What are pests? Pests are organisms that cause harm by spreading diseases, damaging property, or becoming a nuisance. Common examples include mosquitoes, rodents, and weeds. While some animals—like wasps, bedbugs, ants, fleas, ticks, and snakes—are disliked for biting or stinging, others invade homes, such as houseflies that contaminate food, beetles that damage wood, and cockroaches often associated with unsanitary conditions. It’s important to note that not all insects are pests; many are beneficial and help control harmful species in the ecosystem.
