most new customers are seen within 24 hours. Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS for the next available time.

Southern California pest guide

Ants

Nuisance
Common hereCarpenter, harvester, fire, Pharaoh and invasive Argentine antsFoundKitchens and bathrooms, especially in summer

There are about 700 species of ants native to the United States, but only around 25 are commonly found in the home. Argentine ants are an invasive species that has been overtaking native species in Southern California. They are aggressive and difficult to eradicate.

Ants are constantly looking for food and water, and they enter through any crack or crevice they can find. Home treatments may clear the trails you see, but the colony is still nearby and another wave may return. Store-bought sprays kill the trail you see, not the colony. Professional treatment is far more effective long term.

Prevention: Keep food in sealed containers, take out the trash often, wipe down counters and stoves after cooking, and don't leave standing water or sugary spills.

Seeing ants? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Bed Bugs

Bites
Looks likeSmall, flat, red-brown insectsFoundBeds, couches, electrical outlets and household cracksSignsFecal stains on fabric, blood spots, shed skins

Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood and are mostly nocturnal, feeding at night, often unnoticed. Carbon dioxide, warmth and body chemicals attract them. Bites can cause raised welts, burning, itching and rashes, often in straight lines across the skin.

A single bed bug may lay 200 to 300 eggs in its lifetime (up to a year), so populations grow quickly. Catching an infestation early can prevent bites entirely.

Prevention: Keep floors and furniture clutter-free, wash bed linens in hot water, inspect second-hand items and check suitcases after travel.

Seeing bed bugs? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Bees

Stings
HoneybeesGentle; sting only when provokedAfricanizedLarger, darker and far more aggressive

Bees are an integral part of our ecosystem, pollinating crops and plants. European/Western honeybees keep to themselves and occasionally swarm, but are not usually dangerous during this time.

Africanized honeybees sting 5 to 6 times more frequently, and agitated colonies may stay defensive for several days. Leave swarms alone.

How we help: Skyline specializes in removing Africanized bees. We don't relocate honeybees or other docile species, but we can refer you to a trusted partner who does.

Seeing bees? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Box Elder Beetles

Harmless
Looks likeSmall black and red bugsFoundAround box elder trees; indoors in winter

Box elder bugs thrive in warm climates and are most active in summer, feeding on leaves, flowers and seeds. In winter they seek warmth and are more likely to enter buildings to hibernate.

They aren't dangerous and rarely cause structural damage, but their droppings can leave reddish-orange stains on fabric, and large infestations are unsightly. Their occasional "bites" carry no venom.

Seeing box elder beetles? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Centipedes / Millipedes

Can bite
CentipedesFast, flat, one pair of legs per segmentMillipedesSlow, rounder, two pairs of legs per segmentFoundRotting wood, leaf piles, mulch

Centipedes are fast-moving carnivores that kill prey with venomous bites. Bites aren't normally dangerous to people, but infants and small pets may be more sensitive.

Millipedes eat decaying matter and don't bite, but some release a toxin that can blister skin. Both need moist conditions and rarely survive indoors, but they can be an unsightly garden pest that professional treatment removes.

Seeing centipedes or millipedes? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Cockroaches

Health risk
Common hereAmerican, German and Oriental, the three most common in Orange CountyFoundPlumbing, unsealed doors and windows, incoming boxes

Household roaches carry bacteria and can trigger asthma and allergic reactions. They'll eat almost anything (food scraps, soap scum, even glue) and hitchhike in on boxes and furniture.

They're nocturnal and skilled at hiding, and they resist weaker store-bought chemicals. If you see one, there are probably more. Professional treatment is usually the only lasting fix.

Act fast: Infestations grow quickly, so start treatment as soon as you spot one.

