After clearing our name in not being the rattiest city in America, we’ve been quickly humbled with the rankings of the most pest-infested states in the country. According to a study from Compare the Market Australia, New York is the third most pest-infested state in the country.
To conduct their study, Compare the Market Australia analyzed Google search data for different pests across U.S. states and Australian cities. For now, we’re only going to be taking a look at the pest hotspots in America.
From fleas, to bed bugs, and rats, New York is no stranger to the creepy crawlers and vermin. However, at least we’re not number one. Taking the throne as the most pest-infested state in the U.S. is Florida. Home to the highest population of snakes in the country, for every 100,000 people in Florida, there are 887 snakes. Florida is also home to the second-largest termite population in the U.S. Who knew there were more than gators to fear!
Following close behind in second place is the state of Washington. Besides being the third most snake-infested state, Washington has plenty of wasps and above average numbers for ants and rats. Sadly, New York follows in third with the second-highest search volume for rats (Masschusetts takes first), ants, and the third-highest for wasps. The top 20 states have been listed below.
The 20 most pest infested states in the United States:
- Florida
- Washington
- New York
- Georgia
- Virginia
- Texas
- Utah
- California
- Massachusetts
- Arizona
- Nevada
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma
- Illinois
- Oregon
- North Carolina
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- Ohio
Learn more from the study here.