America's buggiest cities revealed - with one of the sweatiest, least air conditioned metros taking the top spot

America's buggiest city has been revealed as Atlanta, Georgia, for the second year in a row.

The data collected by Thumbstack recorded requests for 'pest control services, pest inspections, bed bug exterminations and outdoor pesticide applications' between August 2023 and July 2024.

Its findings showed that the majority of the 10 buggiest cities are also among the most sweat-inducing metros, with six of the top spots in Texas and Florida.

Here we reveal where in the country you most need your fly swatters and Raid spray... 

Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, is the number one buggiest city for the second year in a row, according to Thumbtack.

This year, requests for all pest-related services were up 1.5 percent.

If that wasn't daunting enough, the city also reached 100-degree temperatures more than once this summer, and its June weather was recorded as the city's hottest ever.

As of 2024, the average cost of pest control in Atlanta is $473, which is above the nation's $450 average.

In addition to its top position as the buggiest metro, it is also one of the least air condition areas of the country and was named the second sweatiest city in America.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC, has a variety of pests that can aggravate residents, but one of its most common problems is bed bugs.

Not only was it ranked amongst the top 10 worst US cities for bed bugs, but it also ranked third in the country for mosquito populations.

The metro area, which ranked tenth on the least air conditioned cities list, is also the third sweatiest city in the country. 

Its service requests increased by 20.6 percent in a year, and depending on the type of treatment required, a homeowner in the nation's capital could spend anywhere between $50 and $5,000 to get rid of their unwanted little critters.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas' weather conditions is one of the main reasons this city is one of the buggiest in the US.

The Texas area's long and tangled weeds also offer attractive living conditions for pesky critters.

The city's pest service requests have increased by 7.7 percent since 2023, and the average cost of pest control in Dallas is $466 for a routine visit, which is higher than the nation's average.

However, some companies like Brooks Pest Control offer packages ranging from $540 to $1,026. 

It also makes sense for Dallas to follow DC on this list, because the Texas city is right behind the nation's capital in terms of its sweaty population. 

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland, may be a beautiful town, but it saw a 26.4 percent increase in pest-related service requests over the last year alone.

This Maryland city, which sixth on the list of sweatiest cities, consists of older and historical structures where bed bugs thrive.

The metro area has an average of nearly 2,000 monthly bed bug searches, according to LaJaunie's Pest Control. 

To deal with the issue, Baltimore's pest control costs are either around $479 per appointment, or between $266 to $719 for monthly treatments.  

Houston

Houston is another Texas city known for its insect population, which includes mosquitoes, ants, bed bugs, and ticks.

With pest service requests up 8.8 percent YoY, Houston's muggy weather and flooding have been contributing factors in its years of being featured on insect population rankings.

The cost of pest control in Houston, which is also ninth on the sweatiest city list, can vary depending on the problem, but it's usually between $30 and $300.

However, organic pest control could potentially cost a Houston resident $100 a month. 

Austin, Texas

Austin has been one of the top growing cities in the US for over 10 years, and growing with it are pest-related service requests, which are up 3 percent from the same time last year.

Cockroaches are common household critters in Texas, with German, brown-banded, and American cockroaches being spotted most frequently in Austin.

Most exterminators in Austin, which is the sweatiest city in America, charge residents anywhere between $150 and $300 per visit.

However, Austin residents could spend anywhere from $45 a month, to $500 a year for continuing treatment.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is the most populated city in North Carolina, and its year-on-year pest service requests increased by 21.9 percent.

This city is also one of the top 50 cities in the US with a high bed bug population, and it's known for having a serious mosquito problem. 

The average cost of pest control in Charlotte is around $427, but monthly prices can be anywhere from $237 to $640.

Residents who may need their homes fumigated should also expect to spend between $2,000 and $8,000.

West Palm Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida, has recorded a 18.5 percent year-over-year increase in pest service requests over the last year.

The metro area, which is eighth on the list of sweatiest cities, normally has beautifully warm weather, which unfortunately also attracts insects. 

Besides mosquitoes and bed bugs, West Palm Beach is home to paper wasps and mud daubers - critters that are attracted to spiders.

Pest control in this Florida city can be pricey, and cost anywhere between $150 and $300 for an exterminator to visit,

However, regular maintenance plans could cost a West Palm Beach resident $500 to $1,000. 

Miami, Florida

Another popular Florida vacation city, Miami, has also seen an increase in pest-related services - with requests rising more than 10 percent.

The average cost of pest control here has also gone through the roof compared to other metro areas.

The average price is $527, which is nearly $100 more than the national average.

The service prices are usually decided based on factors including pest and treatment types, infestation severity, property size and the time of year.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida, may not be the buggiest US city, but its pest-related services requests did increase by 15.6 percent.

It was also ranked among the top 50 worst cities for bed bugs by Orkin earlier this year.

The average cost of a regular exterminator visit is $426, but a one-time visit and treatment can be priced anywhere between $200 and $600.

In most cases, Tampa residents should expect to spend $100 to $500 for ant infestations, and $300 to $700 for wasps.