The fear of bugs or fear of insects is known as Entomophobia or Acarophobia and is sometimes also referred to as Insectophobia. The word Entomophobia comes from Greek entomos meaning insects and phobos which means deep dread or fear. Acarophobia is derived from Latin Acaro which means ‘mites’.
Fear of insects mainly includes a disgust response or aversion to bugs. Insects and bugs often appear “ugly or disgusting” owing to their shape or colors. Bugs like flies, mosquitoes and fleas are also associated with the spread of diseases and infections.
In some cases, Acarophobia can severely consume a person’s life in that; one is so afraid of insects that s/he refuses to leave the house to avoid encountering bugs. In some patients, the condition results in Delusory Parasitosis, a mental illness where the patient feels constant ‘prickling, tingling, creeping, crawling or burrowing sensations akin to insects present on the skin. In severe cases of Entomophobia, people have been known to self-mutilate or scratch intensely, leading to severe skin infections. Some display obsessive compulsive disorder where they may clean constantly to repel bugs.
Causes of fear of insects phobia
Several different factors are linked with Entomophobia or Acarophobia; these may be categorized as environmental, psychological, medical or drug related.
- Environmental– Static electricity, presence of mold, pollen, household allergens and formaldehyde impregnated products can all manifest as unexplained dermatitis or skin irritations. These lead the sufferer to believe that an insect or bug is crawling on the skin.
- Medical conditions and trauma– Mental retardation, hyperthyroidism, thiamine or folate deficiencies, syphilis, meningitis, cirrhosis, fluoride poisoning, anxiety disorders, adrenal insufficiency etc are often linked to the fear of bugs phobia. Psychological Factors- Divorce, loss of a loved one or pet, loss of employment, witnessing a traumatic or tragic incident at a specific time, monetary concerns, multi-tasking in professional and personal lives, etc are stressors that are linked to Entomophobia.
- Social Isolation– Often, individuals diagnosed with fear of insects phobia are known to live alone. As a result, their health becomes a fixation: it allows them to interact with doctors. Due to this, they start obsessing over dermatitis or other skin irritations. This leads to constantly think about bugs or insects. These thoughts become habitual and turn into a phobia.
- Depression– This is a major factor that may trigger Acarophobia. Depressed individuals often tend to have lack of interest in life; they also suffer from a low self esteem, have feelings of guilt or worthlessness. Schizophrenia is another proven cause of Entomophobia.
- Age– Sufferers of Acarophobia can belong to any age group though it is more common in females in the older age groups. Conversely, more men suffer from it in younger age groups than women.
Symptoms of Entomophobia
Patients with severe Acarophobia may display following signs and symptoms:
- Complaining constantly about being bitten by bugs
- Excessive cleaning
- Different degrees of self mutilation
- Social isolation
- Frequent visits to doctors
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Constantly searching on the Internet to self-validate their beliefs about insects.
- Physical symptoms like nausea, shaking, trembling, headaches, crying, screaming at the sight of bugs. Going to great lengths to avoid bugs and insects.
Sufferers may continue to experience these symptoms for years not realizing that the longer they suffer, the harder their Entomophobia is to resolve.
Overcoming and treating the fear of Insects phobia
Entomophobia is a poorly documented and under-reported mental disorder. It often falls outside of most scientific categories and other phobias. Many phobics are known to visit numerous different doctors and specialists, often without any resolution of their condition. Hence, it becomes necessary to involve a multi-disciplinary approach to diagnose and treat Acarophobia.
A combination of therapies including drug therapy, desensitization, psychotherapy etc is proven beneficial in treating the fear of bugs phobia. An entomologist may also be needed to help the patient dispel misconceptions that may be aggravating one’s Entomophobia.
daneir smith says
This is very helpful, thank you.
Abbey says
Crazy but when I had my daughter I became extremely terrified of bugs. Fast forward to having my son and now it’s not bugs, it’s anything aside from a bug or cat/dog that crawls. I can’t even hold my sisters bearded dragon. To me, these are definitely hormonal changes, but at least I’m not alone. The most timid animal ever I’m terrified of is a dang beardie. Life is strange.
Maryam says
I am also very afraid of insects, especially if they fly. I even think that they walk on my body, and this is often an illusion. Many people do not believe them and think that I am trying to attract attention, and this bothers me a lot. There is really no one to sympathize with me because this is not something that happens to everyone. And I am very upset. The more pressure we put on studying, the more intense these feelings become. I will probably go to a psychoanalyst after the exam for university.
Rebecca says
I feel the same way. I was just freaking out because I heard a bug flying in the room I was in. I’m in my sisters room at the moment as my room had an earwig in it (a flying pincher bug). Everyone is sleeping and I tried calling them and messaging them and everything. I recently had a panic attack for two full hours and was brought to the emergency room over a bug because my mother refused to let me sleep in her room. I don’t know why I’m this afraid all of a sudden or maybe I was always afraid but there are so many bugs in my house and I can’t handle it. Plus I have bad eye sight. I can only see colors, so when I see a flying bug all I can see is a blob so that scares me even more because I have no idea what kind of bug I’m trapped with. It could be a wasp for all I know.
Labaachi says
Hi. I don’t know if I have entomophobia, but there are some things that lead me to believe that I might have a minor form of it. Every time I have sensations of tingling, itching, or some sense of hair movement anywhere on my body, my mind immediately goes to ants or something of the like. I’m very scared of bugs like June bugs, ants, caterpillars, millipedes, centipedes, jumping spiders (arachnid), grasshoppers, crickets, and just anything that is creepy crawly on my skin or that jumps/moves without warning. I’ll note that I also have major depression and general anxiety disorder, both of which are unrelated and are being treated via medication. Even though I’m scared of those kinds of bugs, I’m not scared of mosquitos, gnats, flies, butterflies, or even stinging bugs like bees, wasps, hornets, and the like (or at least not abnormally scared of them). Can someone help me out? Am I one of these people or not? I don’t get nauseous or anything like that from seeing bugs, I just tend to get very scared when they’re around me. I close all access to any holes in my body (mouth, stuff down there) and I usually don’t try to mess with them and I’ll get my dad or I’ll get them with something to where I won’t have to touch it.
