Infest vs Pester - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between infest and pester

is that infest is to inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers while pester is to bother, harass or annoy persistently.

is mischievous; hurtful; harassing.

(en verb)

To inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers

Insects are infesting my basement!

(pathology, of a parasite) To invade a host plant or animal

(en adjective)

(obsolete) mischievous; hurtful; harassing

(Spenser)

* *

* pestre (obsolete)

(en verb)

To bother, harass or annoy persistently.

* badger * bug * hound