Pest & Weed Library

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Low Risk

The most recognized broadleaf weed in Utah lawns, a deep taproot makes hand-pulling difficult, but broadleaf herbicides provide reliable control.

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Crabgrass

Digitaria spp.

Low Risk

A fast-growing summer annual that invades thin lawns. Best stopped with a pre-emergent in early spring.

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Fleas

Ctenocephalides spp.

Moderate Risk

Biting parasites that infest pets and homes. Lasting control treats the pet, the home and the yard at the same time.

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Silverfish

Lepisma saccharina

Low Risk

A primitive, humidity-loving insect that damages paper, books and starchy materials in bathrooms, laundry rooms and storage areas.

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Crickets

Gryllus spp.

Low Risk

Noisy nocturnal insects that move into Southern Utah homes and garages in fall. Mostly a nuisance, and a favorite scorpion food.

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Stink Bugs

Halyomorpha halys

Low Risk

Shield-shaped insects that cluster on sunny walls in fall. Harmless to the house, but they smell when crushed.

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Drywood Termites

Incisitermes minor

High Risk

Termites that live entirely within dry wood with no soil contact — identified by their distinctive hexagonal fecal pellets.

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Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Moderate Risk

A large, burrowing ground rat that nests near foundations and sewer lines, the most widespread rat species worldwide.

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House Mouse

Mus musculus

Moderate Risk

The most common rodent pest in the US, capable of entering through gaps as small as a dime and quickly establishing indoor populations.

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German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

Low Risk

The most problematic indoor cockroach in the world, small, fast-reproducing, and strictly an indoor pest of kitchens and bathrooms.

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Brown Widow Spider

Latrodectus geometricus

Moderate Risk

A Florida relative of the black widow with a distinctive orange hourglass, less dangerous but increasingly common in outdoor furniture and structures.

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Wolf Spider

Hogna spp.

Low Risk

Large, fast-moving ground hunters that look frightening but are harmless to humans, they chase down prey rather than building webs.

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