As the seasons shift, pest problems inevitably surge which makes awareness and proactive pest control essential for protecting homes and businesses. Understanding these trends empowers residents and property managers to respond swiftly and mitigate potential risk.
With this in mind, the professional pest control experts at Excel Pest Services have meticulously analysed comprehensive data to identify the states experiencing the highest level of pest activity, determine the most common pest in every state, and pinpoint the pests experiencing significant spikes in search interest. Equipped with this valuable insight, communities can implement targeted prevention strategies and timely interventions.
Which States Are the Worst for Pest Problems?
Excel Pest Services analysed a variety of data sources to provide accurate insights, including SEMrush, a digital analytics platform used for tracking online search trends and volumes. Using SEMrush data on how frequently residents in each state search for "pest control near me," combined with state population figures, Excel has developed a weighted ranking that accurately reflects the relative demand for pest control services across the country.
Georgia takes the top spot for the state with the worst pest problem, making it the busiest state for pest control queries per capita. The peach state even beat out Florida, despite Florida racking up a massive 12,100 searches each month compared to Georgia's 6,600.
Warm and humid climates naturally attract plenty of unwelcome guests, so it is no surprise that states like Alabama (2,900 searches), Tennessee (3,600 searches), Arizona (3,600 searches), North Carolina (4,400 searches), and South Carolina (1,900 searches) rank high on the pest popularity list. Interestingly, smaller states such as Delaware are also standing out, landing in the top ten despite fewer total searches (390 searches).
But on the flip side, residents of Montana (90 searches), Wyoming (50 searches), North Dakota (70 searches), and Alaska (90 searches) appear to have fewer pest concerns. These results likely reflect lower pest populations and climates less inviting to pests.
The Most Common Pest in Every State
On a national scale, snakes dominated the searches in 40 out of the 50 states, with particularly high search volumes in populous states like Florida (246,000 searches), Texas (201,000 searches), and California (201,000 searches).
The results of the data also highlight an interesting trend: urbanized and colder states have distinct pest issues related to indoor environments. New York records a notable 110,000 monthly searches for bed bugs, while Alaska sees 1,600 monthly searches for these tiny pests. This is particularly interesting because it demonstrates bed bugs' remarkable adaptability, thriving in dense, urban settings or colder climates where other pests typically struggle.
Unique regional pest issues also stand out clearly. Cicadas emerge as significant pests with 90,500 searches in Illinois and 33,100 searches in Tennessee. North Carolina experiences an unusual surge in hornet-related searches (74,000 searches), likely due to increased aggressive behavior and nest sightings. While in New Hampshire, ticks lead the concern with 1,600 searches monthly. This is likely due to their connection to serious health concerns such as Lyme disease.
The Pests America Fears Most
Excels data has uncovered some concerning spikes in pest-related anxiety across the country. Cane toads, an invasive species known for their toxic threat to pets, have seen an alarmingly high increase in search activity—Nevada recorded an 86% surge, Maine saw a 57% rise, and South Carolina and Minnesota both had around 50% jumps. This rise in search is probably related to the fact that cane toads multiply rapidly and pose significant ecological and safety hazards, making their spread genuinely concerning.
The results also revealed that Wyoming residents are increasingly troubled by boxelder bugs, with a staggering 129% increase in searches, indicating a serious regional infestation. These bugs aren't dangerous, but their sheer numbers and nuisance factor can quickly escalate, invading homes in large clusters.
Hornets, known for their aggressive nature and painful stings, are also a prominent concern. In states like Colorado and Hawaii, searches have increased by 50%, indicating that residents are becoming wary of encounters with these stinging pests, especially during warmer months.
Conclusion
From invasive amphibians to nuisance stingers, Excel Pest Services data reveals just how varied and ever-evolving America’s pest concerns are.
Warm, humid states like Georgia and Florida continue to see the highest demand for pest control, while specific pest types vary dramatically by region. Snakes continue to dominate national search interest, but bed bugs, hornets, and cane toads are gaining ground fast.
These insights offer valuable direction for where pest prevention and intervention efforts are most needed. Whether you're a homeowner in a high-risk state or a business facing a seasonal surge, staying informed is your best defence.
Don't let pests invade your peace of mind. Contact Excel Pest Services today and take control of your home or business.
