- 1). Research and learn the various orders of the insect world that commonly infest houses. The orders are (typically): Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (true flies), Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) and Isoptera (termites). Most beetles have hard bodies; ladybugs and junebugs are examples. Flies are soft and have one set of wings. Bees and wasps are typically boldly colored with yellow, orange or white contrasting black; these insects sting. Moths are common inside, particularly damaging moths such as meal moths or clothes moths. They have four soft wings and often fuzzy antennae. Not all termites have wings, but you'll probably notice flying termites if you have an infestation.
- 2). Capture the insect by catching it with an aquarium net, your hands or a cup. If the insect is a bee or wasp, don't use your hands.
- 3). Place the insect in a clear, lidded container for observation, along with a 4-inch piece of measuring tape. If you don't have a measuring tape, place an object in the container of which you know the size. This might include a cut piece of paper you measured, a coin or similar object.
- 4). Notice the wings, count how many there are, sometimes only possible when the insect is in flight or has them out. Look for characteristics such as markings: spots, stripes, bright colors or similar features that stand out.
- 5). Pick the insect up with your fingers or a pair of plastic tweezers, unless it is a bee or wasp. Do not squeeze too tightly or you'll crush it.
- 6). Feel the body and notice if it feels hard or somewhat squishy. Almost all beetles will feel hard and rigid, while moths and flies will feel like you could squish them with little effort.
- 7). Look through a field guide dedicated to insects or do an educational website search online. Field guides often have thumb tabs, detailed photographs and detailed descriptions of individual insects, families of insects and the order of insects. To do an educational website search, type "site:.edu" in the search bar before your search. For example, if you found a moth in your kitchen or pantry, you might type "site:.edu pantry moths" or "site:.edu brown moths in kitchen."
- 8). Take the specimen to your local university cooperative extension service or to a local university's entomology department if you cannot find what insect you have. Experts readily identify common pests and insects and they can help you figure out what it is, what it wants in your home and maybe even how to control it.
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