Anna Federici says
I feel exactly the same! I am not scared of some insects, but when I am, I tend to close every part of my body where they could easily enter it (mouth, nose, etc).
Me says
So when i was younger, like 4/5, bugs used to be fine with me, i actually played with them at points. I don’t know when it started but now for most of my life i’ve become horrified about anything relating to bugs. I cant see pictures or videos of bugs, i cant hear bugs, i cant even think of bugs without becoming tight chested and filled with the sensation of puking, shaking and crying. I know bugs won’t do anything to me which is the worst part. I cant even see a butterfly without swatting my hands and bashing all over the place in hopes to get it away from me. All types of bugs make me feel horrible and i don’t know what i can do to fix it. Thinking and talking about it makes me want to puke and cry, it makes me feel as if they were crawling all over me. My parents think it’s pretty childish of me to do all of this but i can’t help it, my friends tease me over it and it makes me feel worse about it because i feel like i can’t help it. One time i remember my dad joking around about a bug being near me on the couch and i immediately started crying and trying to swag off whatever was on me or near me and he stopped laughing and told me to grow up because my response to that was completely childish and uncalled for. Now i try to watch what i do but it’s hard. I find it easier to run from the bug than to kill it because i don’t want to imagine the crunch sound they make when you kill it. I saw a huge cockroach today and it was pretty big, around 1 1/2 inches. Needless to say, i cant sleep and i threw up in my bathroom because i had let it get away due to being fearful and not being able to kill it. I’m horrified and i don’t know what to do overall.
Maryam says
I understand you because I’m like you. You know many people think I am lying and I just want attention.
Marri says
I swear I’d rather run from bugs than kill them. I’m literally just like you. I can’t kill a bug because it requires me to get close to them, and I just can’t do it. I just saw a roach in my college dorms while I was on my way to the bathroom, and I ran so fast away from it. I’ve never seen a bug that big before. I cried for 30 minutes straight because I was too scared to go back to my room. It was 2 in the morning, and I was out in the hallway crying. It’s currently 3 am as I am writing this. I am thinking about moving back home. Just the other day, I saw a spider in my room since my roommate loves keeping the window open all day. I cried, and I looked away for not even 5 seconds, and it disappeared. We searched the entire room, and we never found it. I’m terrified of sleeping in this room and of going to the bathroom and leaving this room. I can’t look at pictures or even emojis of bugs. I’m scared of seafood because they look like giant bugs. It’s so bad.
Essie says
I went on a camping trip about three months ago, right next to the beach. There were lots of holes on the beach, and I mean a lot. Bugs were jumping in and out of them and my nine year old sister was screaming and having a meltdown over the bugs, trying to get away from them, so I told her to climb on me and I would walk her over the holes while she was on my back. Being 12 and really skinny, she was slipping down my back slowly, and she started screaming and kicking and crying which made her slip down my back more and I was really aching, and trying to get to where there were no holes, and I felt as if I was going to faint (omg leah), but I managed to get her to where there were no holes and put her down.
Another time was last night. My family and I were sitting around the table eating dinner when a daddy-long-legs flew in through the window. Everyone knows those critters are completely harmless, but when it flew underneath my sister’s chair, she stood up and started crying to get it away! I went to grab the thing and I got it’s leg, but the leg just came off and that made my sister cry even more. I’m not sure if she has the phobia, because we go on a lot of nature walks and she loves the grasshoppers and butterflies, but most bugs she has meltdowns over.
Got any suggestions? Thanks fam!
Skye says
I’m a teenager and tell everyone I have insect phobia because it’s easier, even though I have never been diagnosed. Whenever I’m around any kind of bug I freak out. I couldn’t go to the bathroom last night because a fly was in the hallway. I can’t even handle it if a butterfly flies near me. The worst part is I know they can’t hurt me and I’m fully aware it’s irrational but I can’t be around them. If I even think one is near or think I see one I flip out and start batting around and look like a fool. I once fell over on the pavement at a bus stop because a wasp flew near me. I can’t handle invertebrates either and just looking at an insect prompts a physical reaction. My parents are accepting but think it’s silly. My friends don’t understand either and they tease me and throw dead bugs at me and laugh when I freak out. I am also afraid of spiders and have no idea what to do. I’m pretty sure I have Entomophobia but I’m not sure it’s worth going to a doctor for.
Zahran says
I freak out when there is a bug anywhere near me, no matter size or the ability to fly (even ants) to the point where I will run away and get my brother to kill it, or try to hide. Every ant I encounter I kill. Knowing that an insect has the ability to fly is probably the most scary part. I like to keep spiders alive to deal with them. Also I’m 13 and have always hated bugs. This has gotten to the point that I can’t go within a few feet of an insect larger than your average fly. This definitely isn’t the most extreme reaction to insects, but my family still thinks it’s unreasonable. At the time of me typing this, I’m hiding under my blanket, not being able to go to the bathroom, because there is a cockroach inside.
Maryam says
Oh dear, I completely understand you
Winnie says
I am currently hiding in my room because there is a fly in the kitchen and my husband is being so relaxed about killing it. He does this a lot and tells me I am being irrational for being terrified of bugs. I cannot help it. I get so terrified that it literally paralyses me. He makes me feel silly about my phobia and even laughs sometimes.
