Get a Quote Call Today: (615) 624-8325
facebook icon insta icon linkedin icon

Bug Solutions

Pest Library

Your comprehensive guide to identifying and treating common Tennessee pests.
Pestdictionary

Know Your Enemy: The Bug Solutions Pest Directory

Knowledge is your first line of defense against invasive intruders. At Bug Solutions, all the products we use are strictly regulated by Tennessee State law and fully approved by the EPA, keeping your safety at the forefront. While we are experts at eliminating these pests, please note that we do not medically identify physical bites, so please always consult a physician for health-related concerns.

Below is an overview of the most common pests affecting Tennessee homes and businesses, along with the warning signs that it is time to call in the professional pest control companies like Bug Solutions.

Licensed & Insured

Free Inspections & Estimates

(615) 624-8325

Rodents & Crawling Pests


Mice & Rodents


Small, warm-blooded mammals that seek food and shelter inside commercial and residential structures. They multiply rapidly and can cause significant structural damage by gnawing on wires, insulation, and building materials.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Small, dark droppings; chewed packaging or structural materials; scratching or scurrying noises behind walls and in ceilings.

Common Tennessee Rodent Species: 
 
  • House Mouse: The most common structural rodent intruder found inside crawlspaces and kitchens.
  • Norway Rat: A large, heavy-bodied burrowing rodent often found around urban foundations and commercial dumpsters.
  • Roof Rat: Agile climbers with long tails that prefer nesting in attics, rafters, and high ceilings.

 


Cockroaches


Highly resilient, nocturnal pests that thrive in warm, high-moisture environments. They are a frequent threat to sanitation compliance, making them a major concern for multi-family complexes, hotels, and businesses that serve food.

Signs of a Roach Infestation

Sightings of live or dead roaches; small, pepper-like droppings; oblong egg capsules (oothecae); or a distinct, musty odor in dark, damp spaces.

Common Tennessee Cockroach Species: 
 
  • German Cockroach: Fast-breeding and notorious for infesting residential apartments and commercial kitchens.
  • American Cockroach: Large, reddish-brown roaches that frequent sewers, basements, and commercial facility drains.
  • Oriental Cockroach: Dark, slow-moving, moisture-loving roaches often referred to as "water bugs."
  • Brown-banded Cockroach: Prefer warmer, completely dry areas such as electrical housing, appliances, and high ceilings.

 


Ants


Highly social insects that live in massive colonies and invade buildings in search of food and water. Once a scout ant locates a resource, they leave a pheromone trail for the rest of the colony to follow.

Signs of an Ant Infestation

Long, visible lines of ants marching along baseboards, countertops, or walls; small piles of dirt or debris near structural entry points.

Common Tennessee Species: 
  • Odorous House Ant: Small brown ants that emit a rotten coconut smell when crushed; heavily drawn to sugary kitchen spills.
  • Argentine Ant: Form massive multi-queen super-colonies that aggressively invade indoor structures during wet weather.
  • Carpenter Ant: Large black ants that hollow out wet, rotting structural wood to establish nesting galleries.
  • Fire Ants: Aggressive outdoor ants that build visible dirt mounds in lawns and deliver painful, burning stings.

 


Spiders


Eight-legged arachnids that typically enter properties in search of prey. While most local species are harmless, an influx of spiders usually indicates an underlying infestation of other target insects that serve as their food source.

Signs of a Spider Infestation

An abundance of spiderwebs in corners, ceilings, basements, or dark storage areas; frequent sightings of active spiders.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Wolf Spiders: Large, hairy, fast-moving hunters that stalk prey along baseboards instead of spinning traditional webs.
  • Brown Recluse: A shy, highly venomous spider with a violin-shaped marking on its back (it’s also known as the fiddleback spider), preferring dark, undisturbed storage boxes and closets.
  • Southern Black Widow: Venomous, glossy black spiders recognized by the distinct red hourglass marking on their underside.
  • American House Spider: Harmless web-builders that spin messy, tangled, irregular webs in window frames and room corners.
  • Cellar Spider: Long, thin-legged spiders (often called daddy-longlegs) that build loose webs in damp basements, crawlspaces, and garages.

 

Is It Time to Call the Professionals?