Seeing cockroaches? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Earwigs

Harmless
Looks likeUnder an inch long with large rear pincersFoundMoist garden soil, under foundations, around porch lights

Earwig pincers aren't dangerous to people, and contrary to myth, earwigs don't burrow into ears. They eat decaying matter and small plants, come out at night, and gather around porch lights and patios in summer. They rarely survive long indoors.

Prevention: Keep a "dry moat" around your home, free of mulch, dead leaves, rotting wood and moist shrubs, and clear away wood and garbage piles.

Seeing earwigs? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Fleas

Health risk
Looks likeTiny, red-brown, wingless jumpersSignsItchy pets, bites, pepper-like droppings

Fleas feed on blood, usually from cats, dogs, rabbits and rodents, and will settle for people when they have to. Eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days in carpet, bedding, upholstery and cracks, so populations can skyrocket without treatment.

Fleas can carry diseases including typhus, cat scratch disease and tapeworms, so it isn't safe to let them feed on pets or family.

How we help: Skyline uses a multi-step treatment plan to remove the source. Pets should be off the property and given a medicated bath during treatment so fleas don't come back in.

Seeing fleas? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Pillbugs / Sowbugs

Harmless
PillbugsDarker, shiny, roll into a ball ("rollie-pollies")SowbugsLighter, rougher, can't roll up

These aren't insects but land-dwelling crustaceans. They scavenge decaying plants and debris, need moisture, and rarely come inside, though they sometimes settle in damp basements or drains. They can't harm people but are unsightly in large numbers.

Prevention: Reduce moisture and clutter, seal cracks, replace door sweeps and caulk gaps around doorways.

Seeing pillbugs or sowbugs? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Silverfish

Damages belongings
Looks likeSmall, silver-blue, fast-movingFoundAttics, basements, under kitchen and bathroom sinks

Silverfish don't bite or damage buildings, but they eat clothing, paper, glue, cereal boxes and dead skin cells. They're nocturnal, and their natural predators (centipedes, earwigs and spiders) are pests themselves. Populations can grow quickly, so prompt professional treatment is recommended.

Seeing silverfish? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Weevils

Pantry pest
Looks likeSmall dark brown or black beetles with long snoutsFoundPackaged food (usually rice), gardens, orchards

Most homeowners deal with pantry weevils, which stow away in packaged food. Some outdoor species damage buildings, and those infestations need immediate treatment.

Prevention: Check food products before you buy them to avoid bringing weevils home.

Seeing weevils? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Spiders

Some bite

Most spiders around Southern California homes are shy and rarely bite. These are the four we're asked about most.

Black & brown widows

Black widows are shiny black with a red hourglass on the abdomen; brown widows are brown with banded legs. They hide in garages, woodpiles, under window ledges and in plant debris. They're shy and bite mainly when their web is disturbed. Bites can be painful and rarely fatal, but anyone bitten by a black widow should seek medical treatment. Brown widows, now spreading across Southern California, are less venomous and even less likely to bite.

Brown recluse

A quarter-sized brown spider with a violin marking on its back. It hunts at night rather than building webs, and lives under logs, in rocks and woodpiles. It's not aggressive and usually bites only when pressed against skin, but bites can become serious and cause tissue damage. Seek medical attention right away if you think you've been bitten.

California trapdoor

A medium to large dark spider with a thick body and legs. It lives in camouflaged burrows in soft soil (gardens, riverbeds) and ambushes passing prey. It can be aggressive and its bite is very painful, though not dangerous. It rarely stays indoors and can live up to 20 years.

Yellow sac spider

The most common sac spider here: light yellow, up to 1/4 inch, with darker "feet". It hunts household insects at night and rests in its web by day. Bites usually happen in close contact (in bed, underfoot) and cause minor itching and a raised bump for a few days.

Seeing spiders? Call 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS or get a free quote.

Not sure what you're dealing with?

Send us a photo or describe it on the phone. A licensed technician will identify the pest, find how it's getting in and put a plan in place. Quotes are free.

Get a Free QuoteCall 1-888-RID-MY-BUGS