infestation

Word relationships

• overrun: Overrun is more informal and can apply to non-pest animals or people, whereas infestation is specifically biological.
• invasion: Invasion implies a hostile entry from the outside, while infestation emphasizes the ongoing, multiplying presence within.

• cleansing: Cleansing is the active removal of dirt or pests, restoring a space to a sanitary state.
• sterilization: Sterilization is the complete elimination of all living microorganisms, far exceeding simple pest control.

Commonly confused with

• infection: An infection occurs inside a host organism by pathogens, while an infestation occurs on the exterior of an organism or within a physical space by pests.

Word family

• infest (verb): To overrun or inhabit a place in large, harmful numbers.
• infested (adjective): Overrun by pests.

Collocations

• severe infestation
• active infestation
• termite infestation
• signs of infestation

Example sentences

• "The health department closed the restaurant after discovering a severe cockroach infestation in the kitchen." A real-world health department action.

Memory hook

Think of 'in-fest' as pests having a wild 'festival' inside your walls where they are definitely not invited. Pests having a festival inside your house.

When not to use

Do not use for a single pest sighting or for larger, non-pest animals (e.g., do not say 'an infestation of deer in the yard').

Fun facts

• In legal terms, a severe pest infestation can be grounds for a tenant to break a lease under the 'implied warranty of habitability'.

Related words

exterminate, harborage

Explore more words

invasive, overcrowding, inflict, intrusive, conflagration, epidemic