The Pests That Ruled 2021

The pests of 2021 are primarily the same ones that torment us almost every other year. So what’s so special about 2021? COVID-19 had most of us working remotely, and spending a great deal more time at home made us more aware of our pest removal needs.

The National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA)Top Five Pests of 2021

After reviewing analytics from their website, pest world.org, and gathering statistics from other sources, the NPMA compiled a list of the top five pests in our homes and offices in 2021:

1. Flies made the top of the pest list. Not only because they’re found throughout the world but also because they transmit disease and contaminate our food. Flies don’t have teeth and need to spit to turn their food into liquid to eat. This eating process has been known to spread malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis.
2. Fossil evidence reveals that rodents have been living among humans for at least 15,000 years. They sneak through cracks in homes as the weather turns cold, seeking a reliable source of food and shelter for breeding. Contaminating our food and countertops with their urine and feces, rodents are also extremely destructive. As they build their nests and pathways to food and water, they eat through insulation, electrical wires, and sheetrock, making rodent removal a priority.
3. Cyclical, regional pests like cicadas, spotted lanternflies, and stink bugs made their appearance in 2021. While these pests are not as detrimental to our health or as destructive, their presence in an already difficult year was undesirable.
4. Stinging insects including bees, wasps, and Yellowjackets became a greater source of concern as families spent more time in their yards in the warmer weather. In addition to their painful stings, many people have allergies that can cause reactions ranging from hives and rashes to dangerous swelling of the throat that sends about 500,000 people to the hospital each year.
5. Mosquitoes can not only put a damper on outside fun but they can also transmit harmful diseases such as West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

All the Other Usual Suspects

While 2021 was unusual in many ways, bugs that may not have made the top five list such as termites, ants, spiders, fleas, and bedbugs continued their usual home invasions. If pests are bugging you, calling a pest removal specialist quickly can preserve you and your family’s health and save you costly repairs from the damage these pests create.

Call Ecola at 800-471-BUGS (2847) for a free home inspection. Free quotes cheerfully quoted over the phone!