Types of Pests

  • ant

    Ants, Bees and Wasps

    Wasps, bees and ants (collectively known as hymenopterods) are one of the largest orders of insects. There are over 130,000 species described with many others remaining to be. It is yet unknown how many species exist in the Maltese Islands … more →

  • bedbug

    Bed Bugs

    Bedbugs are small, elusive, and parasitic organisms all belonging to a family of insects called Cimicidae. They live strictly by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals (such as other mammals and birds). The name ‘bed bug’ … more →

  • cockroach

    Cockroaches

    This order of insects, scientifically known as Blattaria, consists of around 4,000 species worldwide, of which 30 species are associated with human habitations and about 4 species are well known as pests. Although worldwide these insects have a bad reputation, … more →

  • flea

    Fleas

    ‘Flea’ is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera, which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites, living on the blood of mammals (including humans) and birds. In the … more →

  • fly

    Flies

    The true flies are insects, scientifically known as Diptera which means two winged species. This large group consists of around 120,000 species worldwide but it is believed that more of the same amount are still not described. It is one … more →

  • myriapods

    Myriapods

    Myriapoda is a group (subphylum) of arthropods (which also includes insects, arachnids and crustaceans) containing millipedes, centipedes, and others. The group has 13,000 known species, all of which are terrestrial (land dwellers). Although their name suggests they have myriad (10,000) … more →

  • pigeon

    Pigeons

    Locally, the only species of birds that are usually considered as agricultural pests are the following three: the Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis), Għasfur or Għammiel tal-Bejt, is usually considered a pest in fields as it gathers in large numbers to … more →

  • rodent

    Rodents

    Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterized by two continuously growing incisors (front teeth), two on the upper and lower jaws respectively, which must be kept short by gnawing. This is the origin of the name, … more →

  • snail

    Snails

    Molluscs are a category of invertebrates (organisms with no backbone) that possess a soft body as well as a shell. The shell may be either internal or external. Molluscs come in various shapes and sizes and are capable of living … more →

  • woodlouse

    Woodlice

    If there is a high level of humidity in your house then one of your residents must be the tank- like packed creature commonly known as the woodlouse. Woodlice are terrestrial cousins of the familiar coastal and marine crustaceans, such … more →

  • woodlover

    Wood Lovers (Susa)

    The term ‘Susa’ in Maltese refers to any insect that in some way or another, in one of its life stages, attacks live or dead wood. In practice the word is not indicative at all as if refereeing to every … more →

  • non-target

    Non Target Species

    Unfortunately there are several other species of fauna that are anything but pests, most of which are beneficial, but due to their appearance, habits and association with superstitious beliefs, they are regarded as pests. Most of these species are also … more →