Thumbtack Reveals 2025’s Buggiest Cities, With Austin Crawling to the Top
Our 4th annual report unveils which cities are getting stung, plus expert tips and tricks to beat the bugs this season.
Aldo Ceja•Last updated Aug 20, 2025
Last updated Aug 20, 2025
Summer is prime time for pests, and with two-thirds of the country facing a muggier-than-usual summer, bugs are out in full force. For the fourth year running, we’re releasing our annual roundup of the buggiest cities in the U.S., based on requests for pest control services nationwide. We’re also sharing pro-approved strategies to help homeowners stay one step ahead of the seasonal swarm.
The top 10 buggiest cities in America.
(Note: Arrows represent whether cities have moved up or down the list compared to 2024 results)
- Austin ⬆(requests +19% YoY)
- Dallas ⬆ (requests +9% YoY)
- Washington, D.C. ⬇ (requests -1% YoY)
- Atlanta ⬇(requests -5% YoY)
- Houston (requests +5% YoY)
- Baltimore ⬇(requests +1% YoY)
- Charlotte (requests +16% YoY)
- San Francisco ⬆(requests +19% YoY)
- West Palm Beach ⬇(requests -9% YoY)
- Miami ⬇(requests -6% YoY)
Bugs go big in Texas.
Austin has officially claimed the bug crown for 2025, leaping five spots from last year to sit atop the pest control rankings. But it’s not just Austin making moves; Texas as a whole is crawling up the charts, with three cities seeing a surge in pest control requests. Meanwhile, the South and Southeast continue to dominate the pest control landscape, thanks to their warm, rainy, and humid climates that keep pests buzzing year-round.
The price of pest-free living.
Wondering what it’ll cost to kick pests to the curb? Here’s a peek at the national average cost of pest control projects being tackled right now.
- Bed Bug Exterminators: $151 — $513
- Outdoor Pest Control: $99 — $249
- Exterminator: $111 — $280
Bug off: tips and tricks to avoid the creepy crawlers.
Household pests have a knack for showing up uninvited, but we’ve got the tips and tricks to help you reclaim your space. From simple DIY fixes to pro-level pest control strategies, we’ll help keep your home bug-free.
- Maintain your drains: Fruit flies are drawn to moist environments, particularly kitchen and bathroom drains. For a simple and effective method to deter them, try pouring a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda down the drain to break down organic residue.
- Seal entry points: Weatherstripping is the most important barrier against insects and critters. Make sure to inspect and repair any issues on your door, window screens and strips, caulking, seals, and door sweep, as even the smallest openings can serve as entry points for insects. You can use duct tape for a quick fix, but be sure to find a professional who can properly seal your home for a long-term solution.
- Declutter and keep it fresh: Spiders tend to migrate indoors during rainy or humid weather in search of dry shelter. To discourage them from staying, keep your home clutter-free to reduce potential hiding and web-building spots. Also, try applying diluted citrus or peppermint oil to baseboards and corners as a natural deterrent, as spiders dislike these scents.
- Be smart with your outdoor choices: If you’re getting bitten while trying to enjoy your outdoor space, use citronella candles, mosquito-repelling torches, or even a bug zapper for larger bug problems. Mosquitoes are also repelled by citrus and mint-based scents, and are less attracted to loose, light-color clothing.
- Plant bug-repellant herbs: As the humidity rises and the temperature drops, the late afternoon/early evening creates the perfect bug weather. To enjoy your outdoor time without interruption, consider adding bug repellent herbs to your garden or patio areas–lavender, basil, and marigold are a few that work great.
Be sure to try these quick options to beat the bugs.
- Ants avoid chalk lines. Drawing a line near entry points can disrupt their scent trails and prevent them from crossing.
- Swap your porch light for a yellow bug bulb or soft blue LED. These are less attractive to insects than traditional white lights.
- For added freshness and pest control, consider placing citrus peels in your garbage disposal. These act as natural repellents and leave a pleasant scent.
Your pest-free plan starts with Thumbtack.
No matter where you live, the Thumbtack app makes it easy to keep your home pest-free this season. From ants in the kitchen to wasps on the porch, we take the guesswork out of pest control by offering clear guidance on what to tackle, what it’ll cost, and who can take care of the job.
2025 Methodology: Data is from consumer requests on the Thumbtack platform from August 2024 to July 2025 for pest control services, pest inspection, bed bug extermination, and outdoor pesticide application. Rankings were based on the relative frequency of such requests adjusted for the population of state and metropolitan areas.
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