Household pests can make floors collapse, spread disease, and destroy furnishings.
In the UK, household pests cause millions of pounds of damage each year, with pest control a £100 million industry. Infestations of some sort are common in homes. It is estimated that 25% of homes in the UK have dry rot or wet rot, and that half have woodworm; a further 67 pests are common. These figures are expected to increase with the effects of global warming.