Pest of the Month: Celebrate Halloween with the World's Scariest and Deadliest Pests

They’re creepy and they’re crawly; they’re scary and, sometimes, deadly. In honor of the spookiest month of the year, the mad entomologist at Wil-Kil proudly presents the top ten list of scariest and deadliest pests.

While some of these pests call only the rainforests of South America home, others pests, including the most deadly, can be found buzzing around Wisconsin. Either way, the shivers are real and the fear is justified when it comes to these ten horror-movie-worthy bugs.

1. Bullet Ant {Central & South American Rainforests}

With a sting that’s been compared to being shot with a bullet, this inch-long pest packs a powerful punch.

2. Goliath Bird Eating Spider {South America}

Arachnophobia is the world’s top fear and this giant spider proves why. The Goliath Bird Eating Spider uses its 12-inch leg span and paralyzing venom to feed on small mammals and reptiles.

3. Giant Water Bug {Canada, U.S., South America & Asia}

These sneaky bugs are known as “toe bites” as they often surprise swimmers who get too close to them in the water with a painful nip.

4. Cockroach {Worldwide, except the Poles}

Although people may find them gross to encounter, these insects are typically harmless with their only crime being incredibly disgusting to find in the shower.

5. Tarantula Hawk {United States}

This terrifying insect preys on its namesake arachnid with a painful sting. From there, it takes the tarantula back to its burrow, lays eggs on its back and allows the growing larvae to feed on it as they hatch.

6. Periodical Cicada {United States}

Though they only appear every 13 or 17 years, periodical cicadas know how to make an entrance with buzzing swarms that can blanket everything in sight.

7. Brown Recluse Spider {North America}

This spider likes to make its home near humans, and with a bite that contains a necrotoxic venom, it’s not a spider you want to mess with. You’ll know this guy by the dark violin-shaped marking on its abdomen.

8. Bed Bugs {Worldwide, except the Poles}

While bed bugs aren’t known to transmit diseases, they do feed on your blood while you sleep – often leaving bites or rashes on the skin. They’re quick to breed and tough to get rid of, making them a big nightmare.

9. Black Widow Spider {North & South America}

The infamous black widow is native to North America and its bites are potentially lethal if treatment isn’t received immediately.

10. Mosquitos {Worldwide, except the Poles}

The vampire of the insect world, there is not a deadlier insect than the disease-transmitting mosquito. Mosquitos transmit deadly infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and the west nile virus all over the world.

Have you encountered any of these scary pests in your area? Comment below with your horror stories!

Shane McCoy is an Associate Certified Entomologist with 17 years of experience in Pest Management and is the Director of Quality and Technical Training Director for Wil-Kil Pest Control servicing the Upper Midwest. To learn more about Wil-Kil, visit http://www.wil-kil.com/ or contact your local office at 800-236-8735. Follow Wil-Kil on Facebook and Twitter (@WilKilPest).