Felix says
If your friends throw bugs at you and make fun of you, they are not real or good friends. I am a big bug lover, and I have never even killed a fly in my life, even when it lands on the food or buzzes me. Look up the cutest bugs in the world; maybe that will remind you that not all bugs will kill you.
Person says
I think I have it, but not an extreme form. I’m 13 and it started with ants last year. Every time I would see an ant inside my house, I would feel them all over me. If they were outside then I have very little problem with them, but inside.. we live in a very old house, and it has cracks everywhere so winter and summer are often really bad. We have a dog who goes outside a lot and 2 indoor cats who still find a way to bugs. We don’t have AC, but we do have a swamp cooler. The only way it helps, though, is if you open a window so it can push air out and bring cold air in. The problem is, the only window that works in my room is right next to my bed. So as I got ready for bed, I left it open. I have a screen so I didn’t have the fear that bugs would enter, but I should have. I made my bed before going to sleep, but when I reset the comforter, I found 3 earwigs and 1 spider on it. I was sick as well and ended up sitting there itching and being paralyzed until one in the morning. When I finally got up I knew I couldn’t sleep on my bed, so I went to my lovesac bean bag with a blanket and got situated. I ended up finding another small beetle-like thing on it and so I went to our guest room and slept there. I usually don’t have a big issue, but I think it might be getting worse. Advice?
A Human says
I’m so happy to have found this site / comment section, knowing that my symptoms and experiences are being shared by others as well is extremely comforting. I’m 14 years old and for as long as I can remember I’ve been deathly afraid of bugs, which is unfortunate because I live in a climate where they are an extremely common occurrence. The worst for me are maggots, worms, earwigs, flies, and roaches. Not too long ago I had an encounter with a swarm of earwigs crawling around in the bathroom and scarily close to my bedroom door, normally I would attempt to spray them with a can of Febreeze or whatever was near me at the time, but I couldn’t find anything. This was late at night, and my parents were asleep. Usually I’ll let them know that there are bugs, and since they’re extremely understanding of my phobia, they’ll kill them for me. But because I didn’t want to wake them up, I ended up clinging to my bed and proceeded to have a panic attack, which was made worse because I was having delusions at the same time that felt as if bugs were crawling all over me and inside my eyes. Like how all of my other experiences with bugs go, I did not sleep that night. My parents have mentioned therapy to me before, but I’ve always been skeptical if that kind of stuff really works. Should I give it a try? I can’t stand having this phobia, it’s already starting to affect my mannerisms and daily routine. I’m afraid it might get to the point where I can’t go outside without freaking out about the possibility of a bug infestation.
Ella says
I don’t really know if I have this phobia. But I think everything started last year. My parents were abroad and my brother wasn’t at home. I was just chilling in my room when I realized there was this bug. It wasn’t big and not a fast walker. I didn’t want to kill it so I grabbed something like a glass and try to get the bug in it by putting the glass upside down. Then I went to grab some paper so I can put the bug out but when I enter through my room I realized that I smashed it with the glass. There, I couldn’t breathe and take my eyes off. I suddenly started crying like a crazy person and it continued like that for an hour. Than I realized what I was doing but still couldn’t get the dead bug and waited for my brother.
Something like this hadn’t happened before in my life. I was so casual with killing and touching them. I don’t know why, but since then I always call for someone and start crying when I see them dead. I couldn’t touch/kill a single bug… what should I do…?
Felix says
It shows that your heart has grown, and you understand that you have taken a life when you kill them. I love bugs and would never kill them, not even a fly buzzing me and landing on the food.
Old Nana says
I am more afraid not to kill a bug than to run away from it, much as I want to. I worked at closing every opening into the apartment where bugs could enter. I caulked and sealed any space where pipes enter under sinks, etc. I put new weather stripping all around the door. I glued netting into bathroom vents. I never open a window without ensuring there are no tears or openings in the screen. Once a week I wait until the neighbors are likely to be asleep so I won’t bother them with fumes and then spray in front of my door, down the steps, and around the exterior. Any leftover foodstuffs, such as bones, that can’t be put in the garbage disposal are sprayed with a bleach solution and sealed in plastic baggies before being put in the trash. Any prepared food containers, including cans, are washed before being put in the trash. All plastics saved for recycling are rinsed well before being put in containers. My trash is probably cleaner than many kitchens. Yes, it’s excessive, but I don’t see bugs inside any more, and I sleep at night. All bugs and I have an understanding. If they stay away from me and my home, they get to live.
Unknown says
I’m 15 and I’ve had this fear ever since I could remember, when I was little I used to have dreams of bugs being all over me and I would scream and tell my parents there are bugs all over me. 10 minutes after I woke up. I felt them on me every time. Anyone mentions it I feel like they’re around me and shiver. I found crickets twice in my room and screamed and ran across the house after and my dad would come close to me with them after and I would start crying. He would tell me to grow up but I can’t I hate them. I can’t even get close to them. All the bugs in my room, I’d tell my brother to kill them and when he wouldn’t I would sleep outside my room not knowing what to do. One time a cricket was in my room, I didn’t know where, and I couldn’t sleep all night at all. And now we found a bunch of earwigs in our house and I can’t sleep. Already had nightmares and accidentally stepped on two which traumatized me! I can’t stop itching my feet like that did something. I can’t sleep at all! I started spraying my room with febreze and diluted detergent! I can’t stand even the tiniest thing. I can’t kill em unless I spray em and if not no contact whatsoever, not with a shoe, a tissue, nothing. My parents tell me to grow up and no one knows I’m afraid of them to this extent. I’m also super afraid of stepping on them, especially big ones, imagining that they’d make a big crunching sound. I’ve had dreams of that. I barely ever have nightmares but when I do it’s about bugs. I will start crying if one comes near me. I used to be able to handle Rollie Pollies or Lady Bugs but now I can’t stand anything at all! If it’s dark I would imagine that things like fabric or string from fabric was a bug. I hate this and I know I’ll have problems in my future. Plus my parents are foreign so they will most definitely not understand!
kenny says
I can’t tell if I actually have this or not, but I know I’m terrified of bugs.
