When an insect scurries across the floor or buzzes by, it serves as an unwelcome reminder that these uninvited guests are lurking in our homes. Some may appreciate bugs’ role in ecosystems, but most individuals hate the pests that encroach on their homes.
To better understand which bugs Americans despise the most, Today’s Homeowner conducted a nationwide survey of 3,543 people, asking them to choose their most hated insect from a list of 20 common household pests. Let’s take a look at the results.
Key Results
Cockroaches are the most hated bug in 29 states, making them the most universally disliked pest in the country.
Bed bugs rank as the top pest in nine states.
Spiders and mosquitoes round out the top three and four most hated bugs in the other 12 states.
There are regional differences in which bugs Americans hate most, but four pests stood out as the most universally despised across the U.S. Let’s take a closer look at these unwanted houseguests and why they’ve earned such a negative reputation.
1. Cockroaches
Cockroaches reign supreme as the most hated bug in America, topping the list in 29 states. These resilient pests have survived for hundreds of millions of years.
They can survive a month without food, two weeks without water, and even up to a week without their head. Their ability to spread bacteria and aggravate allergies makes them particularly unwelcome in homes.
Cockroaches are nocturnal scavengers, emerging at night to search for food scraps. This often leads to unpleasant encounters with squeamish homeowners. Their reputation for resilience and their association with uncleanliness contribute to the widespread dislike. Moreover, they multiply quickly, and a small problem can quickly become an infestation.
2. Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are the most hated pest in nine states. These tiny, blood-sucking insects are expert hitchhikers—they spread by hiding in luggage and thrive in areas with heavy travel and dense populations. Once inside a home, they emerge at night to feed on human blood, leaving behind itchy bite marks.
Bed bugs are particularly notorious in New York City but are becoming more of a problem across the country’s northern half. Their ability to quickly infest a home and the difficulty in eradicating them contribute to people’s dislike. They can cause sleepless nights and psychological distress, and eradicating them often involves disruptive and costly treatments.
3. Spiders
Spiders strike fear in the hearts of many homeowners, ranking as the most hated pest in six states: Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah. Despite their important role in controlling bug populations, many view spiders as frightening intruders.
It’s not a surprise with their long, hairy legs and sometimes venomous bites. The fear of spiders, or arachnophobia, is one of the most common phobias. Spiders’ ability to suddenly appear from corners or drop from ceilings can make them seem especially terrifying.
4. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes top the list in four states: Iowa, Kansas, Montana, and Pennsylvania. Buzzing mosquitoes disrupt outdoor activities during the spring and summer, leading many homeowners to invest in pest control devices.
Only female mosquitoes bite, using human blood to develop their eggs. At best, these bites cause annoying itchy welts, but at worst, mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases such as West Nile virus. This combination of nuisance and health risk makes mosquitoes a particularly hated pest in some regions.
Honorable Mentions: Ticks and Centipedes
Though they didn’t make the top four, other pests, such as ticks and centipedes, still cause annoyance and anxiety. Deer ticks—which can transmit Lyme disease—cause significant concern among residents of Maine. This tiny but potent pest has made itself public enemy number one in the state.
Across the ocean in Hawaii, the focus shifts to another feared pest: the centipede. Unlike the benign household pest of other climates, Hawaii’s centipedes are aggressive, with venomous bites that can lead to painful skin inflammation.
Breaking Down the Results
Our survey data reveals intriguing patterns of pest opinions across different demographics and regions. These differences hint at practical implications and regional concerns related to pest control.
Gender Differences
While both men and women agree that cockroaches are the most loathed bug, differences emerge in other rankings. Men find mosquitoes annoying enough to rank them as their second most hated pest. Women, on the other hand, dislike bed bugs so much that these blood-sucking parasites secure second place. Spiders round out the top three for both.
Regional Variations
Cockroaches dominate as the most hated pest in 29 states, but bed bugs take the top spot in nine, primarily in northern regions where they’ve become increasingly problematic. The rise in travel and urban living has made bed bugs a formidable enemy in areas with high population density.
