🏙️ Top 10 Pests You’ll Find in Chicago Homes
Chicago isn’t just known for deep-dish pizza and skyscrapers — it’s also one of the top cities in the country for pest problems. From bed bugs to rodents, our mix of old buildings, harsh winters, and dense neighborhoods makes it a haven for unwanted guests.
Here are the 10 most common pests Chicago homeowners and renters deal with — and how to protect your home.
1. 🐀 Rats & Mice
Why they’re common: Abundant food waste and city infrastructure make perfect nesting spots.
Signs: Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching in walls or ceilings.
ProTip: Seal foundation cracks and store food in airtight containers.
2. 🪳 Cockroaches
Why they’re common: Thrive in warm, moist kitchens and older apartment buildings.
Signs: Small black droppings, musty odor, night sightings.
ProTip: Don’t rely on sprays — Sleep Tight uses gel baits and growth regulators for long-term control.
3. 🛏️ Bed Bugs
Why they’re common: Chicago ranks #1 in the nation for bed bug infestations.
Signs: Itchy red bites, blood spots on sheets, black dots on mattress seams.
ProTip: Call Sleep Tight immediately at the first sign — early detection saves time and money.
4. 🐜 Ants
Why they’re common: Seek moisture and food in spring and summer.
Signs: Trails of small brown or black ants in kitchens and around windows.
ProTip: Keep surfaces clean and avoid crushing ants — it spreads pheromones that attract more.
5. 🕷️ Spiders
Why they’re common: Move indoors chasing other insects.
Signs: Webs in corners, basements, and windows.
ProTip: Routine pest service removes their food source, preventing spider activity naturally.
6. 🪰 Flies
Why they’re common: Thrive in summer humidity and near garbage.
Signs: Flies around drains, fruit, or trash.
ProTip: Keep trash covered and use monthly pest prevention treatments.
7. 🐿️ Squirrels
Why they’re common: Enter attics and chimneys in older homes.
Signs: Running sounds above ceilings, droppings, chewed insulation.
ProTip: Sleep Tight provides humane exclusion and attic sealing to keep them out.
8. 🪲 Beetles
Why they’re common: Feed on stored food and fabrics.
Signs: Bugs in flour, rice, or small holes in clothing.
ProTip: Store dry goods in sealed containers and check regularly for pests.
9. 🦟 Mosquitoes
Why they’re common: Breed in standing water during Chicago’s warm months.
Signs: Buzzing at dusk and itchy bites.
ProTip: Our mosquito treatments create an outdoor barrier that lasts for weeks.
10. 🐝 Wasps & Hornets
Why they’re common: Build nests around decks and garages in summer.
Signs: Visible paper nests and increased outdoor activity.
ProTip: Don’t remove nests yourself — our team eliminates them safely and prevents regrowth.
✅ Final Thoughts
Pests are part of life in Chicago — but infestations don’t have to be. Whether it’s bed bugs downtown or rodents in the suburbs, Sleep Tight Pest Control has you covered.
📞 Call (773) 240-5932 or book your inspection online to protect your home year-round.
