Plank Termite & Pest Control
Pest ID: General Pests/Occasional Invaders
Creeping, Crawling, and Uninvited
Control for General Pests & Occasional Invaders in Rolla and Central Missouri
Some pests don’t always stick around, but when they do, they make a scene. Occasional invaders like earwigs, silverfish, millipedes, and centipedes often sneak indoors during seasonal changes, seeking warmth, moisture, or shelter. Others, like house crickets or clover mites, may invade in large numbers without warning. Even though these pests don’t always cause major harm, they’re a nuisance, can damage stored goods or fabrics, and may signal other underlying issues. At Plank Termite & Pest Control, we offer targeted plans for general pests and occasional invaders—backed by expert inspections, fast results, and proactive solutions like our Perimeter Guard Pest Control Services. We proudly serve Rolla, Osage Beach, Lebanon, Waynesville, Camdenton, and surrounding Central Missouri communities with reliable, year-round pest protection.
General Pests / Occasional Invaders Identification
Boxelder Bug
- Size: ½ inch
- Appearance: Black with red-orange lines on thorax and wings
- Where Found: Sunny walls, siding, windowsills; often gather in large groups
- Evidence: Staining on curtains or walls from crushed bugs; large congregations on exteriors
- Behavior: Enter homes in fall seeking shelter; mostly harmless but annoying
Clover Mites
- Size: 1/30 inch (very small)
- Appearance: Reddish or dark green; oval-shaped with front legs longer than the rest
- Where Found: Windowsills, basements, foundation cracks
- Evidence: Red smears when crushed; clusters near sunny sides of the home
- Behavior: Feed on clover and lawn plants; invade homes en masse in spring and fall
Earwigs
- Size: ½ to 1 inch
- Appearance: Dark brown with long pincers on rear
- Where Found: Basements, bathrooms, mulch, under flowerpots
- Evidence: Nighttime sightings; found under damp items or drains
- Behavior: Not dangerous; feed on decaying matter and other insects
Camel Cricket
- Size: ½ to 1½ inches
- Appearance: Hump-backed body, long legs, tan or brown
- Where Found: Crawlspaces, garages, basements
- Evidence: Sudden hopping when disturbed; clusters in moist, dark areas
- Behavior: Noisy and startling but harmless
Field Cricket
- Size: ¾ to 1 inch
- Appearance: Dark brown to black with long antennae
- Where Found: Basements, garages, under porches
- Evidence: Chirping noises at night; fecal droppings
- Behavior: Attracted to warmth and light; may damage fabrics or paper
House Cricket
- Size: ¾ inch
- Appearance: Light yellowish-brown with dark bands on head
- Where Found: Kitchens, basements, HVAC areas
- Evidence: Persistent chirping; may chew holes in clothes or wallpaper
- Behavior: Harmless but loud and persistent
Indianmeal Moth
- Size: ½ inch
- Appearance: Reddish-brown wings with coppery tips
- Where Found: Pantry, dry goods, food storage
- Evidence: Webbing in food packages; larvae crawling in containers
- Behavior: Lay eggs in grains, cereal, nuts, and dried fruit
Larder Beetle
- Size: ⅜ inch
- Appearance: Brown with a pale yellow band and six black dots on wing covers
- Where Found: Near pet food, pantry, or carcasses
- Evidence: Shedding skins, larvae, or chewed materials
- Behavior: Infest high-protein items like dried meat or pet food
Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
- Size: ⅛ inch
- Appearance: Flat body with saw-like teeth on thorax
- Where Found: Packaged goods, cereal boxes, flour bins
- Evidence: Active beetles or larvae inside food; damage to packaging
- Behavior: Often transported via infested goods
By Marshal Hedin from San Diego - Octoglena sierra (Family Polyzoniidae)Uploaded by Jacopo Werther, CC BY 2.0, Link
Millipede
- Size: 1–2 inches
- Appearance: Long cylindrical body with dozens of legs
- Where Found: Damp basements, crawlspaces, garages
- Evidence: Curl into a spiral when disturbed; found in corners or sinks
- Behavior: Harmless decomposers; invade during heavy rains
Pillbug
- Size: ¼ to ½ inch
- Appearance: Gray segmented body; can roll into a ball
- Where Found: Under stones, flower pots, in garages or basements
- Evidence: Found in cool, damp areas; curl up when handled
- Behavior: Non-destructive but often mistaken for pests
