What’s The Buzz? The Top Five Pests of 2021 Are In

The National Pest Management Association is sharing the most popular pests from this year

FAIRFAX, Va. (December 16, 2021) – As 2021 draws to a close, it’s tradition to pause and reflect on the past year. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is joining in on the fun by looking back on some of the most popular and talked about pests of 2021.

“Although 2021 was far from ordinary, pest activity was still a constant point of discussion on social media and in the news,” said Cindy Mannes, senior vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Because so many people were still working remotely, our research showed that homeowners were increasingly aware of pest activity in the home and were eager to get problems resolved.”

By reviewing annual data collected from media coverage, artificial intelligence research, keyword search volume and website analytics of its consumer site PestWorld.org, the NPMA determined the top five pests of 2021:

1. Flies had social media users all abuzz this year. These pesky bugs aren’t just a nuisance—they also transmit diseases and contaminate food. They can also reproduce at rapid rates, making them a commonly encountered pest all over the world.
2. Rodents were close behind flies in 2021 as a commonly discussed pest, especially during the colder months of the year. Winter’s chilly temperatures drive rats and mice indoors, where they can spread disease and cause structural damage to homes.
3. Regional pests including periodical cicadas, spotted lanternflies and stink bugs generated questions from curious East Coasters. Brood X cicadas are only seen every 17 years, which made their emergence in the late spring and early summer a nationally covered event.
4. Stinging insects saw plenty of attention in the warmer months as Americans spent more time outdoors. These pests can inflict painful stings, which send more than 500,000 people to the hospital annually.
5. Mosquitoes were also the center of attention during the summer with news coverage and social media conversations focusing on this vector pest. Their infamously itchy bites are annoying, but they can also transmit diseases like West Nile virus, Chikungunya and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) here in the U.S.

For more information about pest prevention, please visit www.PestWorld.org. If you suspect an infestation in your home, it is always recommended that you contact a licensed pest control professional to help resolve pest problems.

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About the National Pest Management Association
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube