House Fly
6-7 mm · Grey with 4 black stripes Insect · Moderate risk House Fly Musca domestica The house fly is one of the most common flies in Quebec homes. Drawn to garbage and food, it breeds very fast and can carry many germs from one surface to another. SIZE 6 to 7 mm COLOUR Grey […]
Blacklegged Tick
1-3 mm · Brownish black, oval body Arachnid · High risk Blacklegged Tick Ixodes scapularis The blacklegged tick is a small blood-feeding arthropod and the main carrier of Lyme disease in Quebec. Active from spring onward, it latches onto the skin during walks in the woods or in tall grass and can transmit bacteria, usually […]
Fruit Fly
2-4 mm · Yellowish brown, red eyes Insect · Low risk Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster The fruit fly, or Drosophila, is the tiny insect that shows up around ripe fruit and garbage cans. Drawn to fermentation, it breeds at lightning speed and invades kitchens and bars in just a few days. SIZE 2 to 4 […]
House Spider
6-10 mm · Translucent beige Arachnid · Low risk House Spider Pholcus phalangioides, the long-bodied cellar spider The house spider, or long-bodied cellar spider, is one of the two most common spiders inside Quebec homes. Practically harmless to people, it feeds on pest insects and helps keep the home in balance. Large numbers, however, can […]
Earwig
12-20 mm · Reddish brown Insect · Low risk Earwig Forficula auricularia The earwig is a nocturnal insect recognizable by the pincers at the tip of its abdomen (cerci), which give it a scary but largely undeserved reputation. Contrary to popular belief, it does not crawl into ears. It becomes a pest when it comes […]
Woodlouse
8-18 mm · Slate grey Crustacean · Low risk Woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare / Oniscus asellus The woodlouse is a land crustacean (not an insect) that lives in damp places. It feeds on decaying organic matter and plays a useful role in the soil. Finding it inside a house usually points to excess moisture. It is […]
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
14-17 mm · Marbled brown Insect · Low risk Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an invasive species from Asia that arrived in Quebec in the 2010s. It moves into homes in large numbers in the fall to overwinter in walls, attics and closets. Although it does […]
Bumblebee
8-25 mm · Fuzzy black and yellow Insect · Low risk Bumblebee Bombus spp. The bumblebee is an essential pollinator, easy to recognize by its hairy black and yellow body. Unlike wasps, it is not very aggressive and stings only as a last resort. It plays a crucial role in pollinating wildflowers and farm crops […]
Bald-faced Hornet
13-20 mm · Black and white Insect · High risk Bald-faced Hornet Dolichovespula maculata The bald-faced hornet is one of the largest wasps in Quebec. Its black colouring with ivory white markings sets it apart from other species at a glance. It builds large aerial nests and is considered one of the most aggressive wasps […]
Eastern Yellowjacket
10-13 mm · Yellow and black Insect · High risk Eastern Yellowjacket Vespula maculifrons The eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) is the most widespread yellow and black wasp in Quebec. It is recognized by its yellow bands striped with black and the black anchor-shaped mark on the first segment of the abdomen. It almost always builds […]