Pests and Phobias

In today’s blog, we explore what different phobias of pests are called.

 

Acarophobia

Also known as Delusional Parasitosis, Ekbom’s Syndrome, or Parasitic Dermatophobia, this is an overwhelming fear and belief that your body is infested with parasitic insects either on or under their skin.

 

Apiphobia

Also known as Melissophobia, this is the intense fear of bees. Unfortunately, this phobia can often cause trouble for people going outdoors during the spring and summer as that is when different species of bees are very active.

Arachnophobia

The extreme fear of arachnids including spiders, ticks, and scorpions. This phobia is rated as one of the top 10 phobias in the world.

Entomophobia

Sometimes referred to as ‘insectophobia,’ this is the extreme fear and dislike of all insects. Exposure to insects can cause both physical and mental symptoms in people with this phobia.

 

Katsaridaphobia

The intense fear of cockroaches. Entomologist Richard Kaae of California State University believes that Katsaridaphobia is quickly becoming one of the top insect phobias worldwide.

 

Lepidopterphobia

The fear of both butterflies and moths.

Mottephobia

An intense fear of moths specifically (a sub-category of Lepidopterphobia).

Musophobia

The fear of rodents including both mice and rats.

 

Myrmecophobia

The inexplicable and intense fear of ants.

 

Orthopterophobia

The intense fear of crickets and/or locusts.

Parasitophobia

The fear of parasites. This often includes larvae, worms, beetles, ticks, etc.

 

Scikioebdrphobia

A fear of centipedes that is almost disabling.

Spheksophobia

An excessive fear and terror response to wasps/hornets/yellow jackets. Just like with Apiphobia, Spheksophobia can often cause trouble for people going outdoors during the spring and summer as that is when wasps are very active.