With over 22,000 species worldwide and several problematic species in New York state, ants are among the most persistent home invaders you'll encounter. The most serious threat comes from carpenter ants, which tunnel through wood to create nesting galleries, potentially causing thousands of dollars in structural damage if left untreated.
New York State hosts an impressive diversity of over 450 bee species, making it one of the most bee-rich states in the nation. While most native bees are beneficial pollinators that rarely sting, some species can pose serious problems for homeowners.
Bed bugs have become a significant public health concern in New York, with the state ranking among the worst in the country for infestations, and New York City ranking second nationally for metropolitan infestations. Beyond the painful, itchy bites, bed bugs cause severe psychological distress, with residents reporting increased anxiety and depression, sleep loss, and social stigma.
Fleas are tiny blood-feeding parasites that cause significant problems for both pets and homeowners. In New York and the Northeast, flea season typically begins in April due to the warm weather, but these persistent pests can survive year-round in heated homes. Approximately $9 billion is spent annually in the United States on flea control, making it one of the most significant single expenses for pet owners.
Mosquitoes are far more than just nuisance pests—they represent one of the deadliest threats to human health worldwide. These blood-feeding insects are responsible for transmitting serious diseases, including West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, and malaria.
Often referred to as the “Apocalypse survival bug,” roaches can survive in virtually any given situation – including nuclear explosions. There are literally thousands of roach species throughout the world, but less than one percent of all species are associated with human habitats.
There are an estimated 4,000 species of termites worldwide, but only about 10% are considered “economically significant” pests, meaning they can cause serious structural damage to buildings. Eastern Subterranean Termites are the most common termite species in North America.
There are over 800 known species of ticks worldwide. These parasitic arachnids are known to transmit diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, and rickettsiosis, to humans.
Wasps are complex social and solitary insects found throughout the world, with both aggressive and non-aggressive species that can vary dramatically in size and sting severity. These powerful insects are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits annually, with approximately 2 million Americans allergic to wasp venom and an average of 72 deaths per year from wasp stings in the United States.