Left unchecked, these insects and rodents can quickly compromise your sanitation compliance, damage inventory, or disrupt your daily peace of mind. Whether you are fighting a localized ant trail or an active mouse issue, our team is equipped to eliminate the threat thoroughly. Call Bug Solutions today to protect your property and get a fast response from a team you can trust.
Get a Pest Control Quote Call Our Team: (615) 624-8325

Wood-Destroying & Biting Pests


Termites


Destructive insects that feed continuously on wood and cellulose, causing severe and expensive structural damage from the inside out. Our specialized termite services utilize advanced bait stations to neutralize colonies safely.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Mud tubes scaling foundation walls; discarded, translucent insect wings near windows or doors; hollow-sounding wood; or buckling paint.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Eastern Subterranean Termite: The primary structural threat across Tennessee, nesting in underground soil and tunneling upward into structural framing.

 


Bed Bugs


Tiny, flat, reddish-brown insects that hitchhike into buildings on clothing, luggage, or furniture. They hide in tight crevices near sleeping areas to feed on hosts at night, making them a critical threat to hospitality properties and apartment communities.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Small, dark spots of fecal matter or rusty blood stains on mattress seams and bedsheets; shed insect skins; or a sweet, heavy odor.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Common Bed Bug: Highly adaptable, microscopic parasites that readily infest residential properties, multi-family units, and commercial hotel spaces.

 

Fleas

Extremely small, wingless, jumping parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are easily introduced into residential carpet and multi-family units by domestic pets or roaming wildlife.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

Pets scratching or biting themselves excessively; tiny black insects jumping when carpets or upholstery are disturbed; small black specks (flea dirt) on pet bedding.

Common Tennessee Species: 
  • Cat Flea: Despite the name, this is the primary flea species responsible for infesting both dogs and cats indoors throughout Tennessee homes and apartments.

 

Is It Time to Call the Professionals?

Wood-destroying termites and invasive bed bugs cause significant structural damage and intense personal stress. We utilize highly effective treatment methods approved by the EPA and regulated by Tennessee law to completely neutralize these aggressive, specialized threats. Don't wait for the infestation or structural damage to spread. Reach out directly to our hands-on team right away.
Get a Pest Control Quote Call Our Team: (615) 624-8325

Pantry & Fabric Pests


Beetles


A massive order of insects, but in terms of property management, they typically present as wood-boring threats, fabric destroyers, or pantry invaders. They can compromise structural timbers, ruin carpets and upholstery, or contaminate stored food goods in commercial kitchens and residential pantries.

Signs of a Beetle Infestation

Fine, sawdust-like powder (frass) accumulating near tiny exit holes in wood; irregular holes chewed into wool rugs, blankets, or clothing; or small, hard-shelled beetles crawling near windowsills or food storage areas.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Powder Post Beetle: Destructive wood-borers that target structural timbers, hardwoods, and crawlspace joists.
  • Varied Carpet Beetle: Small, speckled beetles whose bristly larvae feed on natural fibers, carpets, and stored feathers or wool.
  • Cigarette Beetle: A common pantry pest that infests dried tobacco, spices, flour, and stored commercial goods.


 


Weevils


A specific family of beetles easily identified by their distinctively long snouts. Weevils are notorious pantry pests that target stored grains, seeds, nuts, and cereal products, frequently invading residential kitchens and commercial food storage facilities.

Signs of a Weevil Infestation

Tiny, slow-moving dark beetles crawling inside food packaging or along pantry shelves; hollowed-out grain kernels or seeds; or fine, subtle webbing inside dry ingredient containers.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Rice Weevil: A highly destructive pest that attacks stored rice, corn, wheat, and cash crops across the state.
  • Granary Weevil: A wingless weevil species that specifically infests stored whole grains in domestic and commercial pantries.
  • Maize Weevil: Closely resembles the rice weevil and frequently targets corn products and coarse grain storages.

 

Moths

While outdoor moths are harmless, certain indoor species are highly destructive. The adult moths themselves do not cause damage, but their larvae aggressively feed on stored dry goods or natural fabrics containing keratin, such as wool, silk, and leather.

Signs of a Moth Infestation: 

Irregular holes chewed into clothing, rugs, or upholstered furniture; silk-like webbing, cocoons, or frass hidden in the dark corners of closets or food cupboards; or small adult moths flying in erratic patterns near lights and food storage spaces.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Indian Meal Moth: The most common pantry moth in Tennessee, recognizable by its two-toned wings; larvae feed on cereal, flour, nuts, and pet food.
  • Webbing Clothes Moth: A fabric-destroying pest that avoids light, preferring to lay eggs in dark, undisturbed closets, wardrobes, and storage trunks.

