The Most Annoying Bugs In Boston

Most people aren’t fond of bugs, and homeowners often worry about infestations that could damage their property. Climate plays a significant role in the types and populations of insects in a given area, which means the most annoying bugs in Boston might differ from those in New York City, Dallas, and elsewhere.

The most annoying bug can also be a personal opinion. Despite that, Family Handyman used Google Trends to determine the most annoying pests in every state. For Massachusetts, the result wasn’t an insect but mice.

Are There a Lot of Bugs in Boston?

That might seem difficult to quantify, but two studies rank Boston high in the cities with the most bugs. One study ranked Boston as the fourth “buggiest” city in the U.S. after Hartford, CT; Columbus, OH; and Detroit, MI, respectively.

Another study reported by House Beautiful ranks Boston as the second most insect-filled city in America. In that survey, New York City tops Boston as number one. Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Detroit, MI; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Hartford-New Haven, CT; and Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN, complete the top ten list.

What Kind of Bugs Are in Boston?

Like most major cities, Boston has insects like mosquitoes, cockroaches, moths, red pavement ants, millipedes, and house crickets…to name just a few. The greater Boston area also deals with pests such as the wolf spider, western conifer seed bug, cicada killer wasp, and emerald ash borer.

What Is the Most Annoying Insect?

“Most annoying insect” depends upon your criteria. Is it the one that causes the most damage? Hardest to detect? Most painful or dangerous bites? Diseases they can transmit? Does it make a lot of noise?

The answer will vary according to which one is selected. That said, for the average homeowner, the buzz of a fly or whining sound of mosquitoes can be very annoying. This is especially true when trying to sleep at night… so they might top the list. Since both also carry disease, it’s a reasonable answer.

What Is the Most Dangerous Insect in New England?

When talking about the most dangerous insect, painful bites and diseases that can be transmitted are generally the criteria. Boston Magazine cites four insects as the most dangerous in New England:

• Black flies – because their bite can go unnoticed until it leads to bleeding
• Greenheads (a.k.a. horseflies) – because their painful bite can trigger allergic reactions
• Mosquitoes – which are the largest spreader of disease worldwide… including malaria and Zika

But Boston Magazine ranked one pest more dangerous than all others in New England—the deer tick. Why? Because of the increasing cases of Lyme disease caused by deer tick bites, which can be hard to spot and are more prevalent than ever.

Are Chiggers in Massachusetts?

First, it’s best to clarify what chiggers are. Scientifically, they are called ‘trombiculid mites,’ but they are also commonly known as chiggers, harvest mites, harvest lice, red bugs, and mower’s mites. And, did you know? They’re not technically insects, but arachnids – which puts them in the same family as ticks and spiders.

Chiggers can be found everywhere in the world, thriving in moist, grassy areas such as forests, fields, and lawns. Because they’re so tiny—often requiring a magnifying glass to see—people frequently get bitten before they even realize these pests are present.

Chigger larvae, not the adults, are the ones that bite humans, and they don’t fly. Instead, they gather on grass or leaves in large groups, waiting to attach themselves to people or animals passing by.

While chiggers are more commonly associated with the South, they’ve been found up and down the East Coast since the 1920s (though they are often referred to as harvest mites in some places). According to Dr. Sam Telford – a Tufts infectious disease authority – chiggers are definitely in Massachusetts, and he’s working on a case report about an infestation in Wenham.

What Are Corpse Flies?

Also known as coffin flies, corpse flies feed on and lay eggs in decaying material. While they can be found in excrement, they are more often associated with dead animals. They got their name because they’ve been known to enter coffins and infest dead bodies. Kinda gross, and not something you’ll want to sit and think about too much. Regardless, these flies are known to be everywhere in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.

If you’ve been seeing these flies around your home, here are a few suggestions:

First, you’ll need to find and clean up where they breed. This usually means checking drains, getting rid of rotting food, and using a special drain gel that targets fly larvae in your pipes. You can also use fly traps to catch and kill the adult flies. Make sure to wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces to remove food crumbs and throw away spoiled food right away.

Talk to the Pest Control Experts at Fox

Don’t let insects bug you. The experts at Fox Pest Control can handle all your home inspections and pest control needs. We can provide peace of mind for your family and prevent damage to your home. Contact us today.