Coastal Pest Guide: The Most Common Pests in Santa Cruz

1. Ants (Especially Argentine Ants)

If there’s one pest every Santa Cruz homeowner knows, it’s ants in the kitchen. The Argentine ant forms huge “supercolonies” and is driven indoors by winter rains and warm spells.

You’ll often see them coming in around plumbing penetrations and windowsills.

How we treat ants (Eco-Friendly)

• Inspect & identify the species and trace trails back to entry points.
• Recommend sealing cracks and trimming vegetation that touches the house.
• Targeted baits, not just sprays: Workers carry baits back to the colony instead of using repellents.
• Preventive follow-ups cut down on seasonal ant explosions.

Want year-round protection? Check out our Year-Round Pest Control plan.

2. Rodents (Rats & Mice in Attics and Crawlspaces)

Rodents move into attics, crawlspaces, and garages when temperatures drop or food is easy to access, using moist creek corridors and dense vegetation as highways.

Signs of Rodent Activity:

Scratching in walls/ceilings at night, droppings, gnaw marks, or a strong musty odor. Rodents spread diseases and can chew wiring, increasing fire risk.

How we treat rodents (The Right Way)

• Detailed inspection of the attic, crawlspace, and roofline for rodent control and exclusion in Santa Cruz.
• Physical trapping, not reliance on loose poisons that can harm pets and wildlife.
• Exclusion & sealing work: closing gaps and screening vents to keep new rodents out.
• For heavy issues, we recommend attic cleanup and sanitizing.

3. Spiders

Coastal humidity and insect activity make Santa Cruz ideal for web-building spiders. They are usually a nuisance but require management around eaves and outdoor living areas.

How we manage spiders:

• Professional spider exterminator in Santa Cruz services include knockdown of webs around eaves, doors, and windows.
• Targeted exterior treatments in key harborages (cracks in siding, fence lines).
• Guidance on reducing night lighting that attracts flying insects.

4. Termites (Subterranean & Dampwood)

Older wood structures, coastal moisture, and mild weather create ideal conditions for termites, which can damage framing and decks for years if left alone.

Signs & Treatment:

Look for mud tubes on foundations, winged swarmers, or soft wood.

• Thorough termite inspection in Santa Cruz of crawlspaces and foundations.
• Targeted treatments for active colonies (in soil or affected wood).
• Moisture recommendations: improving grading, drainage, and ventilation.

5. Cockroaches

Roaches carry bacteria and aggravate asthma/allergies. They hide in warm, moist areas like under sinks, behind refrigerators, and around dumpsters.

Our Treatment Approach:

• Identify the species—treatment changes by species.
• Crack-and-crevice treatments and baiting programs inside harborages.
• Sanitation coaching: trash management and clutter reduction.

Learn more about cockroach control in Santa Cruz.

6. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs ride in on luggage or furniture. Once established, they hide in mattresses, bed frames, and baseboards, leaving behind bites in clusters or lines.

• Careful inspection of bedrooms and adjoining rooms.
• Targeted bed bug treatment in Santa Cruz in cracks, seams, and hiding spots.
• Follow-up visits to catch late hatchers.

7. Fleas

Mild coastal weather allows flea populations to survive outdoors year-round, making them common in carpeted homes and sandy yards.

• Coordination with your vet (pets should be treated).
• Treat indoor hotspots (carpets, pet areas) and outdoor zones where pets rest.
• We offer pet-safe flea control in Santa Cruz services.

8. Mosquitoes

Mosquito season stretches spring through fall, and local invasive Aedes mosquitoes are a concern. They breed in standing water.

How we reduce mosquitoes:

• Property inspection to find and map breeding sites.
• Recommendations to dump, drain, or cover standing water.
• Targeted larval treatments in water that cannot be emptied.
• Barrier treatments in dense vegetation where adult mosquitoes rest.

Ask about mosquito control in Santa Cruz for your yard.

9. Gophers & Moles

They tunnel underground, damaging roots and ruining lawns. Signs include fresh soil mounds or raised ridges.

• Professional trapping and removal instead of over-relying on poisons.
• We offer gopher and mole control in Santa Cruz for lawns and gardens.
• Advice on long-term protection (root baskets, barriers).