Learning Center

Although not commonly found in Arizona, the Norway rat—also known as the house, sewer, or wharf rat—has occasionally been spotted, often mistaken for the more prevalent roof rat. These large, burrow-dwelling rodents are nocturnal, highly adaptable, and known for their strong survival instincts, nesting in colonies and feeding on everything from grains to small animals.

Cowbirds, historically known for following bison and now cattle, are notorious for being North America's most common "nest parasites." Instead of raising their own young, they lay eggs in other birds' nests, leaving the unsuspecting host species to care for their chicks.

Flies are common pests found worldwide, known for their rapid breeding and ability to spread diseases. Attracted to food, waste, and decaying matter, flies can contaminate surfaces and pose health risks, making sanitation and proper waste management key to controlling infestations.

Blackbirds are highly social and adaptable birds that often live in large colonies and nest in a wide range of environments, from fields and marshes to urban areas. Known for their varied diets and distinctive coloring—glossy black with iridescent feathers for males and brown for females—blackbirds build sturdy, mud-cemented nests and are recognizable by their jerky, chicken-like walking pattern.

Ticks and fleas are common pests that affect both pets and humans. Brown Dog Ticks are prevalent in Arizona, primarily infesting dogs, while American Dog Ticks can spread serious diseases. Fleas, such as the Cat and Dog Flea, are wingless insects that can jump long distances and are known for transmitting parasites like tapeworms.

The Arizona woodpecker, found in the mountainous canyons of Arizona and New Mexico, is a small, brown bird known for its rhythmic drumming and nesting in trees or wooden structures. Monogamous by nature, these woodpeckers feed on insects, seeds, and berries, and can often be identified by the male's red head patch and their preference for wooded or man-made habitats.

Springtails are tiny, jumping insects commonly found in damp outdoor areas like mulch, soil, and potted plants, and may enter homes seeking moisture. Though harmless, their large numbers and presence near drains, insulation, or indoor plants often make them a nuisance pest.

Crows are highly intelligent, social birds found throughout North America, often gathering in large groups and causing messes in urban areas. Omnivorous and adaptable, they eat everything from insects to garbage, and are known for their raspy caws, jet-black feathers, and cooperative family structures where multiple generations help raise young.

Roof rats, or black rats, are common pests in Phoenix, thriving in the city's warm climate and abundant food sources. Known for nesting in attics and roofs, they can cause significant damage by chewing through wires and insulation while spreading diseases, making effective control methods, like sealing entry points and professional pest services, crucial for maintaining a rodent-free home.

House sparrows, introduced to North America in the 1850s, are now widespread across the continent, except in Alaska and Northern Canada. These social, aggressive birds often nest in urban areas, such as building holes, streetlamps, and gas station roofs, and are known for displacing other bird species, creating messes with their droppings and nesting materials.

Originally introduced from Europe, pigeons have become the most problematic bird pest in the U.S., especially in urban areas where they gather in large flocks on buildings and rooftops. These monogamous birds build simple platform nests, feed on human food waste, and can cause significant mess and damage with their droppings.

Bumble bees and carpenter bees are large, buzzing pollinators commonly found in Arizona, with bumble bees nesting underground and carpenter bees boring into wood. Bumble bees are fuzzy with yellow and black hairs, while carpenter bees are less hairy with a shiny, metallic appearance—both play vital roles in pollination but differ in behavior, habitat, and colony size.

Field mice are small, intelligent rodents with grayish-brown fur and long tails, commonly found in fields, forests, and rural areas. Known for their quick reproduction and scavenging habits, they use their fur for camouflage and are constantly alert to predators, though their lifespan in the wild is typically short.

Metallic, Mining, and Leafcutter bees are solitary, non-aggressive pollinators essential to healthy ecosystems. Metallic bees are known for their shiny, iridescent bodies; mining bees nest in the ground; and leafcutter bees cut leaves to build their nests—each playing a unique role in pollination across gardens, farms, and wild landscapes.

Africanized killer bees, discovered in Arizona in 1993, are an aggressive hybrid of African and European honeybees. While they look like European honeybees, they are much more defensive and will quickly swarm to protect their hives. These bees nest in small spaces and spread rapidly, making them dangerous to humans and animals.

Introduced from Europe, honeybees are vital pollinators that contribute an estimated $20 billion annually to U.S. agriculture while also producing honey. In Arizona, these year-round residents live in large hives of up to 50,000 bees and can be seen swarming or foraging, using their unique pollen baskets to collect nectar from millions of flowers.

Sow bugs and pill bugs are small, land-dwelling crustaceans that thrive in moist environments. While they are harmless and feed on decaying organic matter, they can become a nuisance when they enter homes in search of moisture.

Western yellow jackets are yellow and black wasps with jagged bands, commonly found in southern Arizona and above the Mogollon Rim. They are known for their painful stings, which typically occur when their nests are disturbed, and are most active outdoors.

Spiders are common arthropods found in nearly every environment, playing a vital role in controlling insect populations. While most species are harmless to humans, some—like the black widow or brown recluse—can deliver venomous bites, making awareness and proper identification important for safety in and around the home.

Pack rats, also known as wood rats, are nocturnal rodents known for their habit of "trading" objects—often dropping what they carry in favor of something new, especially shiny items. Found throughout the Southwest, these herbivores build large nests called middens and are easily identified by their large ears, fluffy grayish-brown fur, and long tails.

Arizona is home to several species of scorpions, including the potentially deadly Bark Scorpion, which is unique for its ability to climb and squeeze through tiny cracks, and the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion, known for its large size and mild venom. While scorpions are primarily nocturnal and found in desert areas, they can pose risks to humans and pets, making awareness and prevention essential for safety.

Originally introduced to the U.S. in the 1890s, European Starlings have since multiplied to over 140 million, becoming a major urban and agricultural pest. These stocky, robin-sized birds travel in massive flocks, nesting in cavities and roosting on buildings, often causing significant damage and mess with their droppings.