Infestation is the state of being invaded or overrun by pests or parasites. It can also refer to the actual organisms living on or within a host. Infestation is the state of being invaded or overrun by pests or parasites. It can also refer to the actual organisms living on or within a host. In general, the term 'infestation' refers to parasitic diseases caused by animals such as arthropods (i.e. mites, ticks, and lice) and worms, but excluding (except) conditions caused by protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which are called infections.