I am pretty sure this fear started when I was about 5 years old. I was at my neighbors house playing with their kids in their backyard. The mom supplied us with one cookie each and all of us were excited. When I was about to take a bite of mine a small bug flew into my eye. It took me hours to cry it out and when it finally came out of my eyes it was still alive. It terrified me that that little bug had been crawling around in my eye for hours. Now, if I spy a bug on the ceiling I yell for someone to come kill it and bolt out of the room or don’t move. I get goosebumps and high anxiety. I feel like I’m going to throw up. What should I do?
Tasha says
Well, I also believe I have this because I hate going outside where I know there will be bugs and I can’t even look at grasshoppers. What I think you should do is buy lots of bug spray, and don’t go outside and camping as much as you might. I just think it would help a little bit, but don’t take my word for it.
Melissa says
I am in my 50’s and have always had a fear of bugs. I travel for a living and stay in lots of hotels – when I check in it takes me at least an hour or 2 before I bring my suitcase into the room because I search the room for bugs – but it also takes at least an hour before I go into the room.
Once I get myself and my stuff in the room I continue to search the room until I feel a little at ease – then it will take forever for me to even attempt to sit down. When I finally do get settled in and can at least sit on the bed or chair my eyes are constantly looking for anything that may move.
Sleeping.. thats a whole other ball game. I really don’t sleep because if my clothing or the sheets brushes against my skin I jump up and search the room again.
It is really rough because I work 12-14hr days and I’m exhausted but fear of any kind of bug just sends me into an internal panic.
After every trip my suitcase sits outside at home for 24hrs then I empty it outside. All items in suitcase are in space bags then I spray the inside of the case with ant, roach, and bedbug sprays, close it up and let it sit outside for a few more hours.
I don’t travel with pets and I am not bringing any home with me.
Am I going overboard and being paranoid or is this justifiable measures?
Alyssa says
I literally just drove over to a friends house because something freaking huge, maybe a roach, was on my wall. I called my best friend mid panic attack and was like “what do I do help me, talk me through this.” Any bug, I freak out. I will literally cry and hyperventilate. It took me 5 min to just walk in my room and grab some clothes as I just got off work. I get them in my room bc I live in a detached garage – specifically the room above. It’s not insulated well, and the bugs terrify me. House was built in the 60’s or something. I’m not sure when this fear started, but I can’t get past it. My mom tells me I just need to get over it, but I literally can’t. I will full on have a panic attack. It’s been 20 minutes and I’m still itchy, still shaking. I don’t know how to cope. Any advice?? I’m almost 20. I am so tired of being petrified.
Vivian says says
I don’t know when my fear of bugs, insects or anything related to them actually started. Just like how I don’t know why I’m afraid of dogs I don’t understand why I’m afraid of bugs. I actually thought it was just me that was super SUPER SUPER afraid of bugs . My friends and family are all like you can just kill it, it’ll be fine, they can’t hurt you and thing like that. There was once when I was taking a shower and I noticed a cockroach and that caused me to scream at the top of my lungs and jump right onto the toilet. After that I wouldn’t get off the bed and was constantly checking for more bugs. And now recently I noticed my room has a lot of bugs at night. Like I can’t even sleep because I’m worried that the bugs will do something to me. Which is kind of stupid to other people but I can’t help it. I’m constantly checking and paranoid that the bug is in my blankets or that it’s on me. I’m only 13 right now and my mom always says that the bugs won’t hurt me. I’m kinda glad that there are other people like me since everybody else around me seems to be perfectly fine with killing bugs. If someone reads this comment, would you recommend me to go to a doctor or not??
snowyfriend2 says
Yeah, you should go to someone to get diagnosed. That sounds exactly like Entomophobia to me, at least. The earlier you get help, the better. Make sure your parents understand that it’s something you can’t control, that you can’t just get over it in a minute. It’ll take some time depending on how serious it is, but as long as you keep putting in effort, the result will seriously be a relief. You’re not alone, I have Entomophobia.
Katrina says
So I am severely afraid of bugs. And I’m 13 so my parents always get mad because I don’t leave the house because I’m so afraid of any insect or bug. And the reason why is the when I was at a dance camp . We went swimming and after when we were walking back there was a butterfly on me . So I was already afraid of bugs at the time and no one helped me. I was so scared it wouldn’t get off me and people were laughing and I felt like I was going to die. And I know butterflies are pretty and some insects and bugs are too. But I can’t handle bugs I cry and scream it’s the worst for me
snowyfriend2 says
You should tell your parents about the severity and not let them shake it off. Getting help from a professional could also help, especially since it seems you know how it started. Don’t worry, I have Entomophobia too, you’re not alone.
Notchmods says
I used to stay in Malaysia and there’s loads of roaches. I always live in constant fear of bugs with my family. Eventually I convinced my parents to move to Canada and eventually we moved to Greenland. Just memory makes me cringe when I think about a lane of roaches in my Kitchen.
Nicolette says
You guys are like my people. :) I’m uneasy with many bugs tho I’ve found wooly aphids kind of cute and butterflies are not a problem to me, tho I don’t want even them to be on me. I have a sense of near religious awe of insects like mantises and hummingbird moths, tho.. it’s fine to see one in the wild I sure wouldn’t want one in my house. I’ve seen lady bugs and crickets invade spaces before and be no longer “cute.”
