The buggiest states in America are the ones that need pest control the most. Preventing and addressing pests, though, also requires careful and comprehensive cleaning. Pressure washing is an effective way to accomplish just that. In case you didn’t know, pressure washing offers several benefits, one of which is controlling pests in residential and commercial properties.
These Are the Buggiest States in America
A recent study of Google searches for bugs in the United States yielded fascinating results. It unveiled which states experience the most pest problems and which bugs cause the most distress for citizens. California topped the list with almost 47,000 bug-related searches per month, with Texas coming in close with about 40,000 searches. In third place was Florida, with about 32,000 searches per month.
Here are the buggiest states in America.
1. California
In California, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 16,260
Termites – 10,000
Ants – 8,710
Cockroaches – 4,910
Spiders – 2,720
Mosquitos – 1,770
Ticks – 1,240
Wasps – 1,180
Total searches: 46,790
2. Texas
In Texas, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 15,740
Termites – 9,290
Ants – 6,230
Cockroaches – 2,920
Mosquitos – 2,010
Spiders – 1,840
Wasps – 1,580
Ticks – 1,250
Total searches: 40,860
3. Florida
In Florida, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Termites – 12,490
Bed bugs – 8,390
Ants – 3,830
Mosquitos – 2,670
Cockroaches – 2,260
Spiders – 1,480
Wasps – 600
Ticks – 490
Total searches: 32,210
4. New York
In New York, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 8,390
Ants – 4,710
Termites – 3,180
Cockroaches – 2,210
Spiders – 1,100
Ticks – 970
Mosquitos – 910
Wasps – 720
Total searches: 22,190
5. Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 5,660
Ants – 4,340
Termites – 2,570
Cockroaches – 1,090
Spiders – 780
Wasps – 560
Mosquitos – 430
Ticks – 420
Total searches: 15,850
6. Illinois
In Illinois, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 6,790
Ants – 3,670
Termites – 1,680
Cockroaches – 1,020
Spiders – 850
Wasps – 590
Ticks – 500
Mosquitos – 430
Total searches: 15,530
7. Georgia
In Georgia, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 6,270
Termites – 2,570
Ants – 2,100
Mosquitos – 1,100
Cockroaches – 1,020
Spiders – 770
Wasps – 430
Ticks – 320
Total searches: 14,580
8. North Carolina
In North Carolina, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 5,380
Ants – 2,370
Termites – 2,310
Cockroaches – 1,180
Mosquitos – 670
Spiders – 580
Wasps – 390
Ticks – 320
Total searches: 13,200
9. Virginia
In Virginia, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 3,720
Ants – 2,510
Termites – 2,260
Cockroaches – 1,030
Mosquitos – 630
Spiders – 560
Wasps – 350
Ticks – 340
Total searches: 11,400
10. Michigan
In Michigan, pest-related searches can be broken down as follows:
Bed bugs – 5,060
Ants – 2,020
Spiders – 890
Termites – 840
Cockroaches – 780
Mosquitos – 500
Ticks – 430
Wasps – 390
Total searches: 10,910
Most Prevalent Pest Problems
There are many pests in the United States, but the study found that eight, in particular, are on people’s radar more than others.
Bed Bugs. Bed bugs are the bane of every resident’s existence, topping the list with a whopping 154,240 searches. While they don’t carry disease, they can cause nasty itching, making it hard to stay asleep throughout the night. In 2010, the EPA and CDC joined forces to designate bed bugs as pests of public health significance.
Ants. Ants are a problem everywhere, but California, Texas, and New York have the most ant-related searches. Regarding health, ants can transmit food-borne disease organisms such as E. coli, salmonella, and shigella.
Termites. Florida, Texas, and California suffer the most from termites, which are known to destroy wooden structures and furniture. Homeowners are very wary of these insects, as they can turn a comfortable home into a nightmare of expensive repairs.
Cockroaches. They aren’t just fear-inducing bugs. Cockroaches carry dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, leprosy, listeriosis, coli, giardia, shigellosis, and more.
Spiders. Given their climates, California, Florida, and Texas are perfect breeding spots for spiders. Although spiders don’t transmit diseases, they can have a mean bite or sting. Sometimes, their bites or stings can even cause severe allergic reactions.
Mosquitos. These pesky bloodsuckers are known to carry diseases such as malaria, dengue, the Zika virus, the Chikungunya virus, and the West Nile virus.
Wasps. Wasps are more common in warmer climates and states with large outdoor expanses. Wasp, bee, and hornet stings lead to an average of 72 deaths per year.
Ticks. California, Texas, and New York are hotspots for ticks. Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis.
How Can Pressure Washing Help?
While most people turn to pest control services, there are some benefits to hiring a pressure washing company to address your pest problem. Pressure washing can not only get rid of pests, but it can also prevent pests from shacking up on your property.
Here are the ways pressure washing can help with pest control.
1. Blast Bugs Away
The most obvious way is the physical aspect of pressure washing. A pressure washer sprays water with such force that it can effectively blast insects away. Say goodbye to ants, spiders, and spider webs that linger on your home’s exterior.
2. Remove Food Sources and Hiding Spots
Pests are drawn on food sources and debris where they can set up a nest. You will find these food sources and hiding spots in small crevices and at the base of your exterior foundation. Instead of cleaning these up individually, you can eliminate them efficiently with a pressure washer.
3. Prevent Cracks on Exteriors
Pests typically enter your home through cracks and holes in walls and roofs. Regular pressure washing prevents these cracks from forming by keeping your property in good condition. Cleaning prevents the accumulation of dirt, mold, and other contaminants that may cause premature deterioration.
4. Skip Harsh Pest Repellents
When faced with a pest problem, your first instinct might be to break out your bug spray or pest repellent. Most of the time, though, these sprays and repellents are made of harsh chemicals, which are bad for your health and the environment. Instead of taking the risk, you can get rid of pests naturally by committing to a regular pressure washing schedule.
5. A Great Way to Clean for Spring
Spring is usually when pests come out of hiding after a long winter. It’s also the time they start to mate, increasing in number. To avoid this unfortunate turn of events, begin spring cleaning early. And what better way to get started on that than with pressure washing?
Leave It to the Professionals
The buggiest states in America come as no surprise, considering their climate, density, and ecosystems. While these factors are out of anyone’s control, there are some things property owners can do to address or prevent a pest problem proactively. Pressure washing is an efficient and effective way to clean surfaces and offers the benefit of controlling pests. Not everyone knows how to pressure wash properly, though, so it’s best to hire professionals to do it.
Washh offers expert residential and commercial pressure washing services. Call us today at 704.321.8000 or contact us online to get a free estimate!
