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Home Infestations: What Critters Cause the Most Damage and How to Prevent Them

Plus: What Your Home Insurance Might Cover

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By Susan Meyer
Updated February 24, 2026
Reviewed By Beth Swanson
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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
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  1. The most damaging pests
  2. Higher risk homes
  3. Homes insurance and pests
  4. Prevention and proactive steps

Uninvited Guests

You wake up in a cold sweat, listening to the scuttling in the walls. Or worse still, you spot something running across your kitchen floor when you turn on the light. 

Finding an unwelcome guest in your home is never a pleasant experience, but discovering a full-blown infestation can also be a financial nightmare. 

Whether it’s the scratching of rodents in the attic or the silent, but very destructive, damage of termites in the walls, in this article, we’re looking at the infestations that cause the most damage, how to prevent them, and what (if anything) home insurance actually covers.

The Most Damaging Invaders

Generally, the only humans and animals you want in your home are the ones you’ve invited. Anything else is a pest and a potentially financially damaging infestation. 

Pests, including both mammals and insects, cause billions of dollars in damage to U.S. homes each year.  Many animals have even evolved alongside us to be particularly specialized at getting into our homes and using them for food and shelter.[1]

While any pest is a nuisance, these seven cause the most expensive damage to homes:

  • termites
    Termites

    Known as "silent destroyers," they eat through support beams, flooring, and wall studs. They cause $5 billion in damages in the U.S. each year. Damage from termites is not generally covered by home insurance.

  • Beetle_damage
    Beetles

    In homes across the South and especially in Texas, Powder Post Beetles attack hardwood, causing damage to molding, flooring, cabinets, doors and furniture. Active infestations usually occur in new homes that are built with infected wood.

  • ants
    Ants

    Carpenter ants are major structural pests. They don't eat wood, but they do hollow it out to create their homes. Infestations are required to be reported in real estate transactions in most states, potentially affecting the value of your home. Fire ants and indoor ants, meanwhile, won’t affect the structure of your home, but an infestation may decrease your enjoyment of it.

  • mouse
    Mice and Rats

    Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw on everything: electrical wiring, PVC pipes and insulation. They will also damage and contaminate insulation. In addition to their structural damage, they also spread pathogens. It’s estimated that a single mouse leaves behind 3,000 microdroplets of urine a day, each containing a host of bacteria and viruses.

  • Raccoon-in-roof-768x512
    Squirrels and Raccoons

    Squirrels and their larger and more aggressive friend, the raccoon, both can cause substantial damage to your home by chewing up siding and soffits, nesting in your attic, and destroying HVAC ductwork. Like mice and rodents, they also leave behind biohazardous waste.

  • 1-Bee-Honeycomb-Removal (1)
    Bees

    Bees are incredibly important for the environment; however, they can also become pests when they make their way into your home. Within days of entering your home, a bee colony can build a several-pound hive in the walls of your home. The hive will also attract other predators, such as moths and rodents.

  • Cockroaches in kitchen
    Roaches

    Because they don’t eat wood, many think of a roach infestation more for the yuck factor than actual destructive potential. However, a serious roach infestation can cause damage to insulation, paper products (books, wallpaper, etc.) and electrical work. Additionally, their feces, shed skins, and egg casing can contaminate the environment, and certain kinds of roaches are linked to higher rates of asthma.

Which Homes Are Most Susceptible?

No home is truly "pest-proof," but certain factors increase your risk:

  • Older Homes: These often have more gaps, settling cracks and aging wood that is easier for pests to penetrate.
  • Multifamily Dwellings: In apartments or condos, pests like bed bugs and cockroaches can easily travel through shared walls, plumbing and wiring.
  • Wood-Heavy Structures: Homes with wood-to-ground contact (like decks or porches without a concrete base) are prime targets for termites.
  • Moisture-Rich Environments: Homes with poor drainage, leaky gutters or humid basements attract wood-boring insects and cockroaches.
  • Homes with Damaged Siding: If you have holes in your house, especially into your attic, you’re offering an open invitation to nesting critters.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Home insurance can be a great source of peace of mind, but it’s important to understand what’s covered and what’s not when it comes to infestations. So what’s covered? The short answer for most homeowners is: not much. 

Standard home insurance policies are designed to cover sudden and accidental events, such as fires, lightning strikes, or windstorms. Because infestations are typically viewed as a "maintenance issue" that develops over time, insurance companies generally consider them preventable through routine care.

  • Excluded: Extermination costs, removal of nests and repairs to damage caused directly by the pests (like chewed drywall or ruined insulation).
  • The "Hidden Collapse" Exception: Some policies offer coverage if an infestation remains entirely hidden and eventually causes a structural collapse of the home. However, you must prove you had no prior knowledge of the activity.
  • The "Covered Peril" Loophole: While the infestation itself isn't covered, the secondary damage it causes might be. For example:
    • If a rat chews through a wire and causes a fire, the fire damage is usually covered. (Note: Rodents are thought to be behind 20 - 25% of house fires with undetermined origins.)[2
    • If a rodent chews a pipe and causes a sudden flood, the water damage may be covered.

What About Car Insurance?

While infestations in vehicles aren't quite as common, unless you leave your car parked for a long time, squirrels and mice can still do some serious damage to the interior or electrical wiring of your car.

The good news is, unlike with home insurance, as long as you have comprehensive coverage, most damage from animals should be covered. 

What You Can Do to Protect Your Home

Since insurance rarely pays for infestations, prevention is your best financial defense.

1. Seal the Perimeter

Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime. Use steel wool and caulk to seal gaps around pipes, vents and utility entries. Ensure window screens are intact and install door sweeps. Repair any holes that are chewed immediately. 

2. Manage Moisture

Keep gutters clean and ensure downspouts direct water at least five feet away from the foundation. Fix leaky faucets or pipes immediately, as moisture is the primary draw for termites and roaches.

3. Clear the Yard

Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep it off the ground. Trim tree branches so they don't touch the roof, as these act as "highways" for squirrels and raccoons.

4. Exterminate Thoughtfully

It’s usually best to go with professionals for larger infestations. Ask questions about the poisons being used and how they will affect other occupants of the home. Humane traps are sometimes an option for moving and relocating rodents. The last thing you want is something dying in your attic or inside your walls. 

5. Document Everything

If you find damage, take photos and videos immediately. Contact a professional exterminator to identify the species and the extent of the damage. Even if you don't think it's covered, keep these records in case the infestation leads to a covered peril (like a fire) later.

Wrapping Up

For many homeowners, your home is your sanctuary from the world...and also your most valuable asset. Don't let it lose its value and become a less safe and hygienic place to live.

Home insurance often won't help you in cases of infestations. That's why home maintenance and keeping a watchful eye out for small problems before they become big ones is key. 

Sources

  1. Insects in the city. [TAMU]

  2. The Dangers of Having Mice & Rats in Your Home. [Plunkett's Pest Control]