Standard home and renters insurance policies do not cover pest infestations or the damage they cause. Insurers view pests (like termites, mice, and bed bugs) as preventable maintenance issues. You are typically responsible for both the extermination costs and the repairs.
But is pest control covered by homeowner's insurance? It may be possible to find coverage for collateral damage caused by insects and other pests, but generally homeowners insurance coverage for pest control is not available.
Exterminators widely agree that bed bugs are the hardest pest to get rid of. Their ability to hitchhike, resilience against over-the-counter pesticides, and talent for hiding in microscopic crevices make DIY eradication nearly impossible.
A pest infestation occurs when a large number of unwanted organisms—such as insects, rodents, or parasites—invade a specific area. This typically results in property damage, health hazards, or unsanitary conditions.
Avoid making guesses or unsupported statements about what caused the damage to your property. Speculating can lead to inaccuracies in the adjuster's report, potentially affecting your claim.
The insurance company that denies the most claims depends heavily on the type of insurance you are referring to:
The 80% rule in homeowners insurance dictates that your dwelling coverage must equal at least 80% of your home’s total replacement cost. Meeting this threshold ensures your insurance company covers the full cost of repairs (minus your deductible) for a covered loss.
The Four Main Categories of Pests. Pest classification helps professionals determine the most effective strategies for management and elimination. Each category has unique characteristics, life cycles, and methods of causing harm. The main categories are insects, plant diseases, weeds, and vertebrates.
Steps for Handling a Pesticide Spill. If a pesticide spill occurs, follow the three C's: 1) Control, 2) Contain, 3) Clean Up.
Most bugs hate strong, plant-based and herbal scents—especially mint (peppermint), lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, and garlic. These potent odors overwhelm insects' olfactory receptors, masking the carbon dioxide and sweat signals they use to track food.
The Top 10 Most Common Household Pests and How to Identify Them
The mayfly is the most famous insect known for an adult lifespan of just 24 hours (with some species lasting only a few minutes or hours). As adults, they have no functional mouthparts and do not eat; their sole purpose in this short window is to swarm, mate, and lay eggs.
But there are a few ways to tell the difference. Pattern: Bed bug bites may appear in a linear pattern, as a series of multiple bites in a row or a zigzag. Flea bites often show up in clusters of three (sometimes also in a straight line).
The "worst" pest depends on what you value most. Termites are the worst for your wallet due to structural damage, while bed bugs and German cockroaches are the worst for your peace of mind and health due to rapid reproduction and disease risk.
Kill the Bed Bugs
Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding, earthquakes or poor maintenance. Flood coverage is provided by the federal government's National Flood Insurance Program, although it is purchased from an insurance agent.
Bed bugs are widely considered the worst household pest due to their extreme difficulty to eradicate, mental toll, and financial cost to eliminate, followed closely by termites for structural damage and German roaches for health risks. These pests are notoriously hard to kill because they hide in tiny crevices and are highly resilient to DIY treatments.
When dealing with a bed bug infestation on a tight budget, the most effective strategy relies on consistent, physical removal and heat treatment rather than expensive chemical sprays. The process requires immense patience and a step-by-step approach.
How to Keep Bugs Out of the House: 11 Easy Hacks
Exterminators most commonly use diatomaceous earth or insecticidal dusts (like Deltamethrin) to treat cracks, crevices, and wall voids. These powders are applied to control pests like ants, roaches, and bed bugs.
For a quick summary of what not to do afterwards, read on.
Chemical pest control methods are the most widely used approach to pest control. They are also commonly used to control weed infestations and diseases in crops.
Identify & Control Common Pests
1. Termites. Often called “silent destroyers,” termites are among the most costly and damaging pests homeowners face. Because they feed on wood from the inside out, they can go unnoticed for months or even years, all while weakening the very structure of a home.
Termites dislike strong scents like clove oil, neem oil, tea tree oil, and orange oil. These natural repellents can help deter them but aren't a permanent solution. Worker and soldier termites usually live 1–2 years, while termite queens can survive for over a decade, sometimes up to 25 years in ideal conditions.