pests
They bother you
Pests are creatures that cause damage or annoyance—insects that destroy crops, rodents that infest buildings, animals that spread disease.
The word extends to people who won't leave you alone: My little brother is such a pest.
Pest control addresses the literal kind; social boundaries address the human variety.
Small gnawing mammals
- ratsLong-tailed urban pests
- squirrelsBushy-tailed nut gatherers
- molesBurrowing insectivore mammals
- volesSmall burrowing rodents
gophers · chipmunks · raccoons · possums · rabbits · vermin · droppings · gnawing
Hardy household insect pests
- antsSocial colony insects
- termitesWood-eating social insects
- bedbugsBlood-feeding mattress insects
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
fleas · lice · flies · wasps · aphids · weevils · moths · beetles
Harm to cultivated plants
- blightPlant disease causing decay
- infestationPest takeover situation
- swarmMass of moving insects
- fungusSpore-bearing organism
mildew · rust · scab · nematodes · weeds · boll weevil · corn borer · fruit fly
State of being bothered
- botherTo annoy or disturb
- irritantSource of vexation
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
- nagPester repeatedly
meddler · gadfly · intruder · vexation · harassment · unwanted · persistent · intrusive
One who eradicates vermin
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- trapDevice for catching animals
- baitLure for prey
- poisonHarmful ingested substance
fumigation · spray · repellent · rodenticide · bug bomb · eradication · deterrent · treatment
Irritating skin sensation
- stingsSharp piercing pains
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
welts · hives · scratching · irritation · allergic reaction · inflammation · discomfort · bumps
mice
Small gnawing mammals
voles · gophers · chipmunks · raccoons · possums · rabbits · vermin · droppings · gnawing · burrows
cockroaches
Hardy household insect pests
mosquitoes · fleas · lice · flies · wasps · aphids · weevils · moths · beetles · mites
crop damage
Harm to cultivated plants
- blightPlant disease causing decay
- infestationPest takeover situation
- swarmMass of moving insects
fungus · mildew · rust · scab · nematodes · weeds · boll weevil · corn borer · fruit fly · plague
annoyance
State of being bothered
- botherTo annoy or disturb
- irritantSource of vexation
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
nag · meddler · gadfly · intruder · vexation · harassment · unwanted · persistent · intrusive · bothersome
exterminator
One who eradicates vermin
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- trapDevice for catching animals
- baitLure for prey
poison · fumigation · spray · repellent · rodenticide · bug bomb · eradication · deterrent · treatment · prevention
itching
Irritating skin sensation
rash · welts · hives · scratching · irritation · allergic reaction · inflammation · discomfort · bumps · antihistamine
- crop farmingharvesting, planting, tractors, fertilizing, fertilizer
- annoying peoplehecklers, nuisance, meddlers, bore, busybodies
- crop threatsblight, drought, disease, insects, infestation
- farm hazardsdrought, frost damage, flood, hail damage, frost
- pestsants, ant, bugs, cockroach, cockroaches
- Tenant Problemseviction, late rent, noise complaints, mold, roaches
pestsbeneficial insects
Arthropods aiding agriculture
pollinators · natural predators · pest controllers · earthworms · ladybugs
- lawn pestCreature damaging grass
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- household pestsUnwanted animals in homes
- pest infestationHarmful organisms colonizing space
- garden pestHarmful backyard creature
- agricultural pestsOrganisms harming cultivated plants
pest, pesticide, pesticides, pestilence, pestilent, pestilential, pestiferous