Bugs come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the bug phobias for many people. Everyone has their own opinion on what would be considered as the scariest bug. There are so many different types; how do you know which bug is going to scare you the most? Have you encountered the scariest bug in all your days, or how do you know you would even be scared until you come face to face with the bug itself? Bugs are such tiny creatures compared to people; to a bug, we are all giants! People have the immediate ability to stomp on any bug that crosses their path without consequences if they have their shoes on. So why are we so afraid of bugs when we have the ability to relocate them or kill them? Aside from any trauma a person has experienced with bugs, there is a part of our brain that turns on fear, putting a knot in your stomach as you see certain bugs scurry along.

Some of the scariest bugs are spiders, cockroaches, bedbugs, bees, and wasps. Others are earwigs, centipedes, and termites. There are many others; some people consider the scariest bug to be a butterfly! Oddly enough, psychologists have come up with names to diagnose people with extreme fears of scary bugs. Since New Jersey is full of bugs everywhere you look, it is probably a good idea to understand some of these phobias and the bugs behind them. Then you can decide on what the scariest bug is.

Scariest Bug Phobias

Bees

Buzzing bee = stinger. Bees love to buzz, and they love the scent of sticky, sugary food and beverages. These insects also love flowers and sunshine. Since they are most active in the spring, summer, and fall months, chances are you have had many run-ins with bees. Someone with a bee phobia is said to have apiphobia, meaning they have a fear of bees. A person who is so afraid of bees to the point of the fear being a phobia means bees are the scariest bugs to them. Being afraid of bees most likely comes from a bad past experience of being stung by these insects and/or they have had a serious reaction to a sting. Those who have a very sensitive allergy to the venom bees inject into the skin can cause life-threatening reactions. This is a very scary experience that creates this epic fear.

Centipedes and Millipedes

It is very frightening to notice a bug crawling up your wall with what seems like a hundred legs. Even more scary to see a centipede that is looking like an alien dart out from under a box in your basement. Centipedes and millipedes look very similar in the fact that they are long, skinny bugs with lots and lots of legs. Wormlike body with the legs of a millipede being under the body and legs of a centipede that stretches out from all sides of the body. While they don’t cause any harm and can eat a lot of the other insects in the house, many people are so fearful of the unknown that it turns into a phobia. Chilopodophobia is the name for fear of centipedes, and Xarantaphobia is for millipedes, and typically if you’re afraid of one, you’re equally afraid of the other. Two of the scariest bugs with lots of similarities. Which do you think is scarier?

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are in the top 5 for the nastiest bug in New Jersey. They feast on anything that is decaying yet have free rein in your home and some of your favorite restaurants. Cockroaches carry and share some nasty viruses, and with stories of cockroaches being in the food you’re eating or even crawling in your ear in the middle of the night, it’s no wonder so many people have a phobia of them. People with an intense fear of cockroaches fall under the category of Katsaridaphobia. So not only are cockroaches at the top for the nastiest bug but also carry the #1 spot for the scariest bug for people in this group.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are seemingly small, almost invisible bugs, but they leave their mark. Not only do they leave a mark on your body, but that mark turns into a bump, and that bump itches to no end. The itching reaction from a mosquito bite can be so bad that it will require some type of anti-itch medicine to help stop the pain. Mosquitoes are the scariest bug for people, often because of the fear of mosquitoes sucking their blood, the fact they spread West Nile virus, and that you hardly feel or notice they are attacking you till it’s too late. The phobia name for mosquitoes is Anopheliphobia.

Spiders

While not technically bugs (they are arachnids), spiders cannot be left off the list. Spiders carry around a lot of people who are dreadfully afraid of them. Some types of spiders, like the black widow or brown recluse, can cause life-threatening reactions in people if bitten. Other than that, spiders have been the main villain in movies and shows with their creepiness throughout the years. This just intensifies people’s fears and builds up the drama. Almost every scary movie has spiders and spiderwebs in it. Spider webs are not fun to walk through unknowingly, and typically the immediate response is swinging hands knocking off any leftovers, and sheer panic of wondering if a spider is crawling all over you. Arachnophobia is the name of the phobia when the scariest bug for you is spiders.

Is Your Scariest Bug On the List?

There is a long list of phobias that send people into intense distress when it comes to bugs. Any bug can be the scariest bug. A bug that’s considered the most dangerous may seem as innocent as they come, and people may not think it’s scary at all. A butterfly or a ladybug that isn’t the least bit dangerous can send some people into a fit of terror. Some people love spiders and have tarantulas as pets, while some people can’t stand the sight of them. The thing that makes a bug scary depends solely on the person.

When it comes to bugs having free rein in your house, the majority of people would opt for them to be removed. No one wants bugs everywhere and in all their things. Scariest bug or not, when any bug invades your house its time to call someone to help remove them. Some of these household bugs can cause illness from the diseases they spread, and that’s a scary situation. In New Jersey, Kapture Pest Control is the best solution. We understand that bug phobias exist, so we take care of eliminating the scariest bugs you have. At Kapture, we lessen the panic by knowing what to look for and how to target the scary bugs to make sure they stay out of your hair, literally. Contact us today and have complete peace of mind that your scariest bug will no longer be a bother.

More comparison articles:

Help! I Have Roaches and I’m Moving.
How Do Wasps Make Nest?
Do Cockroaches Lay Eggs?
Identifying Silverfish, Earwigs, Bristletails, and Firebrats
Harmless Spiders: Misunderstood Allies

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