Pest information articles and guides
Practical, San Diego-specific information from Talos technicians — pest identification, prevention, and treatment guides to help you understand what's happening at your property and what to do next.
Browse the GuidesStart with our most-read guides
Roof Rats vs. Norway Rats: Recognizing the Rodent in Your Attic
Droppings, runs, and entry points — how a Talos inspector tells the two apart and why it changes the trapping plan.
Read guideArgentine Ants: Identification, Habits, and Control in San Diego
Why Argentine ants dominate coastal kitchens, how to tell them from other species, and what actually keeps them out.
Read guideBrowse every guide by category
Each guide is written by a Talos technician for San Diego County homeowners and property managers.
Pest identification
6 guidesScorpions in San Diego: Identification and Risk
Cockroaches in San Diego: Identification and Control
Common Spiders in San Diego Homes
Recognizing Termite Swarmers in San Diego Homes
Roof Rats vs. Norway Rats: Recognizing the Rodent in Your Attic
Argentine Ants: Identification, Habits, and Control in San Diego
Prevention & exclusion
4 guidesTreatment & service
5 guidesWhat we publish and why
Most pest problems are preventable, and most prevention starts with knowing the species, the season, and the conditions involved. Our guides answer those questions before you need a service call.
Pest guides
Each guide covers identification, why the pest is present, and what actually prevents it, written for San Diego homes and the pests that live here rather than generic national advice that does not match our climate or our construction.
Seasonal timing
San Diego does not follow the pest calendars written for colder markets. Guides are organized around what is active in each part of the county and when, so you know what to watch for in spring versus late summer rather than guessing.
When to call
Where a problem is past prevention, the guides point to the service that handles it. If you are unsure, call us and we will tell you whether what you are seeing needs treatment or a correction you can handle yourself.
Questions, answered
Talos publishes technician-written guides on pest identification, prevention, exclusion, and treatment for the pests most common to San Diego County homes and businesses. Guides are grouped by category so you can find what you need quickly.
Yes. The behavior, seasonality, and pressure described in each guide reflect San Diego County conditions — coastal and inland neighborhoods, North County, East County, and South Bay.
No. The resource library is free to browse for any homeowner, renter, or property manager. If you want a technician to assess the issue at your property, request a free estimate.
Talos updates guides as pest activity, products, and best practices change. Seasonal and regional guides are reviewed ahead of each active season.
The Homeowner Living Blog is separate from this resource library and covers broader homeowner topics. Visit the blog from the navigation menu.
Yes. Call or text Talos Pest Control at 888-998-2847 with your question, and our team can point you to an existing guide or flag the topic for a future article.
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