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Spanish Pest Control Vocabulary

You've found cockroaches pouring from the drain, your landlord only speaks Spanish, and Google Translate just gave you escarabajo (that's beetle, not cockroach). Here's every word you'll need.

This is the complete English-to-Spanish pest control dictionary for expats in Spain. Over 100 words and phrases for talking to landlords, pest controllers, pharmacists, hardware store staff, and emergency services. Bookmark this page or print it for quick reference.

Pronunciation note

In Spanish, every letter is pronounced. Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable. The capitalised syllables in our pronunciation guides show where the stress falls. Roll your r's where you can, and remember that j sounds like a strong English h.

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Pest Names Landlord Pharmacy Pest Control Co. Emergency Hardware Store Property Terms

Pest Names in Spanish

The essential vocabulary for identifying pests. Use these when talking to your landlord, a pest controller, or searching online in Spanish.

English Spanish
Cockroach Cucaracha koo-kah-RAH-chah
German cockroach Cucaracha alemana / rubia ah-leh-MAH-nah / ROO-bee-ah
American cockroach Cucaracha americana / de alcantarilla ah-meh-ree-KAH-nah / deh al-can-tah-REE-yah
Ant Hormiga or-MEE-gah
Mosquito Mosquito mos-KEE-toh
Tiger mosquito Mosquito tigre mos-KEE-toh TEE-greh
Bed bug Chinche CHIN-cheh
Flea Pulga POOL-gah
Spider Araña ah-RAH-nyah
Scorpion Escorpión / Alacrán es-cor-pee-ON / ah-lah-CRAHN
Wasp Avispa ah-VEES-pah
Hornet Avispón ah-vees-PON
Rat Rata RAH-tah
Mouse Ratón rah-TON
Termite Termita ter-MEE-tah
Silverfish Pececillo de plata / Lepisma peh-seh-SEE-yoh deh PLAH-tah
Processionary caterpillar Procesionaria del pino pro-seh-see-oh-NAH-ree-ah del PEE-noh
Moth Polilla poh-LEE-yah
Fly Mosca MOS-kah
Tick Garrapata gah-rah-PAH-tah
Lice Piojos pee-OH-hos
Snake Serpiente / Culebra ser-pee-EN-teh / koo-LEH-brah
Woodworm Carcoma car-KOH-mah

Talking to Your Landlord

These are the phrases you'll need when reporting a pest problem to your landlord (casero) or building manager (administrador de fincas). Copy and paste them into a WhatsApp message if speaking feels too daunting.

There are cockroaches in the apartment

ES Hay cucarachas en el piso

They're coming from the drains

ES Salen por los desagües

We need pest control treatment

ES Necesitamos una desinsectación

We need a rodent treatment

ES Necesitamos una desratización

Who is responsible for paying?

ES ¿Quién es responsable del pago?

The community of owners should organise treatment

ES La comunidad de propietarios debería organizar un tratamiento

I've found termite damage

ES He encontrado daños de termitas

There's a wasp nest on the terrace

ES Hay un nido de avispas en la terraza

My dog touched a processionary caterpillar

ES Mi perro ha tocado una oruga procesionaria

There's a bad smell coming from the drains

ES Hay mal olor que sale de los desagües

I see ants in the kitchen every day

ES Veo hormigas en la cocina todos los días

I've found mouse droppings in the storage room

ES He encontrado excrementos de ratón en el trastero

Can you call the building manager?

ES ¿Puede llamar al administrador de fincas?

The problem is getting worse

ES El problema está empeorando

I need this in writing, please

ES Necesito esto por escrito, por favor

Tip: Under Spanish rental law (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos), the landlord is generally responsible for pest control in the common areas and for structural infestations. Keep all communication in writing and request responses by email or WhatsApp so you have a record.

At the Pharmacy (Farmacia)

Spanish pharmacists are knowledgeable and helpful. They can recommend treatment creams, antihistamines, and basic insect control products. These phrases will help you explain what you need.

I need something for insect bites

Necesito algo para picaduras de insectos

Do you have cockroach bait/gel?

¿Tiene cebo/gel para cucarachas?

Do you have boric acid?

¿Tiene ácido bórico?

Insect repellent

Repelente de insectos

Anti-itch cream

Crema antipicazón / antihistamínica

Flea treatment for dogs/cats

Tratamiento antipulgas para perros/gatos

Antihistamine tablets

Pastillas antihistamínicas

The bite is swollen and red

La picadura está hinchada y roja

I think it was a scorpion sting

Creo que fue una picadura de escorpión

Do you have mosquito plug-in refills?

¿Tiene recambios para el antimosquitos eléctrico?

Calling a Pest Control Company

When you need to call a professional (empresa de control de plagas), these phrases cover everything from booking an appointment to asking about safety and cost. See our guide to finding pest control companies in Spain.

I need pest control

Necesito control de plagas

Do you speak English?

¿Habla inglés?

How much does treatment cost?

¿Cuánto cuesta el tratamiento?

Is the treatment safe for pets/children?

