Thumbtack Reveals America’s Buggiest Cities of 2026
Washington, D.C. tops Thumbtack's fifth annual ranking as homeowners across the country battle another busy pest season
Morgan Olsen•Thumbtack’s Home Expert•Last updated Aug 17, 2026
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
From mosquitoes buzzing around backyards to ticks taking over new territories, summer is peak pest season—and these unwelcome visitors can pose health, safety, and property risks for homeowners across the country.
To help homeowners stay ahead of infestations, Thumbtack analyzed pest control requests across the U.S. for its fifth annual Buggiest Cities report, revealing where pest activity is highest, which bugs are driving the most concern, and when it's time to call a pro.
There's a new buggiest city in town.
For the first time, Washington, D.C., claimed the top spot as America's Buggiest City, followed by Dallas, Austin, Baltimore, and Atlanta. A surge in mosquito control requests, three times the average rate of the nation's 40 largest metro areas, helped propel the nation's capital to the top of this year's rankings. Meanwhile, Houston, a longtime top-five city, dropped to number seven, marking its lowest ranking in the report's five-year history. Texas may have lost the crown, but with three cities in the top 10, the Lone Star State is still crawling with pest problems.
What's bugging America's cities?
Not every city has the same pest problem. While the overall rankings capture total pest activity, some cities have become hotspots for specific unwelcome visitors.
Washington, D.C., received mosquito control requests at three times the average per-capita rate of the nation's 40 largest metro areas, while San Francisco led the country for termite services at 3.4 times the average. Chicago, meanwhile, ranked first for bed bug extermination. The takeaway: where you live shapes the pests you're most likely to face.
Tips and tricks to keep creepy crawlers at bay.
While some pests are simply a nuisance, others can damage your home or pose health concerns for your family and pets. Here's what homeowners should know about some of the most common pests—and how to help keep them out.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers, spreading through luggage, clothing, upholstered furniture, and other personal belongings. They aren't a sign of poor housekeeping and can be found anywhere from hotels to apartment buildings to single-family homes. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing a small infestation from becoming a much bigger problem.
Prevention tips
- Inspect hotel mattresses and upholstered furniture before settling in.
- Keep luggage off beds and floors while traveling.
- Inspect and wash clothing after trips if you suspect exposure.
- If bed bugs return after treatment or spread beyond one room, it may be time to call a professional.
Mosquitos:
Thumbtack pro Kris Bagnara, Director of Service and an Associate Certified Entomologist at All U Need Pest Control Cypress, explains why mosquitoes thrive in the summer heat: “Mosquitoes during the peak of summer are reproducing at rapid rates because the heat speeds up their egg development which can have eggs develop into adults in around a week. The heat also makes them hungrier, and in need of resources so they bite more often as they look for those resources. The female mosquito also needs iron from blood to develop eggs, which sustains their reproductive cycles at this time of year. They can carry devastating diseases such as Zika, Malaria, and the West Nile virus.”
Prevention tips
- Empty standing water from buckets, planters, birdbaths, toys, and gutters.
- Keep grass and landscaping trimmed.
- Use screens on doors and windows.
- Consider professional mosquito treatments if activity is persistent or limiting outdoor use.
Bagnara adds: “At this time of year, the female mosquitoes that bite are very active, so using pest control methods such as using mosquito spray, or for more thorough protection throughout your property, having mosquito management from a professional can make all the difference. We recommend wearing long sleeves, hats, and limiting the amount of exposure your skin has especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.”
Termites:
Termites often work behind the scenes, making them one of the hardest pests to detect until damage has already occurred.
Watch for:
- Mud tubes
- Discarded wings
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Damaged trim
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick
If you notice these warning signs, scheduling a professional inspection early may help prevent more extensive damage.
Ticks:
Ticks may be tiny, but they can pose significant health risks to people and pets. With tick activity increasing and emergency room visits for tick bites higher than usual this year, homeowners should take extra precautions when spending time outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas.
Prevention tips
- Keep lawns mowed and remove leaf litter.
- Create a barrier between wooded areas and your yard.
- Check yourself, children, and pets after spending time outdoors.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent when appropriate.
The price of pests.
Whether you're dealing with mosquitoes in the backyard or termites inside the walls, the cost of pest control depends on the type of pest, the size of the infestation, and the treatment required. Here's what homeowners are typically paying for common pest control projects on Thumbtack.
Routine home maintenance can go a long way.
Routine home maintenance can go a long way toward preventing infestations. Simple steps include:
- Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and foundations.
- Repair damaged screens and weather stripping.
- Fix plumbing leaks and eliminate standing water.
- Clean gutters regularly.
- Trim shrubs and tree branches away from your home.
- Store food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs promptly.
- Keep trash containers tightly sealed.
- Store firewood away from the home's foundation.
When it comes to preventing pests, Bagnara says homeowners should start by looking for the conditions that may be inviting them in: “Really, the thing to be on the lookout for is conducive conditions that increase the chances of welcoming pests. This includes, accessible and open food and water, tucked away shelters with lots of nooks and crannies to hide (such as storage boxes), and standing water around the perimeter of the home which will attract pests. All of these contributing factors act as open invitations for pest pressure.”
When DIY is not enough, Thumbtack is here to help.
A small, isolated pest issue may sometimes be addressed with cleaning, sealing, traps, or another targeted treatment. However, professional help may be appropriate when:
- The pest cannot be confidently identified
- Activity continues after initial treatment
- Multiple rooms or areas are affected
- There are signs of structural damage
- The pest presents a health or safety risk
- Children or pets may be exposed
- Bed bugs, termites, or another difficult-to-eradicate pest are suspected
- The homeowner is repeatedly treating the symptoms without finding the source
While there’s plenty homeowners can do to prevent pests, Bagnara recommends leaving specialized treatments to the pros: “Professional pest control companies have access to pest control products that the public cannot purchase as these companies are licensed and trained to safely use these chemical treatments to target certain pests. I would not recommend doing this yourself, as these specialized treatments can be dangerous if not handled and applied correctly. The best thing homeowners can do is focus on conducive conditions, and limit the reasons within their home that pests may want to stick around. Reducing clutter, food crumbs, using air-tight food storage containers, and limiting standing water around your property are all great ways to keep the pests from wanting to stay in your home. In addition, inspecting weather stripping, wall cracks, window seals, and other points where pests may be able to get inside and seal them off will make a big difference in pests ability to get into your home. Typically, being proactive from that standpoint will do a lot to reduce pest problems, but sometimes specialized treatment is the more effective answer.”
Don't let pests take over your summer. Whether you're dealing with mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, or something else, Thumbtack can help you find a trusted local pro to get the job done. Download the Thumbtack app today.
Methodology
City rankings and national pricing estimates are based on consumer requests submitted on the Thumbtack platform between August 1, 2025, and July 26, 2026 for the following insect-related services: Bed Bug Extermination, Outdoor Mosquito Control Services, Outdoor Pesticide Application, Pest Control Services, Pest Inspection, Termite Control Services and Termite Inspection. Mosquito and termite services are newly included this year and were not part of the rankings in previous years.
Year-over-year growth compares this period to the equivalent period one year earlier (August 1, 2024, and July 26, 2025). Rankings reflect the relative frequency of these requests, adjusted for the population of each metropolitan area. Bug-specific city rankings are based only on requests for services related to that particular bug.
*A note about project costs featured in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.
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