Arizona’s hot and dry desert climate is home to a variety of pests. Here are 25 common pests found in the state:
- Bark scorpions
- Arizona brown spiders (also known as desert recluse spiders)
- Black widow spiders
- Brown widow spiders
- Tarantulas
- American cockroaches
- German cockroaches
- Turkestan cockroaches
- Mosquitoes
- House flies
- Cluster flies
- Silverfish
- Snakes
- Crickets
- Fire ants
- Argentine ants
- Carpenter ants
- Paper wasps
- Yellowjackets
- Africanized honey bees (also known as killer bees)
- Termites (including desert subterranean and Heterotermes aureus)
- Bed bugs
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Roof rats
- House mice
While some of these pests can be a nuisance or cause damage to property, it’s important to remember that they also play a role in the ecosystem. Some pests can be beneficial in controlling other pests or providing food for other wildlife. Ensure you manage pests responsibly and humanely, using integrated pest management techniques when possible to minimize harm to non-target species and the environment.