But the worst for me.. even a photo or even an illustration of a tick makes me anxious and uneasy.. I’ve lived and worked in places that were infested with them in the Northeast where they often do carry Lyme disease.. I’ve had other traumatic insect experiences: nasty bites from spiders, fire ants, as well as stings from hornets and aggressive wasps. I’ve encountered small scorpions. I dislike roaches in the extreme and thankfully live now in a climate where they aren’t so prevalent. But it’s ticks.. they wig me out totally and I clean and organize like crazy so I can see them coming. They make me want to run screaming in the night tho except.. that there might be ticks out there too. People are always reassuring me like: “oh it’s a big tick, don’t worry they don’t carry Lyme!” Thing is, the larger ones can carry rocky mountain spotted fever which, while rare, is usually extremely catastrophic – if you aren’t diagnosed in 5 days time you will likely have to have some or all your limbs amputated, if you live through the ordeal. Screw that.. I’m afraid of all. The. ticks. I hate them, they serve no real benefit to anything except the virus’s they carry around and they’re evil.
Lyra says
Ugh.. Because of this fear, I hadn’t hit even one mosquito ever since..
And it even annoyed my family, always screaming when a tiny insect reaches my eyes, but what can I do?
Aniyah says
I can’t stand them. At the very sight of them I either scream or I just stand there shaking and crying. Just a few minutes ago I was using the bathroom and lo and behold a roach shows up, a big one too. I felt my heart drop, I started shaking and got on the toilet, I tried spraying it and It wouldn’t die. So I stood there for thirty minutes crying on the toilet because it was sitting by the door. I looked away for one second and then it was gone just like that. That was worse considering my family. But my reason for being so fearful is my experience.. S… I used to live in an infested apartment, roaches everywhere, the very big kind, big ants, everything was just awful, you couldn’t even use the bathroom with using one. There’d be nights my mom would be screaming in the other room because shed find them running in Her BED. I also had a surreal dream… Nightmare more to speak, everything about it felt real and I woke up surrounded by blackness which didn’t help. Ever since then at the site of any bug, especially roaches, I get anxiety attacks and freeze
Von says
Finally, a name for what’s been bothering me!
I wasn’t afraid of bugs as a kid. I didn’t mind them, until I was in my teens. Now, at 31, I’m terrified of them and I’d burn my apartment down before I’d ever touch one.
If I see a bug, I have a panic attack or just cry because I’m too afraid to kill it/of touching it (even if there’s an obvious barrier, like a shoe or something). When I see them, I can feel them in my skin and either have to shower or scratch to holy hell before I can ‘get rid of’ them… And, if one ever lands on me, the neighbours will probably call the cops because it will sound like someone is being murdered.
I haven’t scratched enough to cause serious infection or injury yet, though my skin is often raw and sore after I’m done. I have both anxiety and OCD, so I’m beginning to suspect that the 3 are related.
Emmy says
This sounds like me, any time my hair moves, I jump. Spiders and I have an agreement.. don’t come near me, and you don’t die or see me run off. At night I feel like bugs are inside my skin, due to a house I lived in once had a flea infestation, now moved. It’s made me think they are in my skin. If anyone knows this name, please tell me, I’m tired of itching and nothing is there.
Zachary Franklin says
I HATE BUGS !!!
Thailand Realtor says
I just had a whip scorpion appear in my house!
Jaime says
Did that scare You?
michaud says
My fear of bugs started at a young age. I was in day camp and my fear wasn’t that bad then but then people my age kept putting live bugs in my hair and then as time passed my fear got worse. I cant even weed the flower garden. When a wasp comes near me i panic and then i run inside. When i cut the grass i go to put the lawn mower in the shed and if i see bees or bugs near it ill just go inside and wont close the door. When i did that my parents told me to get over it and thought it would be a good way to get over it to close the door. I started crying and the basement bees came in the house and dad told me to kill it and pick it up but i couldn’t. I got really upset to the point of crying. Also the other day a wasp came in the house and i was all by myself. Instead of killing it i ran to my room and closed the door, didn’t come out of my room. I was terrified and i phoned my parents. They told me to kill it but instead of killing the wasp i just opened the door and ran. As soon as i noticed the bee was gone i closed the door. I cant get over my fear, i’m scared. Also, it doesn’t help if you have a learning disability. Basically i shut myself in the house and when i do go outside i get scared like i don’t want to cut the grass or weed the garden because i jump at the sight of them. My dads fed up, he says that if he hears the word bees or wasps then i’m living on my own. He says i gotta get over my phobia and that i shouldn’t be scared of bugs.
Averyy says
Same, whenever I see a bee, or a wasp. I get so scared. And even when a fly buzzes past me I jump. And when there’re fruit fly’s in my room I try to smack them, but I’m too scared to. And before there was a bug (idk what kind) in my room at night time. And I was so scared I slept in my moms room…
Connor Creighton says
I can relate to this so much, My father just says “Oh get over it” but even just seeing a cockroach in a photo makes me anxious, and seeing one in real life i nearly pass out. I can’t even get myself to go into my garage because cockroaches are everywhere.
Scaredgirl says
I’m in the exact same situation. Recently, there have been these enormous crane flies in my room every night and last night I slept with my grandmother because I couldn’t sleep in my room. When I was younger, I watched fear factor a LOT and I think that contributed to my fear. My parents don’t really understand or feel my pain so they keep telling me that I need to “Get over my fear” but I just can’t…
Joe chan says
My house is always so clean and tidy because my mom likes it that way, but sometimes, I dunno why, roaches and spiders just runs out of NOWHERE and totally freaks me out because my mom doesn’t like bugs too much, each time there’s one she either calls the maid to finish it or ME, I just can’t bear it! I can’t stand insects (some of them) the star is the ROACH. One night my family was sleeping, and I was out in the living room watching a movie, after I finished it, I went to the kitchen and saw a freaking roach or something, and I totally had a heart attack, I’m just 12 yrs old dudes, and my mom won’t listen to me, what should I do?
