Long Island Pest Library
Reviewed by William "Willy" Vizcarrondo, NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator (C1825832). Updated September 23, 2026.
Every pest that shows up in Nassau and Suffolk homes, with how to identify it, when it's active on Long Island, what it does to a house, and when to call a pro. Written and reviewed by a licensed New York applicator with thirty five plus years in the field.
Rodents
House Mouse
The small gray rodent that moves into Long Island homes every fall and breeds through the winter.
Active: Year round indoors, moves in Oct through Feb
Norway Rat
The large burrowing brown rat found along waterfronts, commercial strips, and older neighborhoods.
Active: Year round, heaviest indoors Nov through Mar
Cockroaches
Ants
Carpenter Ant
Long Island's most common wood-nesting insect, and a reliable sign that water is getting into the house.
Active: May through October, peak July
Pavement and Odorous House Ants
The tiny dark ants that stream across Long Island kitchen counters every spring and after heavy rain.
Active: Mar through Oct, peak Apr through Jun
Wood-destroying insects
Stinging insects
Yellowjackets and Hornets
The social wasps that make late summer dangerous around decks, garbage cans, and anywhere kids play.
Active: Apr through first frost, peak Aug and Sep
Carpenter Bee
The big hovering bee that drills round half-inch holes in decks, fascia, and cedar trim every spring.
Active: Apr through Aug, second emergence in Aug
Cicada Killer Wasp
The giant solitary wasp that digs burrows in dry, sandy lawns and along patios in July and August.
Active: Jul through early Sep
Bed bugs and fleas
Pantry and moisture pests
Pantry Moths and Beetles
Little moths on the kitchen ceiling and tiny brown beetles in the flour, almost always from one package.
Active: Year round indoors, worse Jun through Sep
Silverfish and Centipedes
The moisture pests of basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, and what their presence tells you.
Active: Year round indoors, peak Jun through Sep
Fall invaders
Stink Bugs and Fall Invaders
The bugs that pile onto sunny walls in fall and slip inside to spend the winter in attics and walls.
Active: Invade Sep and Oct, indoors all winter
Cluster Flies
The big, slow flies at upstairs windows on warm winter days, overwintering in the attic and walls.
Active: Enter Sep and Oct, indoors all winter
Ticks and outdoor pests
Ticks
The most serious pest on Long Island from a health standpoint, and the yard changes that cut the risk.
Active: Apr through Sep, peak May through Jul
Spotted Lanternfly
The invasive planthopper that swarms trees and decks and coats everything below in sticky honeydew.
Active: May through Nov, peak Aug through Oct
Wildlife
Birds
Not sure what you're looking at?
Call (516) 509-6001 for a free written quote, or send a photo and we'll tell you what you're most likely dealing with.