Do You Know the Most Common Pests in Your State?

From the northern tip of Maine to southern San Diego County, here are pests most likely to invade your home, based on where you live.

Written by Kristine Hansen

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Photo by Prabir Kashyap / Unsplash

As many cabin owners have learned the hard way, an invasion of pests can quickly zap any and all plans you had to kick back and relax at the cabin. But, as cabin owners also know, bugs are simply a part of life in the country. The good news is, there are a variety of ways to not just treat, but also prevent local creepy crawlies from making their way inside.

Wondering what bugs you even need to worry about? The experts at Groundworks analyzed state and regional records for all 50 states and have detailed what pests are the biggest problem in each state. From the northern tip of Maine to southern San Diego County, here are pests most likely to invade your home, based on where you live:

Carpenter Ants

Where to find them: Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Despite the “carpenter” reference in their name, these large black or red/black ants aren’t sporting Carhartt overalls. But like your favorite handyman, they are efficient, building nests inside damp or damaged wood.

Carpenter Bees

Where to find them: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee

Carpenter bees (black bodies with yellow thoraxes, and smoother and shinier than most bee species) love to drill holes into untreated wood to carve out tunnels. Carpenter bees can be quite the concern for log cabin owners; find out more about how to handle them here.

Cockroaches

Where to find them: Delaware, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia

There are about 50 species, but they all share some common features, like their two-inch length, antennae and six legs. Aim to eliminate moisture, dirty dishes, garbage, food crumbs and uncovered food, which they see as a welcome mat.

Fire Ants

Where to find them: Nevada, New Mexico and South Carolina

These small, six-legged ants sport a dark, red-brown hue and antennae. And, boy, do their bites sting! According to Groundworks, "Fire ants can cause billions of dollars in property damage each year. They disrupt the ground and can cause structural problems if nests are built beneath foundations, pavement, or cement."

Scorpions

Where to find them: Arizona and Utah

Just because these golden tan bugs with spindly legs are invading homes in only two states doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. They hide—often at newly constructed homes—in dark, obscure places such as under furniture, or in cabinets or crawlspaces.

Spiders

Where to find them: Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming

There are tens of thousands of types of spiders, and many are harmless and a helpful part of the ecosystem. Some species pose human health risks, but none are really desirable roommates. They build nests in quiet, off-the-beaten-path areas within your home, but regular maintenance should prevent any unwanted visitors.

Termites

Where to find them: Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia

These white-to-light-brown bugs (their antennae and soft bodies are common in all 40 species) nibble fiercely on exterior wood walls, especially if there’s soil or mulch near the foundation.