vermin
Rats and roaches
Vermin are animals considered pests or nuisances—rats, mice, cockroaches, lice, and similar creatures that infest human spaces, spread disease, or destroy crops.
The word is uncountable and takes plural agreement: The vermin were everywhere.
Applied to people, vermin is a strong insult suggesting someone is worthless, disgusting, or deserving of extermination: He called the refugees vermin.
Surface residue or lowlifes
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- riffraffDisreputable or undesirable people
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- ratRodent or informer
snake · cockroach · pest · leech · bloodsucker · creep · sleazeball · bottom-feeder
Biting insect parasites
- ticksParasites or clock sounds
- liceBloodsucking scalp insects
- mitesMinuscule parasitic arachnids
- bedbugsBlood-feeding mattress insects
tapeworm · leech · hookworm · roundworm · pinworm · botfly · heartworm · scabies
Deadly epidemic disease
- pestilenceFatal epidemic disease
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
outbreak · transmission · carrier · vector · filth · contamination · rabies · typhus
Long-tailed urban pests
- miceSmall gnawing mammals
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
- cockroachesHardy household insect pests
- insectsSix-legged arthropods
flies · ants · termites · locusts · beetles · weevils · aphids · mosquitoes
Device for catching animals
- poisonHarmful ingested substance
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- exterminatorOne who eradicates vermin
bait · rodenticide · insecticide · eradication · culling · control · deterrent · repellent
scum
Surface residue or lowlifes
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- riffraffDisreputable or undesirable people
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
rat · snake · cockroach · pest · leech · bloodsucker · creep · sleazeball · bottom-feeder · scoundrel
fleas
Biting insect parasites
bedbugs · tapeworm · leech · hookworm · roundworm · pinworm · botfly · heartworm · scabies · mange
plague
Deadly epidemic disease
- pestilenceFatal epidemic disease
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
epidemic · outbreak · transmission · carrier · vector · filth · contamination · rabies · typhus · hantavirus
rats
Long-tailed urban pests
- miceSmall gnawing mammals
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
- cockroachesHardy household insect pests
insects · flies · ants · termites · locusts · beetles · weevils · aphids · mosquitoes · silverfish
trap
Device for catching animals
- poisonHarmful ingested substance
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
exterminator · bait · rodenticide · insecticide · eradication · culling · control · deterrent · repellent · sanitation
verminlivestock
Domesticated farm animals
game animals · pollinators · pets · companion animals · protected species
- vermin controlManaging unwanted animal populations