Pests to know in Akron
Termites in Akron
Ohio State entomologists say the eastern subterranean termite is the most common termite in the continental U.S., and Ohio's subterranean termite risk is rated moderate to heavy.[5]
Invasive species reported here
The Ohio Department of Agriculture issued a statewide spotted lanternfly quarantine in February 2026; the pest was first identified in Ohio in 2020.[8]
Climate
Central Akron (ZIP 44308) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b, where the average coldest winter night is -5 to 0°F.[9]
Public agencies that handle pests
- Summit County Public Health has run mosquito control for county residents since 1976, when the program started in response to LaCrosse encephalitis outbreaks in the county.[1]
- SCPH runs 181 mosquito trap sites in Summit County, setting over 500 traps each summer, and ships Culex specimens to the Ohio Department of Health for West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis testing.[1]
- Summit County has no fixed mosquito spray schedule; spraying decisions follow trap surveillance, such as West Nile-positive mosquitoes or a spike in Culex counts, and can start a half hour before sunset.[2]
- When SCPH gets a rodent complaint, it investigates and can place bait where signs of rats are found, but the agency does not bait for mice.[3]
- Summit County Public Health identifies ticks found on people or pets for county residents, usually within one to two business days, but does not test ticks for disease.[4]
Hiring a licensed company
Under Ohio law, anyone applying pesticides for a pesticide business without direct supervision needs a commercial applicator license issued by the director of agriculture.[7]
Free local help
Through the year
- Spring to Fall
- SCPH treats mosquito breeding sites from May through September, inspecting over 1,300 sites covering more than 600 acres, each treated up to three times a season.[1]
- Spring to Summer
- According to Ohio State, eastern subterranean termites in Ohio swarm during spring and early summer, and a swarm is the most common way an infestation is detected.[5]
Sources
- Summit County Public Health, “Mosquito Control.” www.scph.org/pest-control/mosquito-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Summit County Public Health, “Mosquito Spray Schedule.” www.scph.org/pest-control/mosquito-spray-schedule (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Summit County Public Health, “Rodent Control.” www.scph.org/animal-and-pest-control/rodent-control (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Summit County Public Health, “Tick FAQs.” www.scph.org/pest-control/tick-resources (accessed 2026-10-06)
- The Ohio State University Extension (Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine), “Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).” bygl.osu.edu/node/2351 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- The Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), “Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases (HYG-2073).” ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-2073 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Ohio Legislative Service Commission, “Ohio Revised Code Section 921.06: Commercial applicator license.” codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-921.06 (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Spotted Lanternfly.” agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/slf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 44308 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/44308.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
- National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)