Discover Which Insects Connecticut Residents Should Be on the Lookout for and How to Defend Against Them 

More than 1,100 insects call Connecticut their home. Some have always been here, but others were drawn to the natural surroundings and climate and migrated from other states. Although there’s no shortage of Connecticut bugs and insects, those that commonly affect people and pets fit on a considerably shorter list.  

With service locations in Connecticut and more than three decades of experience, Catseye Pest Control encounters pests of all types, and we have identified the most common insects in Connecticut. Learn more about the eight most common bugs in Connecticut, along with some tips for preventing infestations.  

Ants  

Thousands of ant species exist worldwide, approximately 25 can be found in North America. These common pests often live in yards, gardens, wooden structures, and near building foundations. Some ants have six legs, a defined waist, and a body that ranges from 1/16 inch to 1 inch long. Colors include shades of black, red, and brown. Two of the most common ants in Connecticut are carpenter ants and odorous house ants.  

Carpenter Ants  

Named for their habit of tunneling into wood, carpenter ants can be quite destructive. Although they don’t sting, these pests can bite. Carpenter ants thrive in damaged, dead, moisture-rich wood and often leave little piles of sawdust behind as they create their nests. Carpenter ants are typically black and on the large side, with workers reaching up to a half inch in size. 

Odorous House Ants  

These smelly pests emit a strong smell when they are threatened, which is where odorous house ants get their name. Odorous house ants are usually dark brown, and workers grow up to 1/8 inch in size. Outdoor nesting spots include under logs, yard waste, and stones. Indoors, these ants nest in warm areas near water, such as in floor and wall voids or under doormats.  

Ticks  

Experts warn that 2023 may be the worst tick season in recent history across the entire United States. These eight-legged parasites feed on blood from humans, pets, and other animals. Additionally, ticks can carry many diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Because of the danger these insects pose, prevention is essential to keeping people and pets safe and healthy. Common ticks in Connecticut include deer, dog, and Lone Star ticks.  

Deer Tick  

These ticks got their name from one of their main sources of food: white-tailed deer. Deer ticks also feed on people and animals, potentially spreading Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Adult deer ticks may be red and brown or brown and may reach sizes up to 10 millimeters (about 4/10 inch) after feeding. Deer ticks are prevalent in wooded areas, but they have been found wherever deer and rodents live, including urban and suburban areas. 

Dog Tick  

Named for their preferred hosts, the American dog tick may feed on dogs or humans. Dog ticks may transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which can cause a rash, fever, and death if left untreated. Ticks may also carry tularemia, which can lead to paralysis in dogs. These ticks can grow up to 1/2 inch long after feeding and have a red-brown color with markings of yellow or white.  

Lone Star Tick  

This blood-sucking bug is usually brown with at least one white spot on its back. The Lone Star tick can grow to 1/2 inch long after feeding, and its bite can transmit several harmful diseases. Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) is associated with symptoms like rash, fever, and muscle pain. Ehrlichiosis causes fever, vomiting, and muscle pain. Additionally, Lone Star tick bites have been linked to Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can be severe and even life threatening.  

Bed Bugs  

Approximately one in five homes have bed bugs. These blood-drinking insects can be found in single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, hotels, nursing homes, schools, offices, hospitals, and more.  

Bed bugs are brown but may look reddish-purple after feeding. They have six legs and can grow up to 3/8 inch in size. Bed bugs often hitchhike on clothing, bags, and upholstered items. Once inside, they seek dark crevices to nest, often leading to people not knowing they have these insects until it’s a large infestation.  

Cockroaches  

These dreaded insects can be found in Connecticut and across the country. Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and can spread germs that cause diarrhea, hepatitis, and food poisoning. More than 4,000 species of these six-legged insects exist worldwide, with three species common to Connecticut: American, oriental, and German cockroaches.  

American Cockroaches  

The American cockroach typically measures between 1 and 1 1/2 inches long, with a red-brown body. These cockroaches often hide in shady spots, like under palm tree leaves and near drains and sewers. American cockroaches can contaminate surfaces, including kitchen counters and food, and spread digestive diseases.  

Oriental Cockroaches  

Oriental cockroaches average 1 inch in length, with black or dark brown bodies. This insect has adapted to thrive indoors and out. Oriental cockroaches are also dangerous in their ability to spread bacteria and pathogens. These cockroaches often live near sewers and other moisture-rich areas and contaminate food and surfaces.  