 

Is It Time to Call the Professionals?

From destroying expensive inventory and textiles to contaminating food supplies, pantry and fabric pests can cause major financial headaches for homeowners and business operators alike. We utilize eco-friendly, highly targeted products approved by the EPA to intercept these infestations at the source. Don't let hidden pests ruin your property or inventory—call Bug Solutions today to implement a comprehensive protection plan.
Get a Pest Control Quote Call Our Team: (615) 624-8325

Flying Pests


Mosquitoes


Flying, biting insects that lay their eggs in stagnant water and can rapidly take over outdoor environments. Their activity spikes heavily during the warm summer season, disrupting outdoor comfort.

Signs of a Mosquito Infestation

Large, swarming clouds of mosquitoes around your property, particularly near shaded vegetation, standing puddles, or gutters.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Asian Tiger Mosquito: Aggressive daytime biters with distinctive black-and-white stripes visible on their bodies and legs.
  • Common House Mosquito: A nocturnal biter that frequently rests indoors and breeds in stagnant urban water catchments.


 


Wasps


Stinging, flying insects that can become highly aggressive when defending their territory. They present a serious safety and liability hazard around residential entryways, commercial facility overhangs, and multi-family apartment communities due to their painful and potentially dangerous stings.

Signs of a Wasp Infestation: 

Visible paper or mud nests tucked underneath roof eaves, window frames, rafters, or deck railings; a high volume of insects swarming around a specific section of a structure; or pests emerging from small gaps in exterior brickwork or siding.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Yellowjackets: Aggressive, ground- or wall-nesting wasps that actively swarm and sting repeatedly if their colony is disturbed.
  • Paper Wasp: Slender, long-legged wasps that build open, umbrella-shaped paper nests beneath roof lines and porch ceilings.
  • Bald-faced Hornet: Large, black-and-white stinging insects that construct large, gray, football-shaped aerial nests in trees and on structural corners.
  • Mud Dauber: Solitary, long-waisted wasps that build tube-like nests out of mud; they are generally non-aggressive but can become a structural nuisance.

 

Bees

Vital pollinators that are generally docile unless their hive is threatened. However, when wild swarms choose to establish structural nests inside the walls, attics, or soffits of homes and commercial buildings, they can cause significant structural weight damage from honey accumulation and create distinct safety concerns. (Note: Bug Solutions strongly prioritizes safe, eco-friendly management and relocation practices for beneficial bee species whenever possible.)

Signs of a Bee Infestation

Continuous buzzing, humming, or scratching vibrations emanating from inside a wall or ceiling cavity; a steady, concentrated flight path of bees entering and exiting an exterior structural gap; or dark honey stains leaking through drywall or ceiling panels.

Common Tennessee Species: 
  • Carpenter Bee: Large, solitary bees resembling bumble bees that bore perfectly round, destructive tunnels into unpainted exterior wood, facia boards, and decks.
  • Honey Bee: Highly social insects that build massive, long-term colonies within structural wall voids and attics if left unchecked.
  • Bumble Bee: Ground-nesting pollinators that occasionally establish small colonies beneath porches, stairs, or low-clearance crawlspaces.

 

Fruit Flies

Tiny flying insects attracted to fermenting organic matter, sugary liquids, and ripening produce. They are a frequent operational headache for restaurants, bars, and retail spaces that handle food items.

Signs of a Fruit Fly Infestation

Small gnats hovering around trash receptacles, bar drains, fresh fruit displays, or recycling bins.

Common Tennessee Species: 
 
  • Common Fruit Fly: Small, red-eyed flies strongly attracted to overripe produce, soda fountains, beer lines, and fermentation.
  • Drain Fly: Fuzzy, dark, moth-like flies that breed inside the thick organic slime layers of sink and floor drains.

 

Is It Time to Call the Professionals?

Flying pests like mosquitoes and wasps multiply rapidly, making it hard to enjoy your property or keep your retail or restaurant space up to strict local regulations. Our specialized barrier treatments are designed to intercept breeding cycles and reclaim your space, keeping you protected through the busy summer season. Contact us now to establish a reliable, long-lasting shield against flying insects.
Get a Pest Control Quote Call Our Team: (615) 624-8325