Lara says
Hi I have this too… I just had a mini panic attack with some stink bugs. They are hundreds of box elders covering our house and many stink bugs on my porch. I never like to go outside as there are so many bugs in my large tree filled property. My parents, especially my dad don’t really understand and point out that they can’t hurt me. I realize now that this is an actual thing. I can not help but reading these stories of other people like me has made me feel slightly better so I hope this can comfort you.
Lonnie says
mate, I was standing outside of school once. My city was having a storm so the streets were flooded, roaches started to crawl out of sewers because of that. I was waiting at the bus stop when I noticed something crawling inside my jacket, I didn’t freaked out (just yet) because I was curious for what it is, and you guessed it is roaches. I swear to everything holy I will commit suicide if that ever happens to me again
Jenna Loves Pandas says
I don’t know why, but bugs scare me to death. The causes on these, I’m nothing like them. I hate bugs, even butterflies. They petrify me. I scream when a ladybug is on my arm, and panic when a beetle is crawling near me. ESPECIALLY ants. They are TERRIFYING!
Tanya Grande says
Same
Yasmine says
My experience is with bedbugs. Last summer I had depression because of it. I hadn’t been able to live my life. No matter how many times I clean the bed, it always comes up and bite me, despite the physical pain, it affected my mental health so bad. I am always afraid. I feel disgust, i hate how they look, it makes me sick and want to throw up. It scares the hell out of me as well. I was badly obsessed by it. I always feel like it’s around me. So i left my bed and started sleeping on the couch. I hated sleeping at night because of it, no sleep in the dark. Sleeping on the couch affected my back and my whole body and bones started to hurt me. I couldn’t sleep at all and had an insomnia. The winter came, it disappeared. I was slowly getting healed but now, the summer is about to come again and i started to panic again. I can’t live with bedbugs anymore, and i don’t know what to do if it came up again.
naila says
I really hate bugs, i panic whenever i see them. I start crying, screaming and shaking. Once i almost passed out and almost had a car crash because of a bee. I tried so many times to overcome this fear but i just couldn’t and i don’t think that i will ever. To me i find them so disgusting and ugly, even butterflies, i get scared of them too.
Averyy says
SAME, even when a butterfly fly’s past me I get scared sometimes.
Ashley says
This is me! I ran out of my college classroom during a lecture because a wasp was buzzing around… I couldn’t keep my eyes off it, then I got my friend’s attention, so she asked the professor to kill it. When it landed, I ran out of the classroom as fast as possible… When he killed it, I returned (he killed it on a table far away from mine, or else I wouldn’t have returned – too afraid of that stinger).
Other embarrassing events have happened to me, all because of my fear of bugs…
Eve says
When i was in kindergarten my grandpa kicked my mom and us out of his home. I dont remember why but grandpa never got along well with one of my brothers so i assume that was atleast part of his reasoning. Anyway my mother was not mentally well and our new home ended up infested with roaches and i remember waking up to droves and droves crawling all over me. Also about a year ago i moved in with my now husband and his elderly mother and had my first encounter with bed bugs. My hubby tried bug spray which worked for a few months and then we needed to bomb so we did. We went ahead and bombed for everything and my hubby and his friend did the clean up since im a bug phobic. Now my mother in law was a hoarder at that time and would freat out if anything got thrown out that she wanted to keep. So all the bed bugs hid in her pile of obsessions and after the fumes were gone from the bombs they came back out with full force of hell. So we ended up moving and alot of stuff was thrown out because only two people can do so much moving of boxes and furniture in one night. We had seven hours to get our shit and get out so we tried our hardest to get everything but we hit our limit and crashed from exhaustion. Anyway at our new home we didnt see any roaches or bed bugs. We were careful! About six months in our neighbors moved in and then we started seeing roaches. So we sprayed bug spray and put down chemical and nonchemical barriers. We were all good and then our neighbors began spraying for fleas and bed bugs. Our bug barrier was for roaches not fleas and bed bugs so we got fleas and bed bugs. Well the fleas were easy to exterminate with natural oil lotions for the pets and general cleaning. Now my hubby and i at that time were seeking employment beyond temp work and his mother was the only person with reliable income. Well when she would get paid she’d buy a single can of bed bug spray and use it on her bed but only when she started seeing the bed bugs. She was in need of updated glasses so what we could see she could not and all the itchy red bumps she had on her skin and our skin she said were flea bites. Again normal old lady who refuses to acknowledge anything beyond herself. Anyway it got so bad my hubby and i were drenching our bed in 90% rubbing alcohol to kill the bugs every night so we could sleep. Eventually we got kicked out of there because our neighbors blamed the bug problem on us and tried to say we needed to pay for their moving cost. So we ended up getting kicked out because we can only pay for our living expenses and not an entire other family’s cost too. Again we had a few hours to get out so we put what we could in storage and stayed in a hotel until we got into another house. We moved into another house and low and behold we were bug free until a friend came over from a house that was quote unquote bombed for bed bugs. Is say quote unquote because i went over to that house and saw that there were only roach bombs and were hoarder status way beyond anything i had seen. So id say i have many reasons im freaked out over bugs of any kind. They should all just die except like butterflies.
Lala says
Really don’t have anything to do with fear of bugs, nobody likes bed bugs or fleas
Zoe says
Whenever I see a bug I the shower or when they sneak up on me, I get really tingly and I usually run away in complete and utter fear. Do you think I should see a doc?