German Cockroaches  

German cockroaches tend to be smaller, averaging 1/2 to 5/8 inch long, with tan or light brown bodies and two stripes on their backs. These cockroaches prefer warm areas, but they are the most common throughout the country, including here in Connecticut.  

Because German cockroaches are relatively small, they can hide in cluttered corners and other spots. This makes it difficult to identify them before the infestation becomes widespread. These pests usually stay in large groups, give off a musty smell, and often are more active at night.  

Flies  

Flies are among the most common and annoying pests across North America. Not only can these six-legged insects’ buzzing interrupt your normal activities, but flies can also spread diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and anthrax.  

On the other hand, flies also play a beneficial role, including pollinating plants and crops. Seeing flies or their larvae are common signs of a problem with common species such as the house fly, fruit fly, or gnats.  

House Fly  

House flies may be common insects in Connecticut, but that doesn’t make them harmless. These insects have a gray or yellow body with reddish eyes and black stripes just behind their heads. Often called “filth flies,” house flies are known for carrying potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and diseases that can spread to people and pets.  

Fruit Fly  

Fruit flies are among the smallest of all flies, growing only to about 1/8 inch in size. These insects have dual-colored bodies that are tan in front and black in the rear, with red eyes and an appetite for fruit. Fruit flies also eat vegetables and prefer overly ripe and rotten produce along with other decaying organic matter.  

Gnats  

More annoying than harmful, gnats grow only 1/8 to 1/2 inch in size with black bodies. These insects lack the ability to bite humans and pets, but they can spread diseases to plants, potentially damaging houseplants and crops. Gnats feed on fungus, decaying plant materials, and plant roots and can often be found in moist areas near food sources.  

Mosquitoes  

Mosquitoes come in varying sizes and colors, with nearly 3,000 species causing a buzz globally. These Connecticut bugs feed on plants, and the females drink blood from humans and other animals, leaving itchy bites behind. Additionally, mosquitoes can transmit dangerous and deadly diseases, including malaria, West Nile, and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes thrive in wet, moist areas and lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water.  

Spiders  

Spiders may look like the ultimate creepy-crawly nightmare, but many of these eight-legged common Connecticut bugs can be beneficial. In fact, many spiders eat other pests. Of the 3,000 species found on this continent, only two have a harmful bite. However, the most common spiders found in Connecticut aren’t venomous at all.  

American House Spider  

This common house spider can be found worldwide, typically in sheds, garages, homes, and other buildings. American house spiders may bite when threatened, but the bite typically only causes redness and swelling. These insects grow up to 5/16 inch and have black, yellow-brown, or dirty white bodies. American house spiders thrive in moist, dark spots like attics, basements, and crawlspaces.  

Wolf Spider 

Large and fast-moving, wolf spiders are among the largest eight-legged insects found in Connecticut. Wolf spiders have eight prominent eyes and a hairy body in colors of brown, black, and gray with spiny legs. Their large bodies range from 1/4 inch to 1.2 inches in size, and their coloring, size, and overall appearance look similar to tarantulas. Although these spiders aren’t poisonous to humans, they can produce a painful bite. Wolf spiders commonly burrow under floorboards, debris piles, soil, and other low-lying protected areas.  

Termites 

Termites are incredibly destructive, causing billions of dollars in damage every year. Of the three common species, subterranean termites usually cause the most damage, while drywood termites usually work at a slower pace. Dampwood termites prefer moist, rotted wood and rarely infest buildings. These six-legged insects build colonies in wood-filled areas with proximity to moisture. Termites often get noticed when swarming during mating season.  

Tips for Keeping Common Bugs in Connecticut at Bay 

Insects commonly found in the “Nutmeg State” may invade homes, businesses, and other areas in search of food, water, and shelter.  

To prevent infestations, it helps to keep outdoor spaces tidy, with regular lawn mowing and prompt cleanup of debris. Indoors, keeping counters and floors clean, storing food in secure containers, and securing garbage in lidded cans can help reduce pest infestations.  

However, you can also take an even more proactive approach with Catseye’s Platinum Home Protection, which provides year-round inspections and preventive treatments.  

Our trained experts seal up potential entry points, inspect every inch of the property, and apply treatments as needed on a bi-monthly basis. This allows our residential and commercial customers to spot problems before they become a huge infestation, giving you the ultimate peace of mind.  

Call Catseye Today 

From ants to termites and everything in between, common bugs in Connecticut can be more than just a pest. These insects can cause damage and jeopardize the health of people and animals.  

Schedule an inspection of your Connecticut home or business today.  

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