WorkWave study analyzes most-hated pest in every state

Invasive pests cause $120 billion in damage every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pestpac by WorkWave recently analyzed Google Trends data to pinpoint the most searched and most feared pests in every U.S. state. Then, the company surveyed 1,000 Americans to learn how these pests affect their daily lives.

Key findings from the study

• Mosquitoes are the most hated pest in America, ranking #1 in 13 states.
• Bed bugs are the most hated in densely populated, high-travel states like California and New York.
• Ants dominate the South, taking the top spot in 5 states like Alabama and both North and South Carolina.
• Flies earned top-hated status in 5 states, particularly across the Midwest and Northeast.
• 63 percent of Americans believe climate change is causing local pest problems to increase.

More pest problems

Ants top the list of indoor pest problems in the U.S., with more than one in four Americans reporting ant issues inside their homes last year. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they dealt with ants, spiders or cockroaches in the past 12 months.

While ants were the most common pest overall, Gen Z broke the trend: 25 percent of Gen Zers reported cockroach infestations, while only 21 percent said ants were their biggest issue.

States with the most searches for ant problems include:

• North Carolina
• Hawaii
• South Carolina
• Louisiana

Warmer weather brings a spike in indoor infestations, with nearly two in three Americans reporting they spot pests in their homes several times a week during spring and summer. For more than 25 percent of respondents, these pests are a daily nuisance once the temperatures rise.

Pest stress

Some insects are just a nuisance, but others can trigger anxiety. Pests that cause the biggest spike in stress when they invade homes

Calling in the pros

While service contracts can make pest control more convenient and cost-effective, only about one in five Americans have one in place. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they prefer to pay per visit, opting for pest control only when the problem becomes unavoidable.

The study shows that 44 percent of Americans spend $50 or more per month battling bugs at home. Gen Z leads the way in pest control spending, with 57 percent shelling out $50 or more monthly. Baby boomers, on the other hand, take a more budget-friendly approach — only 25 percent report spending that much.

A good pest control team will use proven methods and technology to ensure effective treatments that actually bring lasting results and value to their customers.