infestation
Vermin have arrived
An infestation is the presence of pests in troublesome numbers—insects, rodents, or other unwanted creatures that have established themselves where they don't belong: a termite infestation, The building had a severe cockroach infestation.
The word implies not just presence but problematic abundance, suggesting the pests have taken hold and spread.
It extends to anything that proliferates harmfully: an infestation of spam emails, a weed infestation in the garden.
Harmful small animals
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
- miceSmall gnawing mammals
- ratsLong-tailed urban pests
- cockroachesHardy household insect pests
termites · bedbugs · lice · fleas · ticks · ants · weevils · aphids
Dependent territorial settlement
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- hiveBee dwelling structure
- swarmMass of moving insects
- cloudAtmospheric water vapor mass
mass · multitude · throng · horde · plague · outbreak · invasion · wave
Exploiting a host organism
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
- hookwormIntestinal blood-feeding nematode
- roundwormParasitic cylindrical worm
- pinwormIntestinal nematode parasite
nematode · fluke · leech · tick · flea · louse · mite · scabies
Act of completely ruining
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- blightPlant disease causing decay
- defoliationLoss of foliage
- decayGradual organic breakdown
rot · contamination · spoilage · damage · erosion · degradation · crop loss · structural damage
Complete destruction of a group
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
eradication · spraying · baiting · prevention · inspection · quarantine · treatment · remediation
vermin
Harmful small animals
cockroaches · termites · bedbugs · lice · fleas · ticks · ants · weevils · aphids · mosquitoes
colony
Dependent territorial settlement
cloud · mass · multitude · throng · horde · plague · outbreak · invasion · wave · surge
parasitic
Exploiting a host organism
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
- hookwormIntestinal blood-feeding nematode
- roundwormParasitic cylindrical worm
pinworm · nematode · fluke · leech · tick · flea · louse · mite · scabies · ectoparasite
destruction
Act of completely ruining
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- blightPlant disease causing decay
- defoliationLoss of foliage
decay · rot · contamination · spoilage · damage · erosion · degradation · crop loss · structural damage · wood rot
extermination
Complete destruction of a group
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
trapping · eradication · spraying · baiting · prevention · inspection · quarantine · treatment · remediation · repellent
- pest controlinsecticide, rat trap, pesticide, mousetrap, exterminator
- crop threatspests, blight, drought, disease, insects
- farm hazardsdrought, frost damage, flood, hail damage, frost
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- cockroach factsGerman cockroach, American cockroach, egg case, nymph, antenna
- crop problemsblight, drought damage, crop disease, root rot, wilting
infestationabsence
State of not being
eradication · extermination · freedom · clearance · clean bill of health
infestationsterility
Absence of microbes or fertility
cleanliness · purity · sanitation · hygiene · immaculateness
- pest infestationHarmful organisms colonizing space
- flea infestationParasitic insect outbreak
- insect infestationHarmful bug population explosion
- lice infestationParasitic scalp colonization
- tick infestationExcessive parasitic arachnid presence