Scorpion
- Size: 1–3 inches
- Appearance: Pale tan with pincers and curved stinger tail
- Where Found: Crawlspaces, basements, under woodpiles
- Evidence: Nocturnal sightings, especially in dark, quiet places
- Behavior: Sting is painful but not lethal in Missouri; rare indoors
Slug
- Size: Up to 2 inches
- Appearance: Soft-bodied, slimy, with no visible shell
- Where Found: Around foundations, flower beds, bathrooms
- Evidence: Silvery slime trails and chewed plant leaves
- Behavior: Feed at night; prefer damp, decaying areas
Spider Beetle
- Size: 1/16 to ⅛ inch
- Appearance: Round reddish-brown body, resembles small spider
- Where Found: Pantry, bird nests, attics
- Evidence: Presence in stored food, grain dust, or organic matter
- Behavior: Feed on moldy, decaying organic material
Springtail
- Size: Less than ⅛ inch
- Appearance: White or gray, jump when disturbed
- Where Found: Bathroom floors, sinks, under mulch
- Evidence: Swarms of tiny bugs in moist areas
- Behavior: Harmless but persistent when moisture is high
By Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Silverfish
- Size: ½ to ¾ inch
- Appearance: Silvery-gray, teardrop-shaped, with antennae and three tail bristles
- Where Found: Bookshelves, bathrooms, basements
- Evidence: Paper damage, yellow stains, cast skins
- Behavior: Thrive in humidity and feed on paper, glue, and starch
Get Rid of Pests Before They Multiply
Call or text (573) 368-3333 for fast, affordable help with general pests and occasional invaders in your home or business.
What to Do If You Spot General Pests
Your Next Steps
Whether it's springtail swarms or crickets chirping through the night, you don’t have to put up with pests.
- Identify problem areas (humidity, cracks, food storage)
- Clean up clutter and organic debris
- Repair moisture issues and seal gaps
- Don’t crush bugs like clover mites or boxelder bugs—they stain
- Schedule a professional pest inspection for long-term control
Prompt action reduces future infestations and protects your property.
FAQs About Occasional Invaders
Are occasional invaders harmful?
Most are nuisance pests. Some—like silverfish or meal moths—can damage fabrics or food, while others are simply unpleasant.
Why are these pests suddenly in my home?
Changes in temperature, rain, or seasonal behavior (like overwintering) often drive pests indoors seeking shelter.
Do I need pest control for something like a pillbug?
Yes—when occasional invaders appear frequently or in large numbers, it's a sign of a conducive environment that needs professional correction.
Can I prevent these pests naturally?
Moisture control, sealing cracks, and sanitation are key. However, treatment may still be needed during peak invasion periods.
Is one treatment enough?
For most occasional invaders, one or two treatments during peak seasons can drastically reduce activity. Preventive plans offer year-round peace of mind.
You Shouldn’t Share Your Home with Bugs
Plank Termite & Pest Control offers expert pest identification, control plans, and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for occasional invaders and general pests. Call or text (573) 368-3333 today for trusted insect and pest control services.
Joel W Eland
Josh was very professional and willing to work hard - including getting dirty in a crawl space. He also provided practical evaluation of our buildings and next steps.
Laura Chilton
I called Plank Termite and Pest Control and an actual person answered the phone! We discussed the pest situation, came up with a solution, set up an appointment for Jacob, the technician, to come to our house. Jacob arrived exactly on time, took care of the situation, made recommendations for the future, provided a receipt and finished the job within about 30 minutes. I highly recommend Plank Termite and Pest Control for their superior professionalism and service.
T Roberds
Professional service at an affordable price. Highly recommend!
Maggie Edmonds
I give Plank Pest Control 5 stars for service, reliability, and courtesy. I recommend highly. I appreciate being able to depend on them to answer questions and always being available to help in an emergency (bee infestation....I am dangerously allergic to bee stings).
Beth Reddington
He did a great job and he answered all of my questions thank you.