Spiders and mosquitoes each claim the title of most hated pest in several states, reflecting regional differences in pest populations and concerns. Mosquitoes can be more disruptive in areas with prevalent outdoor activity, while regions home to more dangerous spider species might be more arachnophobic.
Surprising Contenders
Scorpions, only found in the southwest, made the top 10 list despite their limited geographic range. This suggests that the psychological impact of rarer pests can outweigh their actual threat level. Roughly 2.6% of respondents named scorpions as their top detested pest.
Dealing with America’s Most Hated Pests
Let’s explore the best pest control strategies to eradicate some of these common foes.
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Cockroach Prevention and Control
You need comprehensive measures to keep cockroaches at bay due to their resilience and adaptability. Seal entry points around the home. This involves filling gaps and cracks, particularly around windows, doors, and where utilities enter the building.
Keep spaces clean—cockroaches are attracted to food scraps and waste. Store food in airtight containers, regularly clean the kitchen, and promptly remove trash. Cockroach baits or traps in problem areas can help as well. Strategic placement can intercept cockroaches as they move through the house, limiting their reach and reducing their numbers.
Read More: How To Deal With Wasps in Your Lawn
Bed Bug Management
Bed bugs can be particularly challenging to manage, given their ability to hide in small crevices and hitch rides on clothing and luggage. When traveling, inspect hotel rooms for bed bugs and change rooms or hotels if you spot signs.
Wash and dry clothes on high heat after traveling to kill any bed bugs you’ve picked up during trips. Use mattress and box spring covers to stop the insects from reaching your resting areas.
Schedule professional heat treatments for severe bed bug infestations. These treatments penetrate deep into furniture, killing bugs that might otherwise escape less thorough methods. Investing in professional pest control often results in more targeted and effective treatments.
Spider Control
Targeting spider entry points and habitats is key. Seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors, and remove webs when you find them. Keep storage areas clutter-free to reduce hiding places.
If you prefer natural methods, repellents such as peppermint oil or vinegar can deter spiders without chemicals. These natural options offer a fragrant alternative to keep spiders at bay.
Mosquito Prevention
Reducing mosquito populations around the home requires addressing their breeding grounds and minimizing opportunities for contact. Eliminate standing water, such as bird baths, clogged gutters, or uncovered buckets.
Plant mosquito-repelling plants, such as citronella or lavender. Install or repair window and door screens to allow ventilation without inviting mosquitoes indoors. Using mosquito traps indoors and EPA-approved insect repellents outdoors can offer further protection against bites.
FAQs About America’s Most Hated Bugs
Cockroaches are viewed negatively for several reasons:
- They feed on decaying matter and spread germs.
- Their presence can indicate a cleanliness issue.
- They’re resilient pests that can be difficult to eradicate.
- Their appearance—long antennae and spiny legs—triggers disgust in many people.
Bed bugs move from place to place by clinging onto clothing, luggage, furniture, and more. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in tiny crevices. They also reproduce very quickly, with each female laying hundreds of eggs.
Most spider species are not harmful to humans, but some spiders can inflict painful bites that cause mild to moderate reactions. A small number of spiders, such as black widows and brown recluses, have highly venomous bites that can require medical treatment. People tend to fear spiders because of their appearance and potential to bite.
To avoid mosquito bites, limit outdoor time at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin. Also, make sure window and door screens are intact. Remove standing water sources around your home where mosquitoes breed.
Methodology
We conducted a survey from February 25 to March 5, 2021, asking 3,543 Americans to pick their most hated pest out of a list of 20 common household bugs.
The survey participants represented diverse demographics and were not limited to any specific gender, age, or geographic group. Out of the respondents, 1,721 were women, 1,783 were men, and 39 preferred not to give their gender. With this large sample size, we estimate the margin of error for our findings to be approximately 2%—a pretty accurate sample size.
