Quick visual checklist
Even before the AI gives you an answer, a few quick checks narrow the field a lot. Run through these next time you spot something you don’t recognize.
Identification checklist
Check each clue below to narrow down what you saw.
Body shape
Round, long, flat, segmented, or pear-shaped
Number of legs
6 = insect, 8 = spider/mite, many = millipede/centipede
Wings
None, two, four, or covered by hard wing covers
Color and markings
Solid, striped, spotted, banded, iridescent
Size
Use a coin or fingertip for scale in your photo
Where you saw it
Bed, kitchen, bathroom, basement, plant, outdoors
Common “what bug is this?” answers
Many of the bugs people ask about are one of a small set of common species. If your bug looks like one of these, follow the linked guide for photos and next steps:
- Tiny black bugs in house — carpet beetles, fleas, springtails, ants, drain flies, beetle larvae.
- Tiny white bugs on plants — aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites.
- Tiny red bugs (clover mites) — bright red specks on window sills.
- Spiders — eight legs, no antennae, often with a web.
- Bites and welts — pattern-based identification.
What bug is this in my house? Identify it by where you found it
Where you spotted the bug is one of the strongest single clues to what it is. Use this quick reference to narrow it down, then follow the linked guide for photos and what to do next.
| Where you found it | Most likely bugs | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| In the bed or mattress | Bed bug nymphs, fleas, carpet beetle larvae | What kills bed bugs |
| Kitchen counter or pantry | Sugar ants, fruit flies, pantry weevils, small black beetles | Tiny black bugs |
| Bathroom, basement, or near drains | Drain flies, silverfish, springtails, booklice, cellar spiders | Tiny black bugs |
| On a houseplant | Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites, fungus gnats | Tiny white bugs |
| Garage, woodpile, or stored boxes | Wolf spiders, brown recluses (in range), centipedes, earwigs | Brown recluse ID |
| Outdoors, in grass or on walls | Wolf spiders, beetles, true bugs, tiny red clover mites | Wolf spider size |
Found it on your skin instead of in a room? It may be a bite rather than a bug — see bug bite identification.
How to take a good bug photo for identification
A clear photo doubles the AI’s accuracy. These tips work on any phone:
- Use natural light. Move toward a window or shine a flashlight from above.
- Zoom in, don’t crop later. Phone zoom keeps detail; cropping a wide shot loses it.
- Focus on the body. Tap the body on the screen until the focus locks.
- Include scale. A coin, fingertip, or ruler next to the bug helps.
- Take a top-down and a side shot. Each angle helps the AI in different ways.
Pest control disclaimer. Photo-based identification can help, but it is not always perfect. For dangerous spiders, large infestations, or anything you are unsure about, contact a licensed pest control professional.