Amugot says
Recently, we were supposed to rent an apartment that we didn’t know was infested with cockroaches. Thankfully, I noticed them before we moved fully. Yet we still got one in our luggage when we cancelled the lease and moved back.
My fear had gotten worse a year ago, when I spent 2 months at a relatives house which was also infested by those home wreckers.
Before this, our apartment had a few regulars: a couple wasps(one that stung my mom), occasional centipedes, houseflies, ants(they’re cute), moths(f*&%^$@ scary), crickets(disgusting) etc…
Now, even the thought of a moth, housefly, any bug in general and especially cockroaches make me feel a little short of breath and slightly nauseous. The thought of an insect escaping from my parents attack leaves me in a daze and I have trouble sleeping.
If the insect is gone and i feel confident, ex: kicking a moth out, I feel instant relief.
But if an insect runs away, ex: the cockroach that escaped 10 mins ago, I feel like I’ll lose my breath.
My fear is not that severe but it’s not that light either. It hurts me most when people close to me tell me that I am just over reacting to either get attention or get myself out of trouble.
I wish people become a little more considerate…
Kylie says
My whole life I’ve had a bad experience with bugs. One night I woke up with a jumping spider in my eye. Another day-I almost ate a wasp. My parents just yell and call me a baby when I get scared of things like ants and spiders and moths. My dad especially growing up on a farm he expects me to be like my older brother. I tend to scratch, swat, and pick at myself whenever I see a bug. I also bites my nail pick at my rough (please don’t judge me). I go to therapy for other personal reasons and he has talked to me about obsessive compulsive disorder and I think he may be right now. When I see bugs whether it’s a picture or real thing always gag, tremble,scream,run frantically, and sometimes cry. A while ago I wanted to be a marine biologist but then I found out insects were involved and that was it, no more biology for me. I used to not like to shower with the clear liner in because it had mold, but then I got a new one. I will get so disgusted to the point of not eating sleeping or going outside with friends or family and I often make people kill bugs for me.
Tracy Wolverton says
I feel for you. I am the same way and my husband gets mad at me instead of understanding my fear. I’ve been like this since a child and I really have no control over it. My prayers are with you. God bless. Merry Christmas.
Mythical says
Thank goodness there are others like me, I find bugs just so terrifying and my parents say that I should get over it but I just can’t. I literally tremble when I see a bug, even butterflies! I really want to get over it because its embarrassing when I get scared at school and try to stay away from a bug I see but its really obvious that I’m afraid. I am just so afraid of their little legs and the way they crawl/fly.
kim says
I stumbled on this website, but now i cant stop reading it. Im a young woman, im kind of a loner. The reason is that all my ex friends kind of live in places where bugs are present.. in their houses!! I refuse to visit them, or be around them because of it. They think its ok to live in an infested place, and treat me as though im the problem. Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks.
Angel Huang says
Most of my fear with insects occur when they come right at me, or if they appear out of nowhere. I don’t like touching or being too close to insects, and the thought of them causes me discomfort. My fear has never caused me any issues with my daily functioning. Most of the time a tissue will solve my problem with them. Or you know just walking away (but never in a “can’t leave the house” kind of way).
Recently, I’ve had someone told me that I should seek therapy because of the way I deal with insects. I don’t know. I don’t really see it as a problem to be solved?
Just seeking another opinion.
snowyfriend2 says
I went to therapy twice because I would (and still) scream whenever a bug came by. I still have my parents kill any bug I see. However, if they don’t do so, either I won’t keep my eyes off it or I will frantically try to kill it with something large and heavy (I dented my parent’s vehicle because of a mosquito). I don’t go anywhere outside unless it’s a really short trip, I’m required to go, or it’s snowing outside. However, it’s ultimately your decision whether you go to therapy or not. Any fear can escalate quickly enough to the point where you either don’t want to seek help or it’s hard to get rid of it.
Emmy says
I’m sorry for giggling because I grabbed a wrinkle spray to kill a spider lol
Tori says
My family thinks that it’s REALLY typical for a female to be afraid of bugs and that I’m just being dramatic. But anytime I see one I scream cry and run away. Or even sometimes when a bug would be in my room, I would make someone else kill it for me. That night I would lay in my bed and I CANNOT stop thinking about the saying “where there’s one there’s more ” and I keep thinking that I feel bugs on me and I keep jumping up out of bed because I thought I felt something crawling but there was nothing there. Usually it’s worse right after I see a bug or something but sometimes it’s for NO REASON. I’ll just start freaking out over bugs that aren’t even there. I am even scared of lady bugs, grasshoppers, moths, EVERYTHING. Should I have a serious conversation with my parents about me getting help or is this a phase?
Moira Li says
Definitely. I think it might later get so bad you won’t be able to do what you want in the future.
Humberto says
This also happens to me a lot. I’m really scared of roaches. And any other insect, I just hate them and I’m really scared to be close to one. sometimes i can even hear them bumping into walls, chairs etc when I’m sleeping. My dad sometimes gets mad at me for being scared of roaches. He never takes me seriously when i come running to him for help.
Lara says
Hello, my family acts the same, saying they don’t hurt you and sometimes a sibling will laugh. My parents say it is silly but the bed thing is terrifying and just happened. Last year we had a wasp infestation and this year a HUGE box elder and stink bug infestation. I currently feel tingly and terrified like bugs are covering me. If you are brave enough to talk with your parents you may want to consider it. If it has only been a very short period of time maybe wait to see if it eases up. I have always been like this and it all terrifies me. Good luck :)
Alisha says
My daughter is so scared of all bugs, she hurt herself and others, just trying to get away from the bugs. When she is driving, the smallest type of bug cause her to have a car accident. I really need help for her. Love her mom.