¿El tratamiento es seguro para mascotas/niños?

How long do we need to leave the house?

¿Cuánto tiempo tenemos que salir de casa?

Do you offer a guarantee?

¿Ofrecen garantía?

I need a receipt/invoice

Necesito un recibo/factura

Can you treat the whole building?

¿Pueden tratar todo el edificio?

When can you come?

¿Cuándo pueden venir?

Do you have a licence/certification?

¿Tienen licencia/certificación?

Emergency & Medical Phrases

For severe allergic reactions, scorpion stings, or processionary caterpillar exposure. These phrases could save time in a critical situation.

112 Emergency

Spain's single emergency number

Call 112 for police, fire, or medical emergencies. Operators often speak English, but knowing a few key Spanish phrases will speed things up. Available 24/7, free from any phone.

I've been stung by a scorpion

Me ha picado un escorpión

I'm having an allergic reaction

Estoy teniendo una reacción alérgica

I need an ambulance

Necesito una ambulancia

My dog has been in contact with processionary caterpillars

Mi perro ha tenido contacto con orugas procesionarias

Where is the nearest emergency vet?

¿Dónde está el veterinario de urgencias más cercano?

My child has been bitten/stung

A mi hijo/a le ha picado algo

I can't breathe properly

No puedo respirar bien

I need to go to the hospital

Necesito ir al hospital

Hardware Store (Ferretería)

The DIY pest-proofing essentials you'll find at any Spanish hardware store. If you're sealing gaps, covering drains, or setting traps, these are the words you need. Check our guide to the best cockroach products in Spain for specific recommendations.

Silicone sealant

Silicona selladora

Drain cover / plug

Tapa de desagüe

Fly screen / mosquito net

Mosquitera

Insecticide spray

Spray insecticida

Mouse trap

Trampa para ratones

Sticky trap / glue trap

Trampa adhesiva

Caulk gun

Pistola de silicona

Steel wool

Lana de acero / estropajo metálico

Ant bait station

Cebo para hormigas

Cockroach gel syringe

Jeringa de gel para cucarachas

Rat poison / rodenticide

Veneno para ratas / raticida

Expanding foam

Espuma expansiva

Property & Home Terms

When describing where pests are entering or where damage has occurred, you'll need to name specific parts of your home. These terms appear constantly in conversations with landlords and pest controllers.

Drain

Desagüe

Sewer

Alcantarillado

Pipe

Tubería

Crack / gap

Grieta / Hueco

Attic

Desván / Buhardilla

Basement

Sótano

Balcony

Balcón

Terrace

Terraza

Garage

Garaje

Storage room

Trastero

Community of owners

Comunidad de propietarios

Building manager

Administrador de fincas

Kitchen

Cocina

Bathroom

Baño

Ceiling

Techo

Wall

Pared

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Spanish pest control companies speak English?
In tourist-heavy areas like the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, and Barcelona, many larger pest control companies have English-speaking staff. In smaller towns and inland areas, it is much less common. Having a few key Spanish phrases ready will save time and prevent miscommunication. This vocabulary guide covers the most important terms you will need.
What is the Spanish word for pest control?
The general term is "control de plagas." You may also see "desinsectacion" (insect treatment), "desratizacion" (rodent treatment), and "desinfeccion" (disinfection). When searching online for local services, try "empresa de control de plagas" (pest control company) plus your city name.
How do I explain my pest problem to a Spanish landlord?
Start with "Hay [pest name] en el piso" (There are [pests] in the apartment). Then describe where you see them. Key locations include "la cocina" (kitchen), "el bano" (bathroom), "los desagues" (drains), and "la terraza" (terrace). Ask "Quien es responsable del pago?" to clarify who pays for treatment. Under Spanish rental law, the landlord typically pays for pest control in the common areas, while tenants may be responsible for infestations caused by poor hygiene within the apartment.
Can I buy pest control products at a Spanish pharmacy?
Yes. Spanish pharmacies (farmacias) carry basic insect repellents, bite treatment creams, antihistamines, and some insecticide products. For specialised pest control products like gel bait or boric acid, you will have more luck at a hardware store (ferreteria) or ordering online from Amazon.es. Pharmacies are your best bet for treating bites and allergic reactions.
What should I say in a pest emergency in Spain?
Call 112 for emergencies. State "Necesito una ambulancia" (I need an ambulance) for severe allergic reactions, or "Necesito un veterinario de urgencias" (I need an emergency vet) if your pet is affected. For processionary caterpillar contact with a dog, say "Mi perro ha tocado una oruga procesionaria" and get to the nearest vet immediately. Time is critical with processionary caterpillar exposure in pets.
Is Google Translate reliable for pest-related Spanish vocabulary?
Google Translate can be misleading for pest terminology. It often gives overly formal or incorrect translations. For example, it may translate "cockroach" as "escarabajo" (beetle) or give you Latin American Spanish variants that are not used in Spain. This guide uses the everyday Spanish terms that a landlord, pharmacist, or pest controller in Spain will actually understand.