Destiny says
This is exactly what I have! I’ve always been scared to death of bugs for as long as I remember and even talking about bugs is enough to freak me out or make me paranoid. When I just looked at the picture with the bug on it scared me to the point of screaming! 😱
Desiree Tan says
I HATE bugs and one time I was playing a game and then a small bug jumped on my thumb and then I screamed and cried my sister and mother laughed at me. They say I’m having an insect phobia which is correct I’m too scared of bugs and insects.
Kelly says
This is so me. Everytime I see bugs I start screaming and crying and run in every direction to get away from the bugs.
SandyGH says
To live without fear, face it head on is the only way. I am among the norm of society I do not love insects, mainly i don’t want them on me, i am fine if they are around just not on me. The one thing to know is they are not out to get you.
All creatures on the planet have a purpose and path in life. I choose to face it head on, and when i get to the other side i will be more aware, knowledgeable and grounded. Heading to the Amazon Rainforest for 5 night stay in the middle of the jungle. There will be bugs, lots of them and in my treetop bungalow where i will be staying alone.
I will not fear the unknown, instead i will learn about the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. I will come back with the sense of accomplishment, knowledge, awareness . And best of all the experience of a lifetime with memories and stories that will be unforgettable.
The only way to stop your fear is to learn about it and ask yourself why am i afraid of this, is it what i have been conditioned to feel, or did you have a traumatic experience that has stayed with you. Either one it is time to overcome it. Learning is key to understanding your fear. The more you know about Insects, what they do how they live and what they bring to the planet the fear will dissipate. You may not love them or want to be near them but you will be aware and less afraid.
ciana says
My friend has a fear of bugs. At first I thought she was lying, but I found out it was true. I owe her an apology.
Jeff Justice says
What is the proper term for someone with this phobia? An entomophobe? Thanks in advance.
Ruby says
Could I have acarophobia if I get an itching feeling all over my body when I see little creatures such as ants, spiders or flies? Even when someone mention them, I instantly start itching. At one point, I scrubbed myself so hard I bled in the shower. Do I need to see the doc?
Jayden says
Yes
Haven says
Would thinking of a dead insect and not being able to eat afterwards count? Or when i see a dead insect or a picture of one I can’t look at it and when I do I feel a little light headed and I instantly close my eyes or bring my hands to my eyes and is unable to look at it. I also shudder when I see a dead insect, I feel like the images are jumping out at me. This isn’t all the time but usually with big insects, even small ones tend to scare me.
Angely says
Me too I am really scared of them especially spiders and.. a lot of bugs even little ones too . I am dominican and i went there this april and I was in the front and i saw a green bug i think it was a grasshopper or something it flew and i was scared of it. I went to a place that I had to stay in and I was going to the bathroom and when i entered there was a spider. I just froze and ran.. then at night i was afraid to go to sleep.. so i kept on thinking about puppies and things that make me happy and i was curled up like a ball trying to fall to sleep.. but then i saw a spider crawling in a wall i stood up my brothers were scared too because they are afraid of spiders. Like 50% of people my brothers are not afraid of bugs like i am. They are not afraid to pick one up and let it crawl on them. I dont like holding caterpillars or worms. I am not that afraid of worms, but caterpillars just look so creepy.. uhh that reminds me of a story, so i was playing outside when i went back to the house to take a shower. In the living room a caterpillar fell out of my shirt i was so terrified i jumped up.. well there are more stories but before i go i wanna say that. In dominican its hot and the bugs are bigger and there are more bugs than in U.S.A. I used to live in the dominican so I was used to bugs and big creepy bugs like spiders and snakes but now that i live in the u.s.a so now i have the phobia and i dont know how i got it. BYE.
Carolina Vargas says
Is it only when they’re dead? because this happens to me!!
Not me says
I throw up when i see a dead bug or think about one that is near food. In fine with bugs in nature. As long as its not a spider or cockroach. But I cannot handle bugs inside the house. If there is a bug I sit on the couch or a chair with my feet off the floor until someone else takes care of it.
Britney says
So I looked this fear of bugs up because for weeks my 4yr old son has been terrified to leave the house and go outside. He started with worms, now ants, grasshoppers, flies, anything or any bug he sees and I find him in a frantic fit. On top of being concerned that my son is traumatized by bugs, I’m ashamed to admit I’m emotionally at my ends with it myself. Someone, anyone please help me help my son and myself.
anouymaos says
Yes you should definitely see a doc.
Regina says
This whole page definitely describes me! And I think it’s time for me to see a Dr. I have always wondered if doctors or my Dr. will really believe what I tell them. This is so embarrassing for me to even tell my Dr. but it does affect my daily life severely.
Shadow says
I have moderate Entomophobia and Arachnophobia.
When I feel worried about insects, I begin to feel sensations at various points on my body, namely my neck, legs and arms.
nj says
I have a horrible fear of bugs, like I’d rather die than touch a bug.
Taylor says
That is bad you should see a doctor
sydney says
Keeping in touch with this website. I’m disgusted by bugs and terrified – should I see a doctor?
Analis Rosa says
Wow this is so me I hate bugs so much. I’m doing this for a school project and I love it.
jennifer says
This is ALMOST me. What is the word for fear of any bug getting into your ear? I don’t like bugs, but I only fear them if they can get in my ears.
Connor says
Would anyone WANT a bug in their ear?
That’s just common sense you’re good.
Abbi Hidalgo says
I have it all, this page explains me so well and I’m gonna keep in touch with this website.
Tanya Grande says
I also have it all. I can’t even clap a fruit fly to kill it. I hate ants too. I hate butterflies, cockroaches.. any insect or bug. I hate them. I want to be brave to kill them when they are in my house so they don’t get away while I